Do you charge to go to extra services or play at 3pm services?

[nextlevelmusic]

I've never charged, and my better half is like  when I tell her we have another service today.  So going into a new church I would like to have this discussed up front.  Prior to the last Pastor, now I see why he didn't want anything in writing, because you couldn't hold him to it.

You can comment on Weddings, 3pm services at your church, 3pm services at someone elses church, funerals, basically anything extra than the norm.

Ex.  One Sunday I played at the normal service, went to a musical 3pm, then went to another church 6pm where I had to preach, and play for baptism service for our church (we didn't have a pool).  I drove over 200 miles that Sunday.  I was beat down.  Oh, additional pay = 0.00  you guessed it.

[under13]

I dont get paid extra for the 5 pm service, but I rarely go to it anyway. The MOM wants me to stay for it, but I told her I cant. Even if they offered to pay me extra I still wouldnt go. I simply dont have the energy to stay at church all day long. I'm not the main board player, so they can do just fine without me. 

The Pastor rarely has outside engagements, but if the choir is gonna sing then I'll go. He doesent hoop, so he wouldnt need me otherwise. But I dont expect payment in those situations.

I've never had to do a funeral there, as I'm never available since I'm always working or at school

Ex.  One Sunday I played at the normal service, went to a musical 3pm, then went to another church 6pm where I had to preach, and play for baptism service for our church (we didn't have a pool).  I drove over 200 miles that Sunday.  I was beat down.  Oh, additional pay = 0.00  you guessed it.

sounds like you got abused that day.

  So going into a new church I would like to have this discussed up front.  Prior to the last Pastor, now I see why he didn't want anything in writing, because you couldn't hold him to it.

Its not too late to discuss the situation and come to an agreement.

[jdholliday]

I've never charged, and my better half is like  when I tell her we have another service today.  So going into a new church I would like to have this discussed up front.  Prior to the last Pastor, now I see why he didn't want anything in writing, because you couldn't hold him to it.

You can comment on Weddings, 3pm services at your church, 3pm services at someone elses church, funerals, basically anything extra than the norm.

Ex.  One Sunday I played at the normal service, went to a musical 3pm, then went to another church 6pm where I had to preach, and play for baptism service for our church (we didn't have a pool).  I drove over 200 miles that Sunday.  I was beat down.  Oh, additional pay = 0.00  you guessed it.

Why would you expect your church to pay you when you went to another church & you preached? Are you a member of this church?

[tobiustobi1]

With all that said, that's why you get paid on a PER SERVICE basis!  And if you want to do a 2 for one thing, that's on you! 

[nextlevelmusic]

Why would you expect your church to pay you when you went to another church & you preached? Are you a member of this church?

In response to your question. I was a member of the church I attended.  Let me break it down for you  about driving 200 miles that day.

Played at our normal church service.  Then we went to a musical to perform in another part of the city, after that we went to another part of the city to use the church in order to baptize people.  I had to play for the service, preach for the baptism service, and play for the remainder of the service. Then drive all the way back to my side of town which was about little over an hour. 

I didn't go to another church, the church went to 2 other churchs that day.  I didn't say anything about getting paid to preach also.  This thread was about getting paid for "PLAYING"  for extra services, not preaching.

FYI FOR ANYONE OUT THERE STARTING AT A NEW CHURCH. GET IT IN WRITING UP FRONT SO IT WON'T BE ANY CONFUSION DOWN THE LINE.  GET YOU A COVENANT AGREEMENT, NOT A CONTRACT.

[andresmith]

I'm an organist and I have had my share of people taking advantage of my kindness.  You should have something in writing before you start so that you won't have any surprises. 

The church I used to play for used to take sometimes 3 programs during the week, during the summer, not to mention the rehearsals, and I played at 2 services on Sundays.

They would rarely ever pay me for the programs during the week, but If i could not make it they would pay a replacement.  I'm like hold up now...

I just did it anyway, but just to show you how people will misuse you...

God Bless,
Andre' Smith

[under13]

I'm an organist and I have had my share of people taking advantage of my kindness.  You should have something in writing before you start so that you won't have any surprises. 

The church I used to play for used to take sometimes 3 programs during the week, during the summer, not to mention the rehearsals, and I played at 2 services on Sundays.

They would rarely ever pay me for the programs during the week, but If i could not make it they would pay a replacement.  I'm like hold up now...

I just did it anyway, but just to show you how people will misuse you...

God Bless,
Andre' Smith

Part of that is your fault. Why continue playing for them if you feel misused by them?

