I was very briefly a music director at a church, that paid, but to be honest it didn't jive with me getting paid for services by a church I didn't go to. Generally though, I'm not certain that it does pay.
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I was very briefly a music director at a church, that paid, but to be honest it didn't jive with me getting paid for services by a church I didn't go to. Generally though, I'm not certain that it does pay.
- Dec 21, 2007
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I have played in churches ever since I started playing bass about 20 years ago. Every church I've played at had a backline or PA with monitors... until my wife and I started going to the church we're at now which is pastored by a black woman, and her husband is the worship leader. No amp, no monitors. Also no rehearsal before Sunday morning, and most Sundays the charts are MIA, or the charts I've been given need to be transposed right before the service. Two weeks after I started playing bass there (pretty much every week now) I just bought a 12" kickback amp that I consider a donation, and that gets the job done. Totally worth it for the opportunity to spend the last three years learning how to play black gospel bass.
I'd likely never do a church gig unless it paid. I don't care if other people do it, but I'm not all that enthralled with churches nor people who use religion to make money, and if the preacher gets paid, then I want paid, too. Does not come up often in my life, though.
I've been playing at churches for years. My philosophy is this (same whether a church or secular gig) ...if I am asked to put a lot of work into it, or it's far away, I don't play for free. If on the other hand, I can have creative freedom, the people are nice, and I don't have to travel too far, I often play for free. That goes whether a larger church or a small one.
Basically I need to get paid, love the music, or enjoy the company. Same as if I were playing in a bar.
In all seriousness - I know an equal amount of players who do it as a volunteer and those who get paid. The couple guys I know (a drummer and a guitarist) who get paid travel from church to church. The volunteers are usually doing it for their home church.
This is very true. When I was still going to church (up till my early 20's) all the playing I did was for free. There was no expectation of pay at all.
Different churches use music for different reasons. Some churches use music as a draw to bring people in. Imo, these musicians need to be paid. Others use music as part of the services, and have a hierarchy of music. The church I attend want the voices to be heard and the instruments should be used to support the voices. We typically play 7 to 9 songs during a 50 minute service. It
KUNM, a public radio station has a three hour Sunday morning program, "Train to Glory" that presents gospel music. They play tracks submitted by listeners. Not my cup of tea, but it's valid forrm of worship music.
Personally if you treat church music as a gig,it's a gig, but you might have to leave the booze at home.
KUNM, a public radio station has a three hour Sunday morning program, "Train to Glory" that presents gospel music. They play tracks submitted by listeners. Not my cup of tea, but it's valid forrm of worship music.
Personally if you treat church music as a gig,it's a gig, but you might have to leave the booze at home.
I've been playing about twice a month at a church that does pay pretty well for the amount of time I have to commit to it. Show up at 8:30AM, rehearse for an hour 5 songs, and play the service, and be done by Noon.
The part that isn't fun is playing a gig the night before, get home at 3AM, and have to get up at 730 to go to the church gig. I do that quite a lot!
The part that isn't fun is playing a gig the night before, get home at 3AM, and have to get up at 730 to go to the church gig. I do that quite a lot!
Find a church where the pastor/priest is member of an order. They make less than $500/mo. Then their order asks for half, so they can support retired members of the order.
I’ve been in Church Music Ministry for over 25 years. Over those years this subject has often come up. I don’t expect a lot of folks to feel this way, but from where I sit, how can I charge God for giving him back what he’s given me? He has given me this talent ( such that it is) to bless people. And, from all of the gigs I’ve played over those 25 years, it’s obvious he didn’t intend for me to make a living at it..lol!! That said, I don’t find anything scripturally that supports being paid by a church to play is the hiway to h*ll, but make sure paid or not ,you’re doing it for the right reason, which is for the glory of God.
what happened to the atadge "sing and you pray twice"? Did you end up with a lizard voice, and only got half credit? By the way my voice is not mic'ed.
I've been playing for our church a couple of years now as a volunteer. The best gig ever regardless. The best part is, my wife is part of the choir and my soon plays the drums, which has strengthen our family bond immensely.
I mean I had no expectation of pay. Outside musicians, however were indeed paid which makes complete sense. About every other Christmas my church would do Handel's Messiah with a chamber orchestra and semi-pro to pro musicians played who of course were paid. The church choir sang along with leads who were brought in to fill out the soprano, tenor, and bass parts.
My mom actually did the alto lead in most of them but she was a part of the choir so I'm not sure if she was paid or not.
So again, it can be on a case by case basis.
check the old testament on how the Levites were compensated.
Bill to God: Pls find enclosed a detailed statement for services, rendered, I was never worthy of you, so can I have an ocassional glass of water with ice cubes, and burn ontiment.
Answer from God, talent to play music, my gift. My son, again my gift, entry to heaven my gift. But not yet.
I have known players who go from one church gig to another on weekends, for good money, sometimes three or more services on Sunday. Some churches place a high value on their music ministry. It's high-level playing, very much in the moment, depending on the pastor and his/her preferences, and definitely not for everybody. It can be a tough room.
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