How much should we pay M.O.M weekly!

[frantzlannie]

Blessings,
Tonight my husband and I interviewed a musician for the position of M.O.M of our ministry. The ministry is new, so we can't pay him much yet. Is $80-$100 weekly an insult. We offered $80 and I am not sure if he will accept it. He is very good, but we really can't pay him much more right now, so any advice anyone?

[fretai03]

As long as you're upfront about the exact amount you're willing to pay then I don't think they [potential MOMs] can fault you.

I think a lot of frustration comes about when churches start asking MOMs to consider not-for-paid situations & claim that MOMs need to be "ministry" not "monetarily" focussed blah blah blah...

At the end of the day, God expects His money... it should be the same for workers of the church.

[momuzik]

I can understand your situation. Don't feel that you're insulting him with your offer - if that's all you can do, then so be it. Just understand that if he's accepting the job for pay (nothing wrong with that), he could later accept another job for more pay. That's just a risk that you take with "hirelings".
I've been the MOM (among other things) for almost 5 yrs now and I don't get paid. The church did start giving me $25 a week at one time (for about 6-8 months) but that stopped because the budget got tight. But, money isn't a factor for me playing or not. I know I belong there and I have a job to do, so I don't consider myself a hireling.

[frantzlannie]

As long as you're upfront about the exact amount you're willing to pay then I don't think they [potential MOMs] can fault you.

I think a lot of frustration comes about when churches start asking MOMs to consider not-for-paid situations & claim that MOMs need to be "ministry" not "monetarily" focussed blah blah blah...

At the end of the day, God expects His money... it should be the same for workers of the church.

I totally agree with your statement. People have to work and eat and I strongly believe in paying because the music ministry is such a vital part of the church and worship. Also, it is a tough and difficult position in a ministry. Thanks for the advice.

[frantzlannie]

I can understand your situation. Don't feel that you're insulting him with your offer - if that's all you can do, then so be it. Just understand that if he's accepting the job for pay (nothing wrong with that), he could later accept another job for more pay. That's just a risk that you take with "hirelings".
I've been the MOM (among other things) for almost 5 yrs now and I don't get paid. The church did start giving me $25 a week at one time (for about 6-8 months) but that stopped because the budget got tight. But, money isn't a factor for me playing or not. I know I belong there and I have a job to do, so I don't consider myself a hireling.

Very good point momusik. I will keep that in mind. I pray to God that it will all work out. We gave him a few days to think and pray about his decision.

[Mysteryman]

There are not to many skilled musicians that will play for that much. If you want free the best option is to teach your children. Or if you can find a young person in your church that is in the process of learning.

[KurzLand]

80-100$ a week wow. And all I want is 20$ a week for gas. He should take it.
I'm not a M.O.M though, but I do live far and I am the "head" musician.

[blessedhammond]

The amount that you are offering this potential minister of music seems fair pending on the size of your congregation. I feel that the biggest problem for MOM and musicians is that many churches try to get over on us. I recommend that you take care of your MOM, for it is not always about money but how you take care of him or her. This is makes the difference, a matter of fact this is the case where I am at now they really take care of me, they try to do extra when they can. This is kinda funny to me cause it generally summarizes or encourages us to the greatest commandments Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with and all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself.

[bishopcole]

The amount that you are offering this potential minister of music seems fair pending on the size of your congregation. I feel that the biggest problem for MOM and musicians is that many churches try to get over on us. I recommend that you take care of your MOM, for it is not always about money but how you take care of him or her. This is makes the difference, a matter of fact this is the case where I am at now they really take care of me, they try to do extra when they can. This is kinda funny to me cause it generally summarizes or encourages us to the greatest commandments Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with and all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself.

This is it right here!  Bishop will add that anything that you can do to bless your M.O.M besides their pay just to let them know that we love you makes a "BIG DIFFERENCE"!!!  I believe that 100 will work fine until you can progress futher in the blessings of God!!  Bishop Cole

[Formuzik]

There will be a lot of input on this and opinions.  I feel that you need to pay what you offer, but more importantly, you need to make sure this person is committed to the church.  As a worship pastor, I get frustrated to see how many music people are uncommitted, and out of desperation churches accept them.  You need to place him/her under covenant with the church, i.e. put in writing what your aggreement and expectations are so that everyone is protected.  Place character and vision over talent.  Make sure you require and provide good training for his/her growth in your plan.  Give them room to go out and minister in other places without it hurting their pay.  It is healthy for you and them.  Trust me on this.  Please contact me if you want to discuss in details.  I have been in full-time ministry for 15 years and have helped countless churches and music ministers get a working covenant in place that was advantagous to all involved.  Send me a private message and we can go from there to exchange information to speak together.

Sincerely,

Pastor Forster

[organplaya04]

I feel it depends on how much experience the person has..

[ferrente]

There are not to many skilled musicians that will play for that much. If you want free the best option is to teach your children. Or if you can find a young person in your church that is in the process of learning.

Great Point!

