If your church stop paying you today would you continue to play for free?

[TheUpperRoom]

Well, I've been playing for my church for about 8 years and not until about 2.5 years ago did I start getting paid for it. I wouldn't stop. I love to do it and I dont depend on the money from the church to provide my needs. That's what I have a job for. But I work with a good bit of musicians in my area and many of them are just there for the $$$. Many times when our church goes to another church for an anniversary such as youth, usherboard, etc. the visiting choirs sing a selection or two after the choir has done their concert. And at some of the churches the musician will get off and sit down or just LEAVE. Which means I have to end up playing for all the other visitng choirs besides my own. I dont mind it, but the only reason I the other musician should stop playing is if that choir's musician is there to play. I ask the musician at one particular church why he always leaves or sits down after his choir does there concert and he said because he doesn't get paid to play for the visiting choirs. Anyway, whether I'm paid or not Ima continue to play because I love it and I'm not gonna sit and hold my gift to myself over a few dollars . I dont want the Lord to take it from me so Ima use it anyhow, anyway, and every way I can, PAID OR UNPAID! You can't and/or shouldn't put a price on work for God. IMO!

[revscottswifey]

Well said UpperRoom, and several others of you.  I'm a firm believe that God honors our willingness to play from the heart and to His glory - whether or not we're compensated monetarily.  I've played for no pay but presently I am paid a small stipend.  It helps me since I'm unemployed and just started to build my own business.  But my husband is the pastor of the church and gets paid fairly well, considering the size of the church.  Because it's a very small congregation, I sometimes will sign their check and put it in the collection plate after service.  That's right...as in, give it back to them. 

My philosophy is that though I don't want to block my blessings (which is why I usually go ahead and accept/receive the pay), it is much more important that I guard my heart and spirit against becoming a "paycheck musician."  Honestly, those cats disgust me.  All puffed up, prideful and arrogant about their talents and gifts.  I spent many years in Atlanta, and that city is FULL of this breed of musicians...them kind that go WHEREVER they can get paid - they dip from the church pulpit to the club to the recording studio promoting and supporting music that blatantly goes against what they "minister" on Sunday morning, etc. etc.  I don't think they should be considered "ministers" of music, or "ministers" of anything for that matter.  Many of them (not just in the 'A') are simply hired musicians.  Nothing more.  So many of them carry on as though the church would fall apart without them.  So not true!  This discussion alone proves that there are MANY, MANY gospel musicians who are ok with playing first and foremost for the glory of God!!!!!!

Well, I've been playing for my church for about 8 years and not until about 2.5 years ago did I start getting paid for it. I wouldn't stop. I love to do it and I dont depend on the money from the church to provide my needs. That's what I have a job for. But I work with a good bit of musicians in my area and many of them are just there for the $$$. Many times when our church goes to another church for an anniversary such as youth, usherboard, etc. the visiting choirs sing a selection or two after the choir has done their concert. And at some of the churches the musician will get off and sit down or just LEAVE. Which means I have to end up playing for all the other visitng choirs besides my own. I dont mind it, but the only reason I the other musician should stop playing is if that choir's musician is there to play. I ask the musician at one particular church why he always leaves or sits down after his choir does there concert and he said because he doesn't get paid to play for the visiting choirs. Anyway, whether I'm paid or not Ima continue to play because I love it and I'm not gonna sit and hold my gift to myself over a few dollars . I dont want the Lord to take it from me so Ima use it anyhow, anyway, and every way I can, PAID OR UNPAID! You can't and/or shouldn't put a price on work for God. IMO!

[msred219]

When I started out many many years ago as a kid I had no idea that musicians got paid, and the first church that offered to pay me I turned them down and I played for free. You see its not about the money to me (although it is a nice perk) I dont think that is why God gave me the little bit of talent that I do have I think it is just to share and praise his name. Now some 30 years later I am getting paid but to answer your question if it were to stop tomorrow..... YES I would still play because thats all I know how to do in the church.

[HisPrincess]

Rarely been paid, and usually only a token. No matter what- I would do what God has called me to do, and trust HIM to provide for me. And on the few ocaisions I have received a gift from the church or from an anonymous donor, I prayed and asked the Lord what HE wanted to do with it... sometimes, I just quietly cash if and then sow it back... sometimes I get to pamper myself. AS HE leads.

[GRACENOTE]

At my church, I didnt asked to be paid but I saw a need so I filled the void. However if they stop paying me for no reason or cut my check for somethin stupid then I would quit. Musicians aften times do to much not to be paid.  ( picking songs, learning songs, teaching songs, performing songs, reheasals, extra services, traveling with the paster, bible studies, and dealing with difficult ppl.) thats a JOB! not to mention that we have lives outside of Church. but I wasnt getting paid for a good reason then I would stay.

[Morethanaconqueror]

I started playing for the love of it. I played for several years without being paid. Also, I have been at a church in the past that did stop paying me. I stayed and played anyway. Im not at that church anymore, but for the most part, its not about the money, its about service. God has placed me everywhere that I have held the post of Minister of Music. Some came with pay. Some did not. But no matter what. When Im called, I answer.

[Robinin]

I am new to this board. In the past I was paid a small amount that was more of a token for playing the organ for the church. Now I am part of the Praise and Worship Band and we are not paid. I have always considered it a ministry and don't need compensation for it. I suppose it boils down to how much time it consumes and how many times you need to show up for rehearsal and practices and whether you play at more than one service etc. In other words it is like a full time job or a ministry?

[blesedone1]

don't get paid, i praise the lord for god allowing me to even have a talent I didn't know that even exist in my being. it's a good feeling to play for the glory and honor of god. I don't' know what getting paid is like...but to god i give all the glory.

