Church Gig/Playing

Thunderthumbs73 · #1 06-04-2008, 11:49 AM

I think it would be interesting to do a church gig, but I'm not set on it, or how to go about doing it. I don't formally belong to a church. I don't want to, or I haven't yet felt that calling or identification which I think one should experience as the motivation to belong to a church, formally. I don't formally claim a religion or preference. I don't wish for someone to try to convert me to their religion. Yet, I believe I can be professional and dedicated to the task of helping the music sound better. I don't think you have to completely believe the teachings of a certain church or religion to enjoy and respect the musical proceedings of that church. Is that a requirement? Heck, I'd bet even an Atheist can be incredibly moved by Bach's Masses.

Anyway, I would try not to approach it as a "job" as I realize that being involved in some aspect of a church may be a calling and not a "job" and the notion of something religious as "a job" could be offensive without intending to be so.

I know when I go into a Catholic church with my wife, they don't keep me out because I'm not Catholic and she is. I wonder if the same situation applies for musicians in church groups for services? I know church and the term "fun" may not always go together, but you know, I think playing music in a church could be fun, and also be enjoyable too.

Just trying to navigate the issue, and express my thoughts on it without offending those who are very sensitive about religion. I'm trying to respect those people, churches, religion and how it all fits together.

Kind responses which are forgiving of any faux-pauxs which I may have inadvertently made would be appreciated. Thanks.

iamthebassman · #2 06-04-2008, 11:57 AM

Your first few sentences explain why it's not for you.

Thunderthumbs73 · #3 06-04-2008, 12:03 PM

thanks

bassteban · #4 06-04-2008, 12:07 PM

Church gigs can be way fun. Keep in mind though, that(IME)most churches are selling/espousing/endorsing a belief system/ideology/mindset, & the music is there to support this aim. My guess is that sincerity(as opposed to just open-mindedness)might be a requirement for most of these gigs. Churches, gigs & people vary widely of course, so I am way generalizing, as well as speaking from my own experiences.

CrashClint · #5 06-04-2008, 12:12 PM

Thunder, I play in a band and I play at church. I can tell you it is fun playing at church and I have found I have more freedom in my style. I am a member of a Vineyard church and on the opening songs it normally rocks before we tone down into music that is intimate and singing to God and not about Him.

I know a bassist that was not a Christian when he started playing on a worship team. He is saved now and actually leads worship at his church. The rules for serving on the worship team vary from church to church. I went to one church and you didn't have be a member, you only had to show up consistently to church to serve on the worship team. Some churches take it more seriously as being in a leadership position.

I say give it a try! Find a church that will let you sit in, but beware, the Holy Spirit is mighty powerful and just may change your thinking.

Thunderthumbs73 · #6 06-04-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

Church gigs can be way fun. Keep in mind though, that(IME)most churches are selling/espousing/endorsing a belief system/ideology/mindset, & the music is there to support this aim. My guess is that sincerity(as opposed to just open-mindedness)might be a requirement for most of these gigs. Churches, gigs & people vary widely of course, so I am way generalizing, as well as speaking from my own experiences.

I would never lie and said I believed and accepted the teachings of a church just to play the music of that church, and in that regard, I believe I am certainly sincere. Perhaps the answer of whether you have to explicitly believe in that churches teachings in order to play there, resides in each church. Or maybe not. I don't know.

Churches are great places. Great music. Great Architecture. Places of peace, joy, worship, solitude, forgiveness, confession. Though-provoking sermons. No complaints there. Thanks for your response.

Thunderthumbs73 · #7 06-04-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Thunder, I play in a band and I play at church. I can tell you it is fun playing at church and I have found I have more freedom in my style. I am a member of a Vineyard church and on the opening songs it normally rocks before we tone down into music that is intimate and singing to God and not about Him.

I know a bassist that was not a Christian when he started playing on a worship team. He is saved now and actually leads worship at his church. The rules for serving on the worship team vary from church to church. I went to one church and you didn't have be a member, you only had to show up consistently to church to serve on the worship team. Some churches take it more seriously as being in a leadership position.

I say give it a try! Find a church that will let you sit in, but beware, the Holy Spirit is mighty powerful and just may change your thinking.

Perhaps if there is a church that would have me, allowing for my many spiritual limitations, then I might give it a try. You never know. Thanks for your response.

**Pacman** · #8 06-04-2008, 02:31 PM

I played for churches in Atlanta for years. The pay is good, if you can get it, and your own religious beliefs may or may not be a concern. When I played for a mega-church there, the only thing they were worried about was my playing. (I made tons of money on that gig!)

Rattman · #9 06-04-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

Your first few sentences explain why it's not for you.

Sorry... your motivation for wanting to do this is all wrong. I've not been in a church yet where there wasn't an initial: "checking out" period prior to admitting new players to the praise teams. Top of the list: Same beliefs, or there is no interest on the part of the Music Director to allow entrance...

Sounds like you just want to play someplace. I can understand that..just not at the church (yet) go for it and do well..

**Pacman** · #10 06-04-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattman

Sorry... your motivation for wanting to do this is all wrong. I've not been in a church yet where there wasn't an initial: "checking out" period prior to admitting new players to the praise teams. Top of the list: Same beliefs, or there is no interest on the part of the Music Director to allow entrance...

Even if you haven't seen one, they exist. I've played at 4 in one city, and on a regular basis.

Quote:

Sounds like you just want to play someplace. I can understand that..just not at the church (yet) go for it and do well..

Most of the top players in Atlanta have a church gig as their 'safety' gig - no matter what else happens in the month, they've always got the church gig money to count on. I can see the OP's point - and I'd be looking for the same thing if I was hungry, too.

