Whats you thought on the pay for Musicians

[DR.Marietta Brown]

Do you think Musicians are paid to much for there services. Do you think they should be held accountable to a local Pastors.

[Krishunna Pearson]

I love what you just said, I am in the music ministry in my church and i haven't ever given much thought to being paid for what i do. but I don't see anything wrong with that.
i just feel music ministry is about leading people into the presence of the Lord. The musician should first be willing to do what they do because they love the Lord and they love the people they are leading.
The musician should be submitted to spiritual authority, attending church regularly and growing in the things of God.
This is just me but i think that pay for being a musician should come after serving in that area for free. It should come as a reward from God himself. There is nothing wrong with going to other churches to play even for pay, but ministry should always be done from a heart of greatfulness and servanthood.
A music minister should be grounded in the things of the Lord and held accountable to his or her spiritual father even for the things that they do at other churches.
A music minister should be so committed that his or her pastor will have the authority and permission to stop him or her from playing at the local church and also at any other church.
I don't think ministry can be done effectively without accountability and responsibility, a musician should have to give an account for their spiritual lives , because going before God's people is spiritual warfare and breakthroughs and deliverance are on the line.
Talent and skill won't breakthrough the gates of hell, however a heart truely committed to God and full of the anointing will and that is what music ministry is all about.
Creating an atmosphere where the people can feel God and receive their healing. No matter how good you play or sing, it still takes the power of God and He won;t bestow His power on just anyone.God bless

[DR.Marietta Brown]

TO:Krishunna Pearson, After months of reading the comments, the recent comments are still coming in and we praise God.Your comments and the spirit you wrote them in were a blessing . Praise God for all the great Musicians that have a heart for God, there Pastor, there local Church and the Ministry God has entrusted them with. Continue to remain humble and in the same mindset.

[JNI Publishing [ Deangelo McCoy]]

I know this was an earlier post .. But I love this response and is the first one that i've seen and read in the few pages I've read ..

I truly do believe that it is an earned reward based on skill, time served, faithfulness and growth. Just as ministers have to sit under an elder minister, I believe that musicians should be held to the same standards. We tend to, as a body, forget that musicians are ministers as well. Some step up to the position, and others don't, but the fact still remains that its a ministry position and the people in the position should be held to those standards.

As a Minister of Music I have learned from others, through mistakes and successes that I will not offer a payment for musical services until the person has shown themselves "worthy of his hire". Some would say that skill, talent and experience would make them "worthy", but I am looking for a MINISTER of music, not just any mere musician. That would mean that there are standards to uphold and maintain.

LOL all in all, I do believe that musicians are an important part of the worship service, and ministry as a whole, but they are also held to the same standards as other ministers of the gospel. Only through faithfulness, diligence, spiritual growth and accoutability will we raise up ministers of music who understand the need for the anointing beyond just a gift.

[Pastor Lorenzo Edwards]

I have had two musicians in the past 4yrs. The first had some problems so he wanted to get paid a couple of weeks in advanced. I did it and have not seen the brother. I believed in him. Took him and his family out to dinner and he disappeared on me. The second was a good musian. And he worked with us. I was paying most of his salary out of my pocket. So I could not keep him. They really need to take there gift and bless people with it. But like I said I stopped looking. The pay just to much. The bad thing about it the church will help pay the musician but when it comes to paying the man that gives the word. Than that is a problem in some cases
My experience.

[Apostle Daryl Townes]

TO PASTOR LOCKETT-I FOUND JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE A MEMBER OF CHURCH DOES NOT MEAN THEY WILL BE COMMITED THEY MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND THEY ARE COMMITED TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST THERE IS ON INSECURITY I AM COMMITED TO MY CHURCH AND I HAVE BEEN THE MINISTER OF MUSIC FOR 12YR AND I HAVE MINISTER IN MUSIC FOR 40YR AND NO MATTER WHERE I AM CALLED TO PLAY I LET THEM KNOW I MUST CHECK MY HOME CHURCH CALENDER FIRST AND IF AM AVAILABLE I WILL BE THERE AND AS ALWAY TELL PEOPLE MY WORD IS MY BOND

[DR.Marietta Brown]

Bless you Elder Townes.Your comments were such a blessing, From your comments, you are a MInister of Music we all are praying for. Stay true to your calling.

[DR.Marietta Brown]

So so true.We are not bashing Musicians but we believe there needs to be a move of the spirit of the Lord to raise up and nuture and teach Godly submissive Musicians that will submit to God and a Local Church. and Pastor. There should not be such a shortage of Musicians Nationwide.

