This is a subject that is discussed with most Pastors that we meet. Please share your honest thoughts.

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Hello Dear Woman of God.

My eyes filled with tears reading your heartfelt remarks. I was raised in the south and spent many years in the mid-west and west coast. I haven't had the privilege to travel to the east coast yet.

In the south, one would say that there is more than one way to skin a cat. LOL. Praise God.
Idealy, you absolutely need a minister of music[Overseer] and you need someone who is
able to minister in music.[instrumentalist] Hmmm...Let me explain. It would work better if one
person headed both of these efforts, but they can be divided until the right one come along.

Overseer- Try to locate someone who is musically inclined, not neccessarily a musician.
Maybe a singer or director who can lead the song service, teach harmony or parts, encourage
participation and select appropriate songs. If you can find a musician to rehearse the group;
the overseer can get them through a service by singing acapella. Raise up a group who love
to sing with or without music. Some musicians are attracted to churches who are self-sufficient.
God is faithful to finish the work He began in you, so know this current circumstance may be a
time of preparation and not punishment.

Instrumentalist - Musicians are out there. You might have a pastor in the area who has a few who might be able to help off and on. And thru this connection they can help spread the word that this is an excellent opportunity. Musicians listen to other musicians. Get with a musician and carefully write down the basic things that are needed in a job description. A good understanding is so vital to a great working relationship. Visit local programs and pass out business cards. We they call, tell them what you're looking for. If they are effective in the worship service but can only be available for an hour, because of other obligations; hold them to their word. When they come to rehearse, gather the saints around them and prayer for a greater commitment and contribution. LOL Publish an ad in all the help wanted section as you can find or afford. In this process: Never settle for junk. Expell undesirables. Explain vision. Expand goals. Express need. Expect compliance. Expend what's reasonable. Examine everything. Be open to the move of God. Consider other races as well.

Keep talking and praying. Help is on the way. Receive that word. This is a test.
God is going to show out in your behalf. Walk in victory. Amen
Thank you Min. Marshall. I needed to hear your words of encouragement and instruction. You're the first person who have actually given me steps to try. As you know, a pastor's plate is full 24x7 and I just can't think of everything. Today is Pentecost Sunday. I decided to check e-mail and other messages before leaving for church. Your response was there. Feels like the Holy Spirit stopped by.

Blessings

Dr. Carol Lawrence (My friends call me ZseZse)
Morning ZseZse,

That's a beautiful spelling. LOL. Praise God. We all need to smile more.
On Sunday morning, I had to be at service by 8:00 AM. Preferably earlier, but definantly by 8:00 AM. I had misplaced my keys. I typically never loose anything, so I searched the most obvious places first. Then, I searched everywhere. With only minutes to arrive on time; I decided to ask God for help. It may sound silly, but that very moment I remember where they were. I had left them in my raincoat. God is Good. He's always on time. He knows our needs. He knows the desires of our hearts. He knows that what He's placed in you cannot be dependant on the gifted. Preach the word of God. Teach the will of God. And when the gifted show up, give them the order of service. Amen.

God has a way of showing up and showing out just like He did on the day of pentecost, so go ahead and get ready. While thousands were gathering for a ceremony downstairs, a remnant was being prepared for a testimony upstairs. Hallelujah! He will come through for you. Continue to prepare hearts for harvest and souls for service. I thank God for you and all that you are doing in His Kingdom. Walk in Victory. You are blessed and highly favored.
Dr Z..I want to call out all those in New Jersey...many of you musicians have been looking for a place.......well........this woman of God needs somebody...today......for some of you,this is the blessing you've been praying for....it might not be all you want right now....but I declare in the name of Jesus....this woman has a calling on her ministry,and whatever flows from God through her,will flow to you...she has a heart for worship and for musicians...be a blessing to this shepherd and I know God will bless you back.....if you can't do it,you know some other folk who are annointed and gifted and saved....get on your cell phones.start e-mailing folk......let's beat the bushes to help this Pastor....Pastor if there is a local Gospel Music of America chapter in your area,check with them...they are usually full of musicians,and people that know musicians-Be Blessed
Hey Rev. Luckett,

How are you? The spirit and context of your comments is refreshing.
I would like to address your last inquiry, If I may..........

You said, "Many musicians play for multiple churches. Some don't even committ to a church. Why is that? I don't know."

I can't speak for everybody. But once upon a time, when I went away to college; I only wanted to play for youth and young adult choirs. After about 3 months, I located 4 churches who were looking for a musician for their youth or young adult choir. Each week, I would travel and rehearse and play the following Sunday. It really didn't matter how far or how much they paid me. This is where I was as a musician and I found a productive way to fulfill my needs of being saturated in the music that I loved to play. It was a blessing to me as well as to them. My interests and motivation matched my reception. I had no family obligations and as long as it didn't affect my school work; it was all good.

Not one time did anyone question my motives, my commitment or my effectiveness. I did what I was asked to do and more. I opened each rehearsal with a song, a prayer and a scripture lesson. The pastors and deacons were encouraged to participate. It was a golden age. I felt as much apart of these local churches as I did the one I grew up in, which my father pastored.
I paid tithe back into each church and gave offerings. The fellowships that were created from my efforts is also another point. One church was Cogic, One was AME and two were Baptist. We got together from time to time and crossed denominational lines. This was unheard of back in the day.

