"Should Church Musicians Be Paid"

This is one blog that is easy to write. The answer is "Yes", absolutely unless they opt to volunteer their time and some musicians do. I think the bigger question is how much should they be paid? That answer is based on the job description and the economical status of the employee and the employer. I remember this debate being heavy in my youth especially in the more charismatic churches. Well actually it wasn't, if you were a musician in the Pentecostal church you were not going to be paid. The philosophy was you (the musician) were supposed to volunteer your time and talent for the Lord and the Lord is going to bless you as a result. This debate is still a heavy one in our christian churches. Today there are many who believe that paying musicians is terribly wrong and on the flip side their are many musicians who refuse to do anything for free.

I am not going to quote biblical scriptures on the reasons why I think musicians should be paid because I have had the experience of hearing preachers and church folk twist the Gospel up and down to make it fit their perspective on the situation. I will say that in the OT musicians were NOT paid but their needs were met by the Temple while they were working. The Temple provided shelter, food etc.  In this day that would equal to mortgage, car note, insurance, retirement, clothes and food. Who would need a check if this were taking place? However that would be ever so costly wouldn't it? So compensation would be the most logical solution. 

I think what most people do not fully understand is the amount of skill and time it takes for a person to become a skilled musician yet a alone a skilled church musician.  Many people like myself have gone to school, studied and received degrees in order that we might perfect our craft. Then their are some who never went to school but through experience and mentorship have become excellent musicians sometimes better than the ones who went to school. It take equal amount of time and effort to become a skilled musician as it does becoming a preacher or Pastor. I know that's a controversial statement because many Pastors do NOT see musicians as equals in any way but that's more of a philosophical belief then a biblical one. 

Church musicians are not equal to deacons, nurses, trustees or any one else. You can't wake up one day and decide to be a musician. It's a gift from God that some have from birth and others develop later on in life. You can't go to a few training courses and learn to be an excellent musician. IT'S HARD WORK.  Some of us just make it look easy because we've been doing it for so long.  Now if your in the Black Church you most likely will have to play, sing and direct at the same time unless you have other persons in the church who assist you in the other areas.

As I mentioned earlier, churches should compensate musicians based on their(the churches) needs, economical status and musicians qualifications. If your church cannot pay a musician, for whatever reason,  to play for your church then you should consider other options unless you have someone who is willing to donate their time and talent to the church which is perfectly fine. I am in awe of the musicians who have the financial resources to not have to ask for compensation from the church. If I could play for free I would. Many churches think that musicians are money-hungry freaks that go to the highest bidder and some are but the majority of us are Disciples of Christ and we wanna see the ministry flourish. However we have needs to and they must be met. Many of us have outside jobs as well as church jobs trying to keep our families afloat. My father always told me to have an extra job because churches can flip the script on you in a heartbeat and you will be out of work and money. I pass that on to you young musicians who are relying on the church for your well being. YOU BETTER GET A DAY JOB. (LOL)  

Lastly, if the church has enough money to pay the Pastor,  the electric company, the water company, the insurance, gas, and the accountant (all who provide services for the church) then they SURELY ( I feel the organ coming in right now) they can compensate the Levite in the temple who provides the sweet melodies of Heaven here on earth. 

(There are many who read these blogs but don't leave comments. Please leave your comments. It helps us as a body to engage in these meaningful discussions)

Peace, 

Phillip 

"Musician vs. Pastor" -Round 1

Sometime between the 80's and 90's there was a shift in the Black Church concerning the role of the Musician/Minister of Music in the church. When I was growing up, the musician/director was just that. They came and played/directed the choir and then the preacher would preach and there was minimal confusion because it seemed like everyone knew their role in the ministry and worship service. I could not remember a time when I was growing up that their was noticeable confusion between the Pastor/leadership and the Musician/Minister of Music or Director.

