Musicians--Volunteer or paid?

In a church that has over around 300 people, you almost HAVE to have paid positions. When you reach churches with 2,000 members, you add even more ministers. There is just so much ministry that needs to take place that laymen just cannot handle all of it. Someone has to organize, plan, delegate, and train - and it has to be a full-time thing. From personal experience, I can tell you that laymen are not enough to lead even 50 middle and high school students, and at our church we have 300 on the roll!

And whether people here like it or not, a church with less than good music just isn't as attractive to the lost than those who do it well. I am sure that the previous sentence perhaps offended some people here, but it is a true statement. Matter of fact, there are some devout men and women of God who have a hard time worshipping in churches where the music is unorganized or even bad.

I do believe that if we examine the times of the Old Testament that we will see that there are men whose sole responsibility and career was to be a worship leader. They, too, got paid to lead Israel in worship.

 

hmmmmm it might be just me, but the sound of a Church with 2,000 members that doesn't have enough laymen capable of leading something really worries me...Unless they are all very young Christians themselves?

Wellll, I like good music, but still enjoy playing guitar myself now and then..

...And if we look at the New Testament we see God's people are supposed to be a "royal priesthood" Then again, God told the Israelites if they obeyed Him they would be a "kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:5-6). I wonder if that is why the Church is so slow now...hmmmm...Might be worth a thread.

Pete

 

hmmmmm it might be just me, but the sound of a Church with 2,000 members that doesn't have enough laymen capable of leading something really worries me...Unless they are all very young Christians themselves?
</font>[/QUOTE]That's not it at all. It's simply a matter of organizational logistics. To organize all the laymen, a church our size needs people to facilitate them. If you've been a member of a church this size, it'd make perfect sense!

SEC

 

I've not responded before now... because I didn't want to fuel the fire. I don't answer now to argue or to fuel the debate, merely to present my reasons for what I do.

I am an ordained minister of the Gospel. I believe very strongly that God called me to the ministry which He has laid out before me. Being raised in a home where music was very important (my father was a band director and my mother was a choir director) I have always been a part of the music ministry of whatever church we were a part of. My father and I were ordained in the same ceremony, and are both serving in Ministry positions in Baptist churches here in Texas.

All that to say... I believe that God called me to the ministry. Not to the MUSIC ministry... that is the tool I use most to reach people with the Gospel. I try to lead worship in a way that points to the throneroom of God, inviting the Spirit of worship to abide, and inviting all in attendance to join with us. I am modestly paid, because this is my full-time job. But I don't consider myself a "professional Christian" as some have purported here.

I, like everyone else, am a worshipper first and foremost. The fact that I get paid to lead worship, rehearse and direct the choir, administrate the children's choir, administrate the AWANA program, guide and lead the adult Sunday School teachers... this is not the point. I am thankful that I can get paid for ministry. Just my humble opinion.

 

I would do my job for free--and have done it for free.

I like getting paid for things I love doing.

 

Ours does!! Of course, it might help that he double majored in music and Bible at Philadelphia College of Bible. He plays trumpet and piano. Yep, quite talented my Dad...umm...Pastor is.

 

Are we saying then that just because a person gets paid, that perfectionism, professionalism, and improper worship occurs? Who are you to judge my heart?

 

I absolutely agree. But, we live in a day and age and culture in which people just don't come to church looking for something - most of them anyway. Even in the Bible Belt, those who are unchurched are not apathetic anymore - many are downright hostile. Our church is about to have a Patriotic Celebration. It is somewhat complicated, but not overly so. The first half of our program is patriotic, while the second is specifically Christian. We will then give the Gospel message, and conclude with "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory." If this year is similar to those in the past, about sixty percent of the congregation, I think, isn't part of our church. Even more important, about ten-twenty percent of those who come are unchurched. The Patriotic Celebration is a great way for them to get them to a place where they can hear the Gospel.

Our church does music well. Our minister of music, Brian, however, is more concerned about leading in worship than sounding pretty. If the musicians are in place who have been gifted by the Father, and if those musicians are committed to giving their best to God in leading in worship, then we will sound good. But it won't be a hollow sound.

Hollow sounds trouble me - music that sounds wonderful, but the focus is all on the musicians and not on Jesus Christ. So I guess, I do agree with you on this point, but I still think that those who lead worship have a responsibility to do it well.

And you are right - true worship is infinitely more important than performance.

 

Sorry Travelsong,

I interpreted your post as an attack on me. I apologize. Could just have been too early in the morning. I am a salaried minister of music (and education) and I guess it just ruffled me a little to think someone might have been questioning my motives. But when it comes down to it, this body of believers has decided to employ someone to lead worship and guide the music ministry here at this church. I'm thankful, humbled, grateful and blown away that they would have me here.

 

Hey, wait a minute! Psalms is a whole book of songs that preach the love of God. Beautiful musical arrangements and large choirs preach the Gospel, too, sometimes better than the preacher! If you don't believe me, ask any Minister of Music. It's unfortunate when we downplay the importance of music in worship. It's pretty sad when someone chooses to serve God with music, then spends 6 years in college studying sacred music, and the most they're likely to see is $10 an hour for two hours on a Sunday.

 

In my opinion noone but the Pastor should be paid. Everyone else should be willing to do it for the Lord. We do pay this couple who cleans the church and a man to keep the grass cut but he just gives it right back to the church.

 

As is his right.

 

Even if they put in 40 hours per week? I know a lot of church that have fulltime secretaries and office staff.

Where does it stop? When your plumbing stops up, should the plumber fix it for free? When the roof leaks, should the roofer fix it for free? When you build a building, should the architect, contractor, and all members of the building trade do it for free?

I think this is an excuse for churches to hoard their money.

 

John,

The example of plumbers plumbing for free actually passed through my mind but I forgot to write it down! Thanks man!

 

The plumber is providing a professional service, those involved in music, etc. in a service are supposed to be worshipping God and edifying His children (the only 2 Biblical purposes for music, by the way; appealing to the unsaved is not a Scriptural purpose of our music.) I see Dr. Bob's point, but I also agree that in a larger ministry you will have more paid staff members. I think the discussion is about 2 different things. Should someone be paid for teaching a class, providing special music, playing an instrument in a service? Probably not. But if this is a position requiring hours every week, then absolutely.

 

Just a question. Should the church pay a person that has gone to seminary, whether to study music, theology, Christian education, ect.? Many are called to churches as associate pastors, ministers of education, youth leaders, music ministers/assoc. pastors, music and youth, ect.

They have acquired some of the same education as a pastor would. They have spent the time that it takes to prepare for full-time ministry. Have they wasted their time because there are plenty of willing volunteers in the church to do the ministry they feel God has called them to? They could probably volunteer for a church position that requires 40-50 hours if they were independently wealthy.

 

I think its up to the local church body to decide. I for one am glad that some choose to salary church musicians.