[momuzik]

I pray to God that it will all work out. We gave him a few days to think and pray about his decision.

I'm curious how things worked out. Did he take your offer?

[rpking]

Great Point!

Cosign!  "Train up a child the....." .......you all know how that goes....

[gtrdave]

Blessings,
Tonight my husband and I interviewed a musician for the position of M.O.M of our ministry. The ministry is new, so we can't pay him much yet. Is $80-$100 weekly an insult. We offered $80 and I am not sure if he will accept it. He is very good, but we really can't pay him much more right now, so any advice anyone?

You can only offer what you can offer. That said, be careful what you expect in return. If this person already has a full-time job and other commitments (family, 2nd job, evangelism/service, etc...) then be very realistic about the time and attention that can be offered to the music ministry.
I served for years as a part-time interim worship leader and made anywhere from nothing to $800/month. While the money was never really an issue (as I worked full-time and made a good wage), time certainly was.
Between some of those things I have listed above, I had little time left to give to the music ministry and I'm convinced that because of that very real challenge, the music ministry suffered for it.
I was unable many times to give God my first fruits...my best offerings...because I was so worn out from everything else.

I say that to offer my experience as a word of caution to carefully measure expectations of the job against realities of life.

[themidiroom]

If you offer the MOM what you can afford, then it's not an insult.  If they need more money, they will not accept the position.  I get paid at my church and I could go to another church and make quite a bit more, but I am happy there and I have learned a lot.  Many of my musician friends say that I'm crazy for staying there but it's not all about money.  I really appreciate what they give me.

[princessofpraise]

The pay should depend on the financial situation of the church. I was full time worship pastor/minister of music at a church for 5 years. In the beginning, I didn't get paid at all. It was a year later - after we worked hard to grow the church, that I was hired full time at $ 250 a week. As the church grew, my salary increased. When I resigned this year after 5 years, I was making $500 a week. And I earned every penny of it. I was required to work in the office 40 hours a week. However, I was not a hireling. I actually was a part of building that ministry. So, I earned my pay. There is nothing wrong with getting paid to be a lead worshipper. Actually it would shock many of you to know I got paid that much and at that time I could not play the keyboard. I lead worship and built a band, front line, and choir. We did not pay the band or vocals. But, I also pastored those in my department. So, I did a lot more than sing.

I left there to start another church. I enjoy building ministries. I do not get paid at this ministry. But I will do the same thing I did at the other church and work myself into a job. As we build the ministry, God will bless me. Money follows ministry, ministry does not follow money!!

[bishopcole]

The pay should depend on the financial situation of the church. I was full time worship pastor/minister of music at a church for 5 years. In the beginning, I didn't get paid at all. It was a year later - after we worked hard to grow the church, that I was hired full time at $ 250 a week. As the church grew, my salary increased. When I resigned this year after 5 years, I was making $500 a week. And I earned every penny of it. I was required to work in the office 40 hours a week. However, I was not a hireling. I actually was a part of building that ministry. So, I earned my pay. There is nothing wrong with getting paid to be a lead worshipper. Actually it would shock many of you to know I got paid that much and at that time I could not play the keyboard. I lead worship and built a band, front line, and choir. We did not pay the band or vocals. But, I also pastored those in my department. So, I did a lot more than sing.

I left there to start another church. I enjoy building ministries. I do not get paid at this ministry. But I will do the same thing I did at the other church and work myself into a job. As we build the ministry, God will bless me. Money follows ministry, ministry does not follow money!!

It does not shock me cause I know several that get paid more than that and can't say lets play no instrument! They are just lead worshipers, but they are some of the best!!  Bishop Cole

[luvdahammond]

I feel it depends on how much experience the person has..

I agree with this statement (because like most of us) we are seasoned musicians, and like some it took a well to develop your gift, & your level of playing. I know drummers, guitar players that quit playing the drum and bought a keyboard. They know 1 key (C), 5 chords and the transpose button, and they are making 3 to 500 dollars a week! So I believe it depend son your experience also!

[OUSkeeter90]

I have been a musician and M.O.M for approx. 20 years.  In my experience what a church has to offer is never an insult unless it is followed by a lot of "fluff" promises.  Be honest, consistent, fair, and financially reliable with your music staff and you will be surprised how God will take the little and multiply it for both parties.  Please remember that for many of us Music was not just a "gift" (which is something that is at a point of maturity from the outset), but rather a SKILL that countless sweat hours have been invested in to hone and perfect. I've worked for many ministries for as little as $50/Wk to $700/wk and given the same energies and time expenses across the board. Through it all I have found that honesty and true appreciation from the pastor and ministry to be what kept me motivated, along with knowing those ministries were the places that God had ordained me to be and assist.  Now that I am pastoring I see a lot of return on my faithfulness and committment from the past, but the same standards apply to me that I mentioned above.  God will bless you if you remember that the people you are dealing with are ultimately His.  Don't be stressed! Just continue to trust God to provide you with everything you need, including appropriate personnel.

OUSkeeter "The Original"