Crucial Conversations: Should church musicians get paid? 

His needs was a meal. This is why Satan rules these churches because thier a business. Its for pay, not compensation but pay. So,we're gonna start firing these pastors since its for pay.

Gond me a scripture that backs musicians getting paid?

@@ignatius3079 read NEHEMIAH 10:31-33

@@creativeroom365 thats the old testament. Either your under the law, or your under grace. The old testament is the old covenant. The new is the Law of Christ. You have to choose. Read galatians 2,3,4,5 6. Follow any of the law you have fallen from grace.

@@sonoftheday8249 then you’re saying that churches shouldn’t read any Old Testament? If church can ask for tithing and that was in Old Testament then what you’re talking about?

I agree with your church. Listen brother when these men stand before our Lord,he will tell them "YOU'VE BEEN PAID ALREADY" Dont let that be you. Scarface for our Lord as you been doing he will repay.

Will he tell the electrician the same message as the musician what about the members who only sit in the pew. Will he say these musician actually labor more than 90% of my church every musician can clean the church and pass out flyers and say let the lord use u and many can preach too it's. Very interesting that the one thing that all the other members can't do gets so condemn and is such a topic... 2nd your investing in your musician not paying them church invest in its members and building and God.

I could see truth in both perspectives.

@@goodday104 here is a good question why is a church willing to pay a visiting pastor who comes for a revival which is one week. But have a problem with paying a member who gives his labor 52 weeks to the church the pastors are not jesus charity should start at home it takes time to be even decent on the organ it is way harder than being a plumber and an electrician for the sound and commitment to the church. U can train a plumber in 2 weeks no way u can train anyone to give u sunday's best performances on an hammond organ n 2 weeks.. be blessed

Playing off key will drive members away sounding a hot mess and that's not the musicians speaking this it's the church attendance comparison between levels of pastoring and musicianship... The word keeps you. Keep humble love the lord enjoy life bless others and always be your for you are the one who is judge. And if your heart is right and u belong to God nothing else matters

HELL IS A HORRIBLE PLACE.

@@sonoftheday8249so r u

What makes a musician “professional”? Just bc you are a volunteer doesn’t mean you are less skilled. it could just mean the person heart is I want to give what was given to me.

@@1kaveena I meant to say as a general rule of thumb. Exceptions are never the rule. I am myself am a professional musician and I volunteer for stuff quite frequently.

If I am not mistaken by definition a professional is someone who receives compensation for what they do.

HELL IS A HORRIBLE PLACE.!!!!!!!

There are churches that utilize musicians you see touring the world as volunteers, the only difference is, the church is also a place for them to network and receive other opportunities by those who may attend the church or work at the church. Sad to say, store front churches aren't providing opportunities of this magnitude.

Actually!! There are other people who are taking the time in perfecting whatever lane they are in. Should everyone one get paid now?? If I’m a minister I have to study I may even go to school. I’m taking time out to be better. But if GOD called me and or gave me this gift I have to give my gift to benefit the body of believers. I’m a believer that God will bless the sacrifice

AMEN.

All points are valid few things missing there are a million choir members not a million organist to give the services required other wise every church would have the best organist..... No way 1 member out of 10 singers can do what one great organist does sunday in sunday out....

A skilled singer IS a musician. Their voices are their instruments. They just happened to be born with theirs built in.

Indeed, they MUST BE PAID as well

Thank You!! What other subjects would you like to see discussed?

Thanks greatly! Any other topics you'd like to see discussed?

That is awesome! I think the community of the body of Christ is one of the most valueble aspects of serving.

AMEN.

Nehemiah 13:11-13

Your mixing business gig and church, money was mention a lot in the bible never you find a verse that can apply in to what your saying,, going to church today is becoming a "feel good" show music event with lights and smoke machines, this is something new that just became super important

@@shanneemars4351 the people’s jobs also consisted of herding cattle and tilling the ground so whats your point? Is it that people aren’t levites because they don’t maintain cities because then i can say you aren’t a congregant because you don’t raise cattle its a dumb point to make if that is your point

Well said!!!👏🏾👏🏾

AMEN.

Than the pastor should only be volunteer also. For the kingdom or nothing after all. Also, usher do not have to show up for rehearsals and you don’t have to spend years honing in on the craft of ushering, or clean, or cook. This also means that any professional service should only if ever volunteer at the church... if the church needs to call a plumber, better find one willing to volunteer their services for it is for the Lord... need an attorney to represent the church in court if someone warts to sue for slipping on the ice in the parking lot? That attorney ought to be a volunteer since this is for the house of the Lord.

Yes. Biblically labourers MUST BE PAID

@@jerryKJose so enjoy your reward.

Exactly, well said

PASTORS MOST DEFINITELY SHOULD BE PAID AND THAT’S BIBLE. They feed us spiritual things and they are suppose to eat of our carnal things. That means MONEY.

My sister i totally agree with you, and that word is not the bible its Jesus Christ. People got this thing mixed up. The Bible is The Holy Scriptures. The word of God is his Son in whom all the words of God dwell. Sister I would like for you to find and read the holy scriptures. In this book has 80 books not 66. In it is the 14 books removed by the catholic church and in will explain a lot more.