[csedwards2]

Yes Id continue, but my ears would be open like crazy for other opportunities

Had to come find my post in this thread to see if I was being true to my word.


This past Sunday, my church didnt pay me, citing tight finances/poor attendance as the reason, and he said he would pay me next week. I usually get paid weekly, so this is the first time this has happened. Now, God showed me that I'm moving to a new church soon (where I've been taking discipleship class since May), so I believe this is all apart of the transition for me to financially be able to afford the drop in finances every month, because the new church doesnt pay, at the moment. Im still playing at my current church, and I will show up next week and thereafter. But, if they reach a decision that is final about paying me or the other musician, and theres no hope to get paid again there, then I'll have to leave. I just hope my bass player doesnt leave.

[csedwards2]

Well, this is my bi monthly check-in...........

My last day is this Sunday coming. 11 weeks of not being paid. Almost 3 months. Anyway, the finance officer keeps looking for membership to gt back up because it took a dip in the summer. Well its practically November, and while the numbers did go back up a little, they are still not clearing the lease with enough left over for music ministry. I even offered to go back to my old rates, a 50% pay cut for me, and maybe a little less for the bassist, but he said no can do, until atleast 2011. Tomorrow, never comes. But it was time for me to leave anyway.

That discipleship class took a pause, but Ive still been getting fed awesome word at this new church. They are equipping me to stir up the other gifts I have inside, and giving me opportunities to use them through outreach, evangelism, and praying for people. I feel the Lord has lead me to this new place so I could be more useful to the Body. At the church Im leaving, all they had for me to do was play keys, and thats it. They dont do evangelism, outreach isnt much besides a dude doing jail ministry  (but I dont even hear about that anymore), they dont speak in tongues, the gifts are not operating, people dont even get prayed for in there like that. Its just turning into one of those dead churches, and God has called me out of it. Thank you Jesus!
          In my last few weeks, I tried to serve cheerfully, and honor my pastor even in her requests that I not leave the stage during the sermon, etc. so I wouldnt leave on a bad note. I also encouraged my bass player to stay during the beginning unpaid weeks, and he did, so we could leave without disrupting the music ministry too much. I also didnt put in my two weeks notice until after my MOM had her vacation, so she would be rested, and so she wouldnt leave immediately either. She said she appreciated it. Through it all, I cant mess up my witness by tearing up a whole church with my departure, so Im just trying to do it right, because I may need to minister to these people again one day.

So I just wanted to share to encourage those who are not getting paid in what this world calls a tough economy. But my God is supplying all my needs according to His riches and glory through Christ Jesus.

[Shalom123]

I have played for my church for free before, so yes I would continue.  However, I would not allow myself to be taken advantage of, meaning I couldn't allow people to make demands on me that they have for paid musicians.

I play for my church and get paid, but I don't dictate a salary to it.  I play for other churches, and do give my salary requirements.  In those cases, I do quick when they don't pay; unless they apologize and correct the matter immediately.

[johnniesmith]

I answered "No".

I would not be able to in good consciousness be able to continue playing, it has nothing to do with my faithfulness or obedience to God, it has to do with being able to live. To just STOP paying a full time musician but then expect that same musician to provide those same services you previously got for a salary is something I am not going to be a part of. It is not Gods plan the the Minstrels have outside employment.(Ref-Levites)

[frankmj52]

We don't get paid by our church we get paid by GOD, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  That is all the pay I need.

[edithjordan]

If they stop paying the preacher or the one who was bringing the word, I wonder woulkd they stop preaching?
I've been playing ever since I was in the 7th grade. I'm a proud 48. I've been at this church for over 15 years. This church now is the first church who ever paid me/ It started with $45 now up to approx. $200
Many musician laughed at me and my pay. But I didn't choose my ministry. it choose me. My pay is just a gift we call blessings. No I'm not worthy, but chances are I would continue only because it is a big part of my life....... a lot of work but My eyes are on the prize....the crown, the robe, and life everlasting.

[antonebrooks]

I would still play because I play for free now and have been for the last two years.  I do not play for the pastor or the church board, I play to lead worship to Jesus.  I know it is something I was called to do.  After the sacrifice Jesus made for my sake, how do refuse to lead His worship service because of money.  If Jesus asked me or called me to play, I just don't know how to turn Him down for not being paid cash.  He paid my price.  That being said, if a church can afford and wants to pay musicians I see nothing wrong with that.  That really is a blessing to be in that position.  I just can't see refusing to do the work of the Lord if a church can't or does not believe in paying musicians.  If the goal for us as musicians is to get paid as much as we can for the talents God has given us, why play in church.  The world will gladly pay talented musicans to play sinful music...

[misterP]

I'm with masses....I played before I was getting paid....if they stopped, it would be business as usual...

[Chinky]

In June 2011, I was informed that due to the fact that the members don't pay tithes and offerings during the summer as they do in other months, I would not get paid in July 2011.  It did not bother me because I know that God would take care of me. When I started playing for the church, many years ago,  I would never set a price or charge the church for playing, I would answer, "whatever the church could afford to pay, I would accept it."  If the church could not afford to pay me, I got nothing, and I continued to play with a willingness to do my very best.  In July 2011, I didn't get paid but I gave my tithes and offering every Sunday as I do throughout the year. God is still in the "Blessing Business" and I think the same thing will happen in July 2012.  That's alright, I serve a God who is still supplying all of my needs according to His riches in glory and He has never failed me yet and that is why I love Him so.  I am blessed to be gainfully employed but retirement is "looming" closer now.

[KlassikKayJay]

I play for God so my answer would be yes...I didn't know church musicians were on the payroll until this year. 

[Gemini47]

My answer is yes i would continue to play.  I play to glory of God. Playing is my offering of praise to God.