New member here with an serious issue @ church...

[Glorifyhim777]

Hi LGM,
Glad to be a part of the forum, and prayerfully grow and glean from you all..

Well my spirit is vexed if you will. And I have bee dealing with this issue for quite some time now (4-6 months)

Well first off I have been playing drums for 2 years and about 3 months. Got a begginner ddrum d2 kit with hhx/hh praise pack cymbals, all my own hardware, heads, pedals. Basically I invested a lot into what I love, which I'm sure you all know the price of these things.....  Expensive But I love playing for God, and God only.  So me being naive, what I like to call it, the church asked me to play for there anniversary. I am a member at this church also. So they asked me to play for them after they heard me messing around on the kit, and I didn't mind at all. They already had a drummer, but I guess he didn't take it serious. I on the other hand do understand as a worshipper and praiser how important my role is and I try to influence everyone on the praise team to take this serious.

But, back to the story...

I play for the anniversary, and 2 years later I'm still playing. I never asked for a dime, but once the economy hit me I was in a bad position. I'm still not working after a year and struggling just to buy sticks and keeps heads for service so God can get the praise he deserves, that's where my heart is. So naturally, I went to talk to them about paying me anything they possibly can, an offering. I'm here for all events, last one to leave, practice a lot. I'm constantly having to push the praise team and keyboarder to stay on top of their game.

So in the meeting, he tells me he can only play for the keyboarder and not me, I ask him for anything every week just to help with gas and sticks w/e I need while I'm in this runt so I can do what I need to @ church. He tells me he can't and he only pays the keyboarder cause he has to, and I'm basically not needed. Pastors have a funny way of telling you the worst things and making you feel good @ the same time... So I just swallowed it I'm still playing.

It just bothers me because they are only offering the keyboarder 100/wk which is nothing but they really don't know that I lead him almost all the time.. that's what vexes me. I'm learning songs and arangements,accents, arrangements, creshendos, deshendos and he learns them basically when I say do it.

My service is unto God and I'm not complaining because I don't get paid, I'm far from the best and learning everyday but my p.o.v is this. The pastor gets paid, this is all he does and we have to help him for lack of better words. I would think that out of a good heart they would say, you know you have been faithful and we will help with what we can. Gas sticks equip. I'm using my set everyweek... But I don't want to stop because the music part of the service will be horrific, the keyboarder hides behind me constantly but they don't see it. And they take up a musician(s)* offering I never get offered anything. And to top everything off we are looking for a bigger building... My logic is if you say you can't afford to offer me anything now, when the church has more expenses how can you offer me anything then.

Just seems unfair at times. I got other churches asking me to play and pay me, but my spirit is getting fed here aswell as my fiancee. Sorry for the long post just had to vent, you guys advice is definately wanted.. chime in where you see fit thx LGM 

[Glorifyhim777]

Was talking with him today about coming up playing wise, of course i was talking about both of us. i use to complain about him alot to other members in ignorance not knowing how i was corrupting the team, later found out we need to be one unit. so my new approach is uplifting, being optimistic, constantly pushiing him to get better. staying in contact with him through the week, growing a bond if you will. we are a team and thats what teams do every man mattters. but im not sure if he will advocate for me, he's told me many times i need you, and i depend on you things of that nature. The main reason i dont want to pull anyone else in this non sense is because i know a little yeast can do. it could possibly blow up into somthing bigger. before i make any rash decisions, i just like the weigh my options. maturity wise spiritually and physicaly we are a you team and can me moved by other peopls offenses and i know that thats why i wont involve anyone else. but i think i need to talk with them today after service about helping me out with gas/sticks/heads if that doesnt happen i may have to just take my kit back home and the keyboarder is going to have to hold it down for a while. I dont mind helping the church but im not in the position to at the moment maybe they will understand. i will consider that though sketchman, anyother opinions/advice ?

[docjohn]

Gl,I think the bigger issue is you are looking for man to provide instead of LORD.If you quit now,unless LORD gives you specific release-you will

come across as "it's my ball and if i can't pitch "  and so forth.

You have already shown some error in making power plays/demands/criticizing and some progress in realizing such.So-get alone with JESUS and seek HIS MIND.

You're struggling with the same issues as all musicians in church.How is NOT playing going to help-if you're getting spiritual meat-that's something.You gonna lay out of church? How will that help? So-if you're at church,why not play?If you have to drag all your gear,maybe lighten up?Miriam just had a tambourine -why not the same?  Tell pastor you can't justify humpin' all the gear around,want to help/participate,would be glad to play the churches set.

The church is wrong for dissin' you/value and your trying to "get even".Two bad errors;if you want to play and serve-PLAY.I've done this 17 PLUS years-and received $60 recently for one service(first time).

Why are you so broke? Do you work or you trying to make church work(for you)? It's cool to get paid-find another church that pays if that's the case.

Either way-from what I see so far,a new church is in your (near) future.

[Glorifyhim777]

You hit some key points docjohn, and i have thought about this all before. i did make the decision to take a break from drumming for a couple weeks. regardless if what your doing may seem helpful, if your doing it with the wrong heart its in vain anyway. So gonna take a couple weeks to get myself together and seek God about this whole situation w/o distractions. I know 2 years ago in december i got a word from God through a prophet saying that he was about to start chastising me, He said things are gonna get rough and it may seem like there is no way, but remember to endure. He said remember he loves those who he chastizes and that when i come out the fire im gonna be purer than Gold. a week after that word, i got layed off. i've had many many interviews but nothing came through but i know if Gods in control he's the only one that can promote me. Thats the issue financially and in some spiritual matters in my life. Im happy for it and like i said i learned alot and matured alot but just alot going on atm in my life and i need to re-evaluate my self. (self-examination trip lee..) but just have make sure im doing it out of a good heart and love, and not because no one else will play. But i do still feel like they could help a fellow saint out with 15 dollars a week or antyhing of that nature for gas and sticks knowing my situation. But the facts are facts and i everything that has happened in the past is gone. venting on here helped me alot and you guys helped me definately. gonna seek God for the rest and make sure my heart is in the right place most of all when worshipping.

