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A THREAD ON CHURCHES PAYING MUSICIANS, AND HOW PASTOR’s TREAT US - I actually DO NOT like speaking on this topic but I’m very triggered by that video and have decided to do so...Send to your Pastor if you like.
1. Let’s get one thing straight. Yes you are Pastor, but you are also a human being. So let’s establish some RESPECT firstly. You by no means ever rudely speak to someone like that and humiliate them, especially when they are doing something out of their heart for you. No way.
2. You don’t feed someone and then gloat about it, especially as a Man Of God. Paying someone does not make the person bounded to you, it is an agreement between you and them or a token of appreciation for the service they offer you and your ministry. Appreciate and value it.
3. I’ve had this MANY times so I’d be very impressed to see a Pastor say this does not happen. Not all, but a lot of Pastors come after musicians, we don’t just rock up to your church and say we want to play for you. Where some of your churches even are, how will we find you?
4. If I serve in my HOME church, and all of a sudden, you are asking me to come and play at your church or hour musical director is asking for me to come, understand I am now a service provider not a member. If I choose to charge, I am not a mad person.
5. If you don’t have an electrician in your church, and you have an electric problem, you will outsource right? And it will come at a fee right? So why is it such a topic of conversation when a musician does it?
6. People go to some churches simply because of the quality of music. Some Pastors value their musicians highly because they understand that the RIGHT quality of praise and worship can really usher in the presence of God, and sets the tone for the Word.
7. Yes, God can move anywhere his presence can be commanded anywhere, but let’s not deny how moved and touched some people are by good quality of music in church.
8. As full time musicians, this is how we live and how some feed their families. So how can you undermine the fact that someone that uses their craft for a living is wrong for charging, when YOU came to seek them? Make it make sense.
9. This stigma of musicians not being spiritual and musicians not knowing God, drop it. You can NEVER judge someone’s relationship with God. There are countless “Pastors” preaching the word of God daily and doing an absolute madness, so let’s not even go there.
10. How do you even expect someone to be in the right frame of mind to receive a word from God through YOU the same person who is insulting them,?
11. Not all, but how Pastors even form a bond with their musicians and check on them their well being and spiritual walk ? You just care for them to come and play and make YOUR church look good.
13. All these condemnations, insults, public humiliations is what has driven so many gifted musicians out of the church, yet some Pastors will continue to do it, and then have the cheek to say “You are giving your gift to the world”. No. You didn’t appreciate the gift.
14. Bro, I love God. I’m not the greatest Christian always, but I can wholeheartedly tell you to that amongst all the stages I’ve been fortunate to play around THE WORLD, nothing can compare to how I feel when I’m serving in my home church.
15. When I hear the quality of music in the churches of these Pastors that talk that talk, it really makes sense. Trust me, NO ONE is begging to play in anyone’s church in 2021. Any good musician has a home church and is very happy there.
16. Someone is late so you disgrace them? Is it a job ? Did you ask why they were late? Do they have a time they are supposed to clock in? If so that sounds like a job, and what happens at a job? YOU. GET. PAID.
17. So if you want to pluck me from outside or my HOME church and want to demand a certain level of service, this is my price. If I feel led by GOD to become a MEMBER of your church or to give you my service for free, we can have that conversation.
18. Show some respect to musicians. Respect yourself even. Don’t think you can humiliate people who spend time perfecting their craft which you are using for your gain. It doesn’t make you more of a man, nor does it command respect. I’m done.