Thank you! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Realistically, how much do you think a musician gets paid a service on Sundays? Y'all making it seem like it's big baller money being made.

Proof from the Bible?

I agree that many don't understand and see the background work it takes for learning material, attending rehearsals, and even the years we spent working on our craft to get to our level. At the same time, I believe ministries can mold how and what they choose to focus on, but if so the expectation of mega ministry quality should not be forced on their departments.

So sad! I’ve been a dancer for over 20 years and it’s been a taxing commitment. Do I get paid? NO! I’ve had proper professional training, I’ve spent thousands on garments and flags, traveled, etc. So what is this arrogant attitude of being paid all about? Low, you have your reward.

😂😂😭

That is indeed NOT AN EXCUSE for not paying a musician for his TIME, EFFORT, KNOWLEDGE etc.

Let me be devil's advocate for a quick second. I'm assuming you don't play an instrument? Let's say you do. If you played guitar, the average cost of an intermediate guitar is $450. Let's say you have pedals for effects, the average cost for ONE effects pedal is $100. Most guitar players have 5. Cables depending on preference can be $30 and up. Average cost of a guitar amp is $500. So as is, we are looking at about $1200 in cost for just the guitar player. If all he is asking for is $150 a sunday that will cover transportation to rehearsal and back home and to church and back home, plus for upkeep and maintenance on the gear they use, is he really tearing up the music department? And who is walking into a 25 member church and asking for a salary? As musicians, the services we render are unto the Lord. Anytime I get a call to play at a local church and their is compensation, it's fair based on the time constraints and what they are asking of me. NOBODY gets rich playing in church, so you can kill that narrative. I've had the pleasure of working in churches since I was 17, I can tell you this, I don't look at that compensation as my way to retire early. And when it comes to mega churches, for some you are contracting yourself to a full time position so the opportunity to explore any other musical opportunities isn't allowed based on responsibilities. Lastly, music is just as important to God as the preached word. I've seen demons casted, bondage broken, and lives brought to Christ from just music. We can't be quick to make statements without looking at ALL of the things that surround it.

Tell me where in the Bible ppl used their gifts and weren’t paid in some form! In the Bible days ppl were hosted fruits , food etc but obviously in the year 2021 those things aren’t used to live off therefore it would be money. Stop using god as an excuse to be indecent

You are right. One of the men said, "In 2021 a different expectation is required" This type thinking is wide spread and reflects what we see in majority of churches - a conglomerate enterprise that celabrate sensationalism. It may benefit pastors to sit the entire auxiliary down and let everyone pat their feet, clap their hand and sing to the radio to rid this nonsense. The heart is too abstinent.

As a PK, I grew up serving in the church playing piano, singing, and leading the worship ministry, FOR FREE. I did not mind doing it for free either, because its unto God. However, I was reaching a point in my life where I was struggling financially. I had pastors telling me that I should not get paid, that God will reward me. I got a few secular jobs by God's grace I worked it for years, but found myself to be miserable. I did this while serving in the church. I went back to school and finished my Bachelors degree hoping I would get a secular job that would allow me to make a living in which I could stand on my own feet. However, it did not work out. I kept asking God why. I'm doing everything that I can. I'm serving faithfully without taking a dime from the church, but I'm struggling and can't even find.a decent job that will help me to even afford a studio apartment. and YES, I was tithing. Long story to cut it short, God opened the door for me to step into full time ministry. I almost did not step into it, because I was CONVINCED that I needed to work a full time job and serve in the church. It is in the full time ministry position that I've been able to stand on my feet, by HIS grace, get married, and start a family. The pay isn't spectacular, but God is good! I think it's very dangerous to just say and assume that everyone should not be paid and just get a regular job.

If that logic doesn’t fly with the utility companies or any craftsman that’s contracted by the church to do repairs to the building then it shouldn’t fly with the musicians, custodial staff, secretary ET see. To your point a talent doesn’t require compensation it requires support however, when the talent becomes a discipline it then becomes a a skill. Skills are cultivated because of discipline and skills should be compensated.

For sure this comment is a HUGE part of the issue. In essence gifts can be used in any spectrum. I play for churches, I’m a worship pastor, and I also sing/play in other genres of music. Classical, being the main one. Do I need to go back to the “altar” because I perform a Mozart piece? No. Or if I happen to sing a wedding and perform a song by Luther Vandross. From elementary school through college I was trained and groomed to do what I’m doing now. I expect compensation for that. Even the church I serve at I was sought after because of the skill AND demonstration of my anointing to exhort.

Lol

@@sirjazlivs Thank you!

Have a conversation with a musician and you will see that there are more of us who will serve and help out a ministry for the love of God and building the kingdom.

People like you is why churches are drying up. Quit trying to God guilt musicians because YOU don't think they should get paid.

This is a topic, because there are ministries that value solid musicianship and worship leading as a means of effectively leading people to the Lord through song.

Nonsense, learn the holy Bible. It is not your subjective notions that matter here