As long as we communicate in the beginning about the expectations, we can avoid unnecessary problems. We have to repair the fence before the cow get out, so to speak. And keep in mind, there always room for improvement and an opportunity for updates. If there are undesirable behaviors from the music staff; please be proactive and speak to the ones who do the hiring. The code of conduct need to be dealt with in the beginning. And where ever the compromises are, somebody may need to inform the others. It is never a musicians job to define his/her authority or explain to others what his/her working arrangement are. These things should be presented to all involve by the one who is assigned to manage it.

This is just food for thought: I've learned that it's never too late to say I'm sorry or thank you.
And so, Let me say thank you for the many posts you've made. I found them encouraging.
Hey Rev. Luckett,
You have a humble and honest spirit. It comes across very well in your earlier post.
Your pastor is extremely blessed to have a person of integrity on his staff.

I pray that God's bountiful blessing are bestowed on you, your family, your pastor and your ministry. Amen.

Thanks
Minister...your need has touched me...and I will be praying that God sends....the right instrument........you see the person becomes the proverbial instrument that is being used by God.....and I know that there is someone out there.....you just haven't caught up with them yet...but I praying that your need will meet your solution.And Min.Trae said it very well.......don't settle for just anybody....and furthermore I believe if everyone who writes in this post will pray and intercede on your behalf...God will move...in fact I believe He already has......your destination will soon meet up with your destiny....and anyone else who posts here that knows other musicians in her part of the country,let them know what she needs,sometimes all you have to do is speak the word and it will come to past...let's put the message out there....everybody that posts here.and Pastor...keep your head up,because I know God will send you what you need-Be Blessed
if one takes the average salary of the minister of music, and divides that salary by the actual hours worked, most ministers of music make an hourly salary greater than most other church personnel, including the pastor.
Mr. Walter T. Richardson.

Sir, are you trying to start something? LOL
You may know some musicians that your remarks serve well. But allow me remind or inform you of some over-looked truths. First of all, I can't say most musicians 'anything', because I don't know most. But what I can say is, the musicians that I know would differ greatly with your remarks. If you're going to evaluate salary based on hours worked, pleased consider the following.

1. Service[s] time - prepatory time before service and meetings following service.
2. Choir rehearsal[s] time. Include all choirs and multiply by their rehearsal timeframe.
3. Soloist rehearsal[s] time. Working with lead singers, teaching and coaching.
4. Praise Team rehearsal[s] time. If the sing every Sunday, how often to they rehearse?
5. Musician rehearsal[s] time-At church - How often do they meet and for how long?
6. Musician rehearsal[s] time - At home. These hours are invisible to most. I spend about 15 hours.
7. Time spent looking for new or old music. I'm always looking for music for somebody.
8. Time spent listening to new or old music. I evaluate tracks and CDs for feasibility quite frequently.
9. Time spent practicing new or old music. Prepairing or refreshing memory ahead of time.
10. Time spent playing or enjoy your gift. Simply playing songs and having private worship.

11. Correcting problems, counseling the weary and worn, calming confusion; so we can practice.

Based on your remarks, you have no idea........
The musicians that I know would probably add more to this list. If the musicians that you know don't compare favorably to these items; then you've been dipping water from the wrong bucket. LOL

Everybody is not a church musician. Some can be converted, if they are willing and are mentored.
I will never forget what my Grandmother use to say, which is: "You can't make a silk purse from a sows ear". An accomplished, brillant, committed, dedicated, faithful and gifted musician is worth his/her weight in gold. Let's keep it real, Sir.

Thanks and be blessed.
you are absolutely right; i was trying to start something, and i hope everyone read your remarks. by the way, i am a senior pastor serving in miami,florida. but for years i was a minister of music. i teach music in the national baptist congress, and have taught music in the university system. again, i was trying to spark some conversation, and it looked like my comments yielded some great results, even at 2am.
Good Evening Pastor Richardson,
My hat is off to you. All things considered; you're a gentleman and a scholar.
As a young musician, my early days would definately fall under evangelism.
Now, I'm comfortable saying that I am a pastoral musician.

There is something very simplistic and satisfying about going into a setting and teaching and organizing efforts. And then before we become too familiar or too common with each other; it's time to move on to the next episode, similar to what an evangelist would do after preaching for a revival.

Tell me from your stand point:
1. What can Pastors or Leadership do to encourage excellence and enlist expertise in their music ministry. My plumber might be saved, but that's not a requirement to work on my toilet.

2. What can I do, [Minister of music/Teacher/Mentor] or any other older musician do, to bridge the gap between the younger and older musicians or Pastors and congregants; based on appropriate music for worship.

Some of the younger pastors are now requesting the Boom-Boom music because it is attractive to the younger congregation and are forcing musicians to abandon hymns, anthems, spirituals, choral, traditional gospel and by doing so are not meeting the needs of the older congregation, in my opinion.

Speak a word, Doc. I'm all ears. I realize that each congregation is different and all pastors are different. How do I explain these points to my pastor? And Should I? How can I maintain my obedience when in my heart it feels wreckless and wrong?

All responses are welcomed.

Thanks
Minister Marshall:
i will, at a more opportune time, answer your inquiries. I am preparing now for the National Baptist Congress, which will be held next week in Detroit. I teach a course to Ministers of Music, called "Creative Problem Solving in Music Education." As soon as i have completed my work, i will get back to you. you raise some very important points which deserve comment. God bless!!

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