[Minister Paul Youngblood]

All of the churches that do pay,as far as I know of,have a set amount of what they will pay,and what they won't pay...regardless to how good you may think you are.But in turn it also means that the church has a certain "business"structure that they will not deviate from.And this is what I am talking about where we have to be able to compromise and work together.There are some musicians out there that are over-paid......I know they are.....as well as those who are underpaid for what they do.There is a new publishing for 2009 out of a book that outlines every salaried position in the Church,secretaries,etc...you name it....that position is in there.It's based on demographics of the city and state,level of education,church size,financial contributions of the church according to monies raised,and it basically let's you know what you should and should not pay for musicians,Minister of Music,and others.And let me say this...you can't raise a musician...God has to do that....but you can help discern whether or not someone is able,or has the talent for that part of the ministry,and....help make sure that they have the tools available to them,to be educated and trained and possibly stay with your church...I remember Dr.Brown mentioned something about folk staying at the same place,or the same Church..sometimes the talents of musician,out grow the Church where they are at...it is the Pastor's responsibility to build the Church through the vision that God gives them for that particular body...not the musician...if they want to stay and help grow with that ministry..then that should be their choice....I think sometimes we look at commitment in the wrong aspect....I mean....what would have happened if Jesus would have stayed with Mary and Joesph????....in retrospect..I think the question should be.....what are you offering as a Pastor to make a musician...or for that matter.....ANYBODY!!! to want to stay under your leadership????these are the hard questions that must be asked-Be Blessed

[Pastor Lorenzo Edwards]

Min. Youngblood is that book available?
About the churches should pay. Let me know please.

[Minister Paul Youngblood]

Yes Pastor Edwards...I will send you the title of the book and where you can get it.

[Min. Tullyvan]

>God bless you Minister Youngblood.

I commend you on your very well written comments. Give me a chance to tell it like it is. You're trying to explain house principles to Field Negroes. I come against storefront mentalities. There will always be Elder So n So, from Mt. Burning Bush Hold My Mule; who tries to get deep. I have also served as a musician for decades. Many denominations, Non denominations, several races and mixed race congregations. There are some situations that are unique to only "US". You probably see where I'm headed, but hold on a minute. I'm trying to help you. We, some of "US" want something for nothing. And then have the nerve to talk about it, when it doesn't pan out.

I can name 20 pastors right now, who cannot explain what they want the musician to do in writing. The same, want you to read their lips during service and after service, "Dey Aint Got Two Words to Say to You." If you take charge, you'll become a threat. If you sit back, you'll be label uncommitted. If you bring up the conversation about money, you'll be told that you are greedy, money hungry, only doing for the money and ripping the church off. Sometimes, you can't win for loosing. I've learned that sometimes one has to do like Peter did in Acts 18:6 - And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

One can be so dedicated and committed that they abandon the needs of their family trying to fullful the requests of church folk. And as soon as one explains their own needs for stability or limitations in availabiliy; everybody wants to get spiritual. It is a shame the way we conduct business. If churches don't believe musicians should be compensated, then remove your ad from the help wanted column. Pray about your needs. Sing acapella or a track in the meantime.

If musicians want to be limited to their own local church, that's great. But it's also a personal preference. As a child, I was a church musician and pastored by my father. He drug me to revivals on school nights and I followed our choir through out the year to all kinds of services.
No a dime they gave me. The gift that I prayed for - This gift that defined who I was and who I would become - This thing that was born into my spirit that brought others so much joy; because it wasn't properly managed and used, I saw it as a curse and not a blessing.

If your mechanic says this will charge you $200, don't get spiritual. Pay it or go find someone else; like uncle Ben who has no training, but a good heart.

One final point: I have played for people who were pennyless. The told me upfront. They asked me for help. The showed me their vision. The God in me bore wittness to the spirit in them. I help them every chance I get. I told my pastor about the fellowship and he's fallen in love with them as well. But if he didn't, that would be his personal problem. Not mine.
I don't have time for a Jim Jones. Amen.

[Apostle Daryl Townes]

I AM A MUSICIAN AND I DONT ASK FOR MUCH BUT THE SCRIPTURE DOES SAY THE LABOR IS WORTHY OF THEIR HIRE I BELEIVE MUSICIAN SHOULD SET THEIR FEE ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE CHURCH AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM WHICH MOST OF TIME PASTOR DONT MAKE THAT CLEAR I PLAY FOR CHURCHES FOR 40 YRS AND MOST OF THE PASTORS WHAT TO GIVE YOU A GOD BLESS AND BE FAITHFUL BUT THAT DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THE EXPENSES OF THE MUSICIAN