Help me PEOPLE!!!!!

[unauthorizedpoet]

I have been playing organ for a "Mega Church" for a year. We have a fairly small music department for a church with over 2000 people. There is a bass, board, drummer, and me on organ. This is my thing i need help on: Sine the church's start they have never paid their musicians. I left a small baptist church in Chapel Hill NC making 400.00 a week just plaiyg and teaching a very small choir of about 20 people. I outgrew the church and a friend of mine took my position for me. Well i came to the "mega church"  they had a guy on board who's skill was a 6* out of 10*! He could play but had no flow ability or old skool ability and transposed everything. The organ was there collecting dust. After sitting in the church for 7 months not playing i talked to the music director about playing and he auditioned me. I played about 3 songs that he came off with and then he sang i flowed with him and he said come back SUNDAY MORNING. LOL thats all good but i have been playing there for a year now and I live 55 miles one way. They started giving me a credit card for gas for like a month then that stopped. I go to Tuesday night service and play, Thursday rehearsal, Sat morning musician rehearsal, and Sunday for 2 services. I drive about 400 miles a week round trip for church. Long story short they dont want to give me nuthing b/c they look a the music department as " HELPS MINISTRY" like an usher or sound. I beg to differ! You cant really just go up to my pastor at any time so its hard to talk to him. Its hard b/c i have got offers to come play for others for $300-^$600.00 a week. I am a member of this church and i feel it to be my reasonable service to give god my all but im incurring cost that they wont hepl with. They have MILLIONS, not overstating MILLIONS! My pastor drives a Royles Royce PHantom, the church aint hurting a bit! They just dont put the music department in high regard. I asked for some new equiptment and they told me that I will have it by  the end of 2007'! WE NOT OUT OF 2006! lol wHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? IM THINKING ABOUT LEAVING  B/C IT HURTS NOT TO FEEL APPRICATED! 

[docjohn]

i feel you brother.it amazes me,particularily  in your situation how men esteem things-bentleys,but ignore /despise the treasure of LORD in temples not made with human hands.you need to pray and fast about this.how can this be "your" church?why are you there? where are you being ministered to? ask the LORD,maybe you are doing ALL this sacrifice to/for HIM.if so, a sacrifice without cost is of NO value!so, HE sees and rewards,when,as HE sees fit.you may also be wasting your time/talents,if you can't reach pastor,how can he reach you? you may be better off in a different minstry,closer to home-because of the distance?/time  ,if you have a family your missing time with them.don't get caught in the trap of pleasining man-including self.hope it helps-blesses

[key-wiz]

the law of reciprocity is the same at all times If you sow sparingly you reap sparingly but if you sow bountifully you reap bountifully.
So think about this "If the case is you Sow bountifully and Reap sparingly Then What Is Wrong With That Picture" read Haggi 1 verses 3 thru 11  this should help you Be Blessed

[Mysteryman]

You did ask to audition. After the first Sunday you knew they didnt pay. So you could have decided not to play then. One you can keep playing for free or two you can quit. The pastor is probably going to have the thought well if I pay him Im going to have to pay the rest of them. If the drive is too much I say find another church closer where you can get paid.

[BimmerFan99]

Well, to me there are two options: fight to get the musicians paid or leave.  If the fight isn't worth it to you, then go somewhere else.  Just be sure you aren't going somewhere else where you'll get paid but won't feel comfortable.  Also, be humble with the church and not militant.  Doing the pay-me-or-else tactic might force them to shut you down.

I don't believe in churches not supporting their own people who put in serious time for the good of the service.

[Mysteryman]

It is hard to find musicians that dont care about getting paid. You may not get the same caliber musicians. It is possible to find a musician that is great and doesnt get paid. I dont have a problem not getting paid by a mega church because I know God will take care of you if your own wont. He pays better to.