Anymore input is wanted guys thanx for help and critisism, makes me a better person.

[docjohn]

Very cool bro-will lift you in prayer!!! I agree -church should practice what is preached(about $$$,servanthood,helps etc..)Too many ministries have a poverty mentality;always need to put their hand into your wallet-never dig for theirs.

You might want to look into some ministry material from Dereck Prince out of N.Carolina.He had a book called "Blessings and Curses" which might help.

[betnich]

...i use to complain about him a lot to other members in ignorance not knowing how i was corrupting the team...

The Bane of many ministries....complaining about people to others, instead of going to them directly (see Matt 18:15).
The worst part is that it gets back to the person being gossiped about, causing hurt, dividing and disrupting the team...

[Glorifyhim777]

Well I figured it was needless to say, but I went to the keyboarder and talked to him one on one. Told him how I felt about everything dealing with him. This actually happened last week. It's immaturity.. but God convicted me that's why I went to him directly and that's also why I won't drag him into what I'm going through now, I feel it would be immature to do.
And honestly betnich after doing that with the keyboarder we actually have a better musician relationship I don't let him get away with just playing anything and the same with me. We push each other now in a good way.  Yea it definately causes division and quiet quarrel amongst each other.  It's a terrible thing. I felt like a idiot going back to him and telling him that but, had to

[betnich]

Well I figured it was needless to say, but I went to the keyboarder and talked to him one on one. Told him how I felt about everything dealing with him. This actually happened last week. It's immaturity.. but God convicted me that's why I went to him directly and that's also why I won't drag him into what I'm going through now, I feel it would be immature to do.
And honestly betnich after doing that with the keyboarder we actually have a better musician relationship I don't let him get away with just playing anything and the same with me. We push each other now in a good way.  Yea it definately causes division and quiet quarrel amongst each other.  It's a terrible thing. I felt like a idiot going back to him and telling him that but, had to

That's good - iron sharpens iron...

[lorenz_j]

Remeber that God will supply all your needs



Matthew 6
New International Version


25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

[malthumb]

Glorifyhim777,

I'm going to come at this purely from a pragmatic direction.  As you spend more time on LGM and get to know some of the characters here, you'll come to find that that's what I do.  I leave the application and interpretation of Scripture to those more talented.

You came in and helped the church when it was having hard times by bringing your talents for the glory of God.

As a result, your talents increased.

You fell upon hard times and went to the church for assistance and you were denied.  On one hand, the church was responsible for the increase in your talents and also provides you spiritual growth and therefore owes you nothing.  On the other hand, the church as a community should be pre-disposed to helping those in need, particularly those of the flock, so helping you should be within their serious consideration.

Here's where the truth gets ugly......

"....they take up a musician(s)* offering  I never get offered anything..."

You, sir, are being taken for granted.  Not by God, but by those who manage his house.  And they may not be fully aware that they are doing so.  Trust me, as a bassist I've been there.  Unfortunately a lot of folks think the pianist / organist is THE musician and everyone else is supporting cast.......fill in.

Some say that when God closes a door (you being appreciated at your home church) he opens a window (offers you've received to receive compensation for your talents at other churches). Do not take this lightly.


You may want to consider if there is an opportunity to do both.  I have for several years gotten paid for playing one or two Sundays at one church while playing for no compensation (my choice) at my home church.

Peace,

James

[LaylaMonroe]

I wholly agree with Malthumb. Wholly and completely.

You are not seeing the forest for the trees. It's not even about money, it's simply a matter of being taken advantage of. And you are.

If I were you, and I needed money, I would go where I can earn money. Your talent is given to you for the purpose of provision. God gave you musical talent (and whatever other talents you have) so that you can earn a living and support yourself and your family or future family. People put their money on the things they value. That's a fact. For them to raise a musician's offering and not include all the musicians... that's just a slap in the face. Very insulting and it should tell you what they think of you as a part of the team. You have offers elsewhere. The least you should do is prayerfully consider those offers. As a man, you have a specific, God-given responsibility to maximize the return on your talents.

[jonesl78]

#1 Hang in there, pray, and read the word. Surround yourself with the truth by listening to sermons in the car, in your home, while you're sleep, etc.  You'll be amazed what this will do! Fight the good fight of faith and do not faint!

#2 To be honest, the piano/guitar are generally valued more than any other instrument. This is also true in the secular music world. I work part time at a school of music. Most clients want to learn the guitar or piano. Consequently, piano and guitar teachers are in demand. Musicians tend to appreciate drums more than a church congregation or the church finance department. My point is that you should make sure you work for God and not man. 

On the other hand, God has provided you a gift and your gift will provide compensation for you. Study and show thyself approved. Learn all you can about your gift. Learn how to read charts, direct a band, teach potential drummers, learn other instruments, learn about music production, ect.

#3 You said you were being fed. That is very important and a good reason to stay at your home church. However, you can't go to church if you cant afford to put gas in your car. God has blessed us with wisdom. Its okay to take a leave of absence if you need to put food on the table. Also, there is no point of waiting till you absolutely have no money in your pocket to make that decision. God knows your heart. Your gift was created to be used in ministry. Keep focused on ministry and God will be a provider.