Thunderthumbs73 · #11 06-04-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

I played for churches in Atlanta for years. The pay is good, if you can get it, and your own religious beliefs may or may not be a concern. When I played for a mega-church there, the only thing they were worried about was my playing. (I made tons of money on that gig!)

I don't care about pay at all. Just a different experience that those which I have already had. Pay is cool and all, but I never thought about that. Thanks!

**Pacman** · #12 06-04-2008, 05:11 PM

You should have no problem finding a gig, provided you have the necessary skills.

Thunderthumbs73 · #13 06-04-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattman

Sorry... your motivation for wanting to do this is all wrong. I've not been in a church yet where there wasn't an initial: "checking out" period prior to admitting new players to the praise teams. Top of the list: Same beliefs, or there is no interest on the part of the Music Director to allow entrance...

Sounds like you just want to play someplace. I can understand that..just not at the church (yet) go for it and do well..

All wrong? I could share many basic values, but I have to believe EXACTLY to allow entrance? That seems like a high bar, to participate, to me.

I am active in four bands, two of them are with pros and semi-pros. With all due respect and consideration to your comments, I have little "need" for another place to play, but yet, I value different musical experiences. I understand how you might think I just want someplace to play, but that's not the case.

Sorry to give the wrong impression.

I think it would be good to be a part of this kind of musical environment, and doing some good music- that which you would not experience anywhere but at a church. I just can't promise to sign on as the newest member of church _X_.

Perhaps I got it all wrong. I thought it would be good to a part of a positive musical environment and unique musicial experience which, no matter what my own specific beliefs are, would be beneficial to whatever church I could musicially associate myself with. Maybe that isn't simply good enough. I don't mind one bit that my efforts in music would be for the benefit, glorification or worship of god, whether or not we agree on the finer points of that connection. Happy to do it. I always thought that if I were to join a church sometime, that the first, easy, and best connection for me would be through that which is most meaningful to me, which is through the lense of music. Indeed in life, it is through music that I feel that I do much of my giving, anyways.

All I can say is that I'm not a devil worshiper and satanist who is trying to infiltrate the inner-sanctum of some unsuspecting church somewhere much to the delight of the rest of my devil worshiping buddies.

Sorry if I got anyone riled up on this. Thanks for the responses. Perhaps I'm a square peg in a round hole world...

I'm a man of sincerity and principle- being honest to and about myself, and to those I deal with. I don't want to try to pretend what I am not. I believe what I am holds enough merit that I shouldn't have to pretend I am something else.

Best to you all.

Rattman · #14 06-04-2008, 05:29 PM

Sounds good Pacman... I think its great to be able to make some money on the side like that at the Atlanta mega-churches. Thats just not MY experience so far. I've never attended a mega church with the exception of the "Rock Church" in Virginia Beach, Va. None of the musicians were compensated there either (late '70's).

And again.. Every-single-one of the Music Directors I've ever sat for all had exacting 'faith standards' as a litmus test for any and all folks entering the music ministries under their leadership.

Thunderthumbs73 · #15 06-04-2008, 06:28 PM

Cool. Thanks for the response. Something to consider.

basspraiser · #16 07-02-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

Perhaps if there is a church that would have me, allowing for my many spiritual limitations, then I might give it a try. You never know. Thanks for your response.

I think you have described ALL of us....NONE of us go to church because we are "spiritually full"...we ALL go because we have "spiritual limitations" as you put it....be open with the Worship Leader AND to the message and you may end up having a GREAT and rewarding (musically and spiritually) time!

I agree that there may be some churches that would not "let" you play - so don't go there....go to a church where you have some knowledge and/or comfort...this may take "sampling" several churches for a couple of months before you decide which church to approach....

Good luck and peace;

Doug

PS - let us know what happens!

soong · #17 07-02-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

I don't think you have to completely believe the teachings of a certain church or religion to enjoy and respect the musical proceedings of that church. Is that a requirement? Heck, I'd bet even an Atheist can be incredibly moved by Bach's Masses.

I think you do.

Also, the point of playing at church is not to move people and make them feel anything, but it is to serve in a way that leads and points people towards Jesus.

OtterOnBass · #18 07-02-2008, 08:58 PM

This is an issue that has been discussed in other forums (i.e. the appropriateness of non-believers in the worship service.) Effectively what it boils down to is what do you think and what does the church think. There's ads occasionally in the classifieds for church-playing musicians, so check your locals and craigslist. Often the music pastor's hope is to start with a non-believer in hopes that he sees Christ in the church.

Why do you want to play at church? To do a good deed with your music? I know a band that plays virtually all charity gigs - special olympics and such. They love it.

iamlowsound · #19 07-02-2008, 09:06 PM

I am the main bass player at my church (playing about 45 services a year), the youth pastor and I get asked about many issues regarding worship in the church. I can tell you that I would absolutely NOT approve of having someone that does not share out belief (aka a non-believer) on the worship team. IMO it is the same thing as having an atheist preach the sermon. That is just my view, and I helped write that out in the church constitution.

lowsound

**Pacman** · #20 07-02-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

I am the main bass player at my church (playing about 45 services a year), the youth pastor and I get asked about many issues regarding worship in the church. I can tell you that I would absolutely NOT approve of having someone that does not share out belief (aka a non-believer) on the worship team. IMO it is the same thing as having an atheist preach the sermon. That is just my view, and I helped write that out in the church constitution.

lowsound

Cool, that's your belief. It's not everyone's - the church I played for was a 'seeker' church. They were looking for those looking for answers. I'm glad I was a part of it - my beliefs aside.