[Big T.]

Part of that is your fault. Why continue playing for them if you feel misused by them?

Not really. A lot of churches simply assume that we are available for every whim that comes along. Even when you have it in writting about fees, many churches don't honor the deal. The reason some of us continue to play is because, we need the money that we do get.Finding a church that will pay you a reasonable fee is not all that easy, especially if they have musicians stacked on top of each other.

[giftedone88]

It is always best if you are going to plan for an extended period of time at any church to get some type of agreement in writing that cleary states what services you will play for and at any rate what the prices will be. A lot of churches misuse musician especially if you playing for a church you grew up in... I can understand why some of you play through the poor business because there are some musicians out there who can stick it out for a little while with fustration b/c it gets better after while.

however some of us do play for God and sometimes when your a musician, your heart sees potential in the ministry of music and what it is doing for the ppl of God at that church, so even though you may want to leave over money, your humbling heart of ministry will not allow you to

[tobiustobi1]

It is always best if you are going to plan for an extended period of time at any church to get some type of agreement in writing that cleary states what services you will play for and at any rate what the prices will be. A lot of churches misuse musician especially if you playing for a church you grew up in... I can understand why some of you play through the poor business because there are some musicians out there who can stick it out for a little while with fustration b/c it gets better after while.

however some of us do play for God and sometimes when your a musician, your heart sees potential in the ministry of music and what it is doing for the ppl of God at that church, so even though you may want to leave over money, your humbling heart of ministry will not allow you to

I concur with this...esp. the part about the church you grew up in!  They will use and abuse you and not even offer to buy you an OIL CHANGE or FILL UP THE TANK.

I was at the church where I grew up for over 21 years, and God showed me a lot of unjust things...and I had to LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP (LK. 5:4)

The workman is WORTHY OF THE HIRE!  and I'm also reminded....DO NOT MUZZLE THE OX.

[organman88]

im dealing with this problem at my home church they want me to be at al the pastor and choir engagements mid wk service all the reheasals they have. a couple of days ago i got a contract from the church i dont agree with it because its a whole bunch of unreasonable rules i have to uphold and without pay for the extra stuff i didnt accept the contract. I dont get if the church want to treat it like a job treat it that way on both sides they want your service but when you want something out of it they say do it for the LORD i learned the musician should have a contract for the church also

[khootee]

I play for a COGIC and they just started paying me,Before then at my last church it was a baptist church and they did nt pay me to go to other churches so i just did it for practice.

[violist2009]

Meh i play for my dads church that he started a few months ago. I don't get paid and thats how i prefer it.(Also because if I asked for a paycheck from my dad I'd prob not be alive to read any other posts on the forum)

I also never ask for money if I'm asked to play anywhere. Because to me thats just not proper. Yes they are asking you for your services and I understand that but why charge people for the use of your Gift from God.

But just me 2 cents there

Derek

[Quieter]

I have played for 2 other churches that paid me well, even if though I was just starting out.  However, the pay was good, but those folks had big issues.  Now I've have been playing for a church for 3 years and they pay me sometimes. Not saying that all is perfect, but I am more comfortable and I know this is where I am suppose to be.  Speaking for myself, I just enjoy playing so when they can afford to pay me something, its fine, if not, its fine.  God continues to bless and keep me. If there is an evening service, I am there, or at another church with the choir, I am there.  Occasionally, I am worn out from the am service and then there is an evening service. But at the end of the day it is all worth it.  And this is just my 3 cents.

[jonesl78]

I have played for 2 other churches that paid me well, even if though I was just starting out.  However, the pay was good, but those folks had big issues.  Now I've have been playing for a church for 3 years and they pay me sometimes. Not saying that all is perfect, but I am more comfortable and I know this is where I am suppose to be.  Speaking for myself, I just enjoy playing so when they can afford to pay me something, its fine, if not, its fine.  God continues to bless and keep me. If there is an evening service, I am there, or at another church with the choir, I am there.  Occasionally, I am worn out from the am service and then there is an evening service. But at the end of the day it is all worth it.  And this is just my 3 cents.

Im glad to hear you are satisfied with your current status. I could probably make a little more if I were to go to another church but I really am satisfied with the word that I am receiving at my current church.

On an off topic comment: Some musicians request too much money for what services they provide. They want MOM type salaries for non-MOM work. I respect a musician for asking for what they think they are worth, however you have to be reasonable and familiar with your market. Certain levels of compensation warrant additional responsibilities up to and including running a music department.