I was asked to play a show at a church this Sunday because their regular player was out. I assumed it wasn't going to be a paid gig, but I asked anyway, and they offered me $50. Given that they are 40 miles away from me, would it be wrong to ask if they will pay me more? I don't know anything about how churches run things, since I have never been to one.
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Paid gig for a church?
- Thread starter ncapone
- Start date
Each church is different. Some do some don't. I don't hesitate to ask a church to pay if it's not the one I attend.
They offered $50. Here's were it gets sticky. You should have set the price. You allowed them set the price. In any negotiation it's really hard to haggle up the price.
I would (and have) come at it this way. "I've got an 80 mile round trip drive, an hours drive, plus the prep and actual service time. How 'bout $150?" Then I'd let them counter. I'd settle for $100, but I wouldn't let them know that.
Take the $50 and use it as a learning experience. At least you covered gas and lunch.
They offered $50. Here's were it gets sticky. You should have set the price. You allowed them set the price. In any negotiation it's really hard to haggle up the price.
I would (and have) come at it this way. "I've got an 80 mile round trip drive, an hours drive, plus the prep and actual service time. How 'bout $150?" Then I'd let them counter. I'd settle for $100, but I wouldn't let them know that.
Take the $50 and use it as a learning experience. At least you covered gas and lunch.
If it were me; I'd take the $50 and mention I'd be happy to play again in the future but would need a little more loot because of the distance.
Some churches pay their musicians, some use strictly volunteers.
Some churches pay their musicians, some use strictly volunteers.
Since you're not into the church thing you should ask for whatever you need to take the gig. They can take it or leave it and you can do the same. Like any gig.
$100 bucks? What churches are you playing at where you can get a hundred a sunday? I'm in.
But really OP, we pay like 40 bucks or whatever a sunday for fill-ins at my church. Whatever it takes to fill their tanks and buy lunch. It's tough at some churches, they're not all lined with money.
I say take the 50 and play that weekend. If they ask you again, unless you had a really great experience, let them know that you would need a little more to come back and make it worth it.
As Billy mentioned, all churches are different. I have played at my church almost every Sunday since I was 18 almost 15 years ago. I usually get $50 - $100 once a year around Christmas time and sometimes the music director leaves gift cards on my music stand to show appreciation. I'm going to be there anyway and I love playing music, so anything they pay me for my effort is a bonus.
I have filled in for another church down the road (actually about halfway between my house and my church), which started out as a favor for a friend. This church has about 5 times the membership of my church and I have been paid about $30 each time that I have filled in, which I was not expecting the first time I played there.
I have filled in for another church down the road (actually about halfway between my house and my church), which started out as a favor for a friend. This church has about 5 times the membership of my church and I have been paid about $30 each time that I have filled in, which I was not expecting the first time I played there.
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
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- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
I used to run sound for a fairly large church. I got $300 for one service on Saturday night and two Sunday morning. The musicians were all volunteers though.
I have been playing in church since I was 14, never gotten paid for it. Many churches that are known for their music don't even pay their regular musicians for playing on a Sunday, eg. Hillsong.
lowsound
lowsound
Many churches pay $100 or more. I was at a larger non-denominational church and the band members got paid $100 a piece, the music director got $200. I play in a "Christian rock band" and the ONLY place we don't play for free is IN churches. We play benefits for free, we play open air concerts for free. Churches have to pay for 3 specific reasons:
1.We give them a chance to have more BIPs(butts in pews) if they use some word of mouth or (gasp!) actual advertising - like the posters we provide them with that have blanks for their address, time, date,etc.
2.Their regular musicians get to take the day off and enjoy from the other side of the rail.
3.Somebody has to do the work on the street - they are not doing it generally so this is dollars going toward "outreach and evangelism".
Let them know you'd need a little more in future - I suspect they will balk at $100 but would do $80. Unfortunately most churches don't pay ANY of their musicians so they get some real crap at times. Not always, but sometimes. I think some would have better attendance if they DID hire quality musicians.....I've heard some things at churches that had me praying for it to end.
You can ask for whatever you feel your time and trouble is worth. They may say no and find someone else. That's how negotiation works. My general perspective on this is that it isn't the employer's responsibility that you happen to live far away - the work is worth X amount to them and that's what they'll pay. A bassist who drives 40 miles is not worth more to them than one that drives 20. Still, if they really want you, it doesn't hurt to ask if they can come up a little. If not, you have to decide if the gig is worth it to you. It sounds as though you had planned on playing the gig for free before they offered money - in which case, isn't the $50 a bonus?
I have been playing at church for about 3 years. Never gotten a dime for it, but i basically learned how to play bass in the context of that band. So I figured all the wrong notes and stupidity that they put up with during that process is worth me playing for free as long as I attend that church.
If it was a hassle to get there (more than 30 minute drive), I would be requesting some small amount of pay. If it was a huge church and I had to lug an amp, I would be requesting pay as well. But my church is very small, no amps (blessing and a curse) and a 10 minute drive from where I live.
Take the $50 and ask for more next time, only if its a huge hassle to play/ get there.
If it was a hassle to get there (more than 30 minute drive), I would be requesting some small amount of pay. If it was a huge church and I had to lug an amp, I would be requesting pay as well. But my church is very small, no amps (blessing and a curse) and a 10 minute drive from where I live.
Take the $50 and ask for more next time, only if its a huge hassle to play/ get there.