We are in an age now where, in some of our churches, one can see and feel power struggles going on in worship. The Musician wants to preach and the Pastor wants to direct the choir and tell the musician/director how to play/sing and direct. We have gotten so self-centered in our approach to worship that we have forgotten that the worship service is about our Praise/Worship and service to God and the salvation of lost souls. We've traded those commands in for the longing of "Self Glory" and "Recognition". Also, their is this other underlying thought that if the Spirit doesn't move when it's my turn to shine then it must not be present today or the people didn't come with a mind to worship today. lol


Pastor's and musicians need to understand that  they both hold significant roles in the worship and servitude to God and infighting doesn't help or enhance anything. Now infighting is different from disagreements. Disagreements are sometimes healthy and often lead to a greater understanding between the Pastor and Musician. Ultimately the Pastor is the Spiritual leader of the church and is in charge of the spiritual health of the congregations he/she serves . The musician should respect the Pastors role and wishes concerning worship and try to assist the Pastor in carrying out the vision that has been laid out. If there is any discrepancy regarding the musicians willingness or ability to carry it out then changes need to be made.  However that does not mean the Pastor has the right to use the musician as a stepping stone for his/her(the Pastors) glory.

Musicians should be clear in what their role(s) are in a particular church. If the Pastor asks you to play, direct and lead Praise and Worship then that's what you should do with all of your heart. Notice the Pastor did not ask you to preach or teach "Sunday School" during worship. That's the Pastor's job. The Pastor wants you (the musician) to lead worship and usher Gods people into the presence of the Lord with accuracy.  Pastors you should trust your musicians to do the job you assigned for them to do and not attempt to do it for them, or in some cases, with them. Even if you were a choir director yourself, back in the day, you should still allow your musician/director to do their job and if the Spirit leads, then you jump in on the reprise(my opinion). If the only people you hire are the ones you can fully control then your are an insecure leader.  


The churches that have successful music ministries are the ones where;
1. Everyone understands their role and open dialogue is welcomed
2. No one individual is above reproach including the Pastor
3. Visions and Roles are understood and accepted by all parties involved

The Hiring of a Church Musician Vol 1 (From The Church's Perspective)

Music plays such an important role in our worship that hiring the right or wrong Musician, Minister of Music or Director could move your ministry forward or backwards for years (in some cases). Whoever is doing the hiring in your church should have a clear vision on where the ministry God has blessed your church with is going. Without that answer you have no idea who to hire. In most cases, the Pastor has the responsibility to share that vision with the potential candidates.  The Pastor or Leadership should never hire someone just based off of ability or popularity. There should be open dialogue about personal and spiritual things concerning both the Pastor and Musician. Every decision made concerning worship in the church should be a spiritual decision.You (Pastor and/or leadership) should be clear about your expectations, needs and your personality as a leader and/or congregation. You should investigate the spiritual and musical strengths and weaknesses of your potential applicants.

For some this is a whole new level of relationship. Back in the day it was just "I need a musician and this is what  I am or am not paying" and you hired the 1st one available. No talk of vision or ministry. Of course salary/benefits is a major issue. It's important to be open and honest about what you can afford before you waste your time and the interviewees time with frivolous conversation. Musicians/Directors wanna know "How Much". That's not a greedy question. Its a necessary question that often gets answered last (Oh how frustrating). Most musicians, that I know of, really care about the needs of the church but they also wanna know about the payment as well. 

Pastors, Leaders don't hire anyone you are not willing to support and trust as a leader or future leader. You should hire someone that you are going to respect and vice versa. 

Every hire, unless you have previous history with the Musician/Director, should be on a trial (60 to 90 day) period so that if things don't work out you can get out of the arrangement. Sometimes you have to search and pray hard and long for that person(s) to come your way but it's well worth the wait. Just ask the Pastors or Leaders who are happy with their Music Ministry leaders.  They will tell you that the marriage between Pastor and Musician can be wonderful when two are in agreement and operating correctly.

Phillip Carter