“Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priest and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord” II Chron.31:4.
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait on the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so had the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel?” 1 Cor.9:13-14
The maintenance of Music Ministers has until now generated some level of controversies and deep thoughts on the mainstream of some Churches while the mention of it has been discarded long ago from the list of issues to be considered in many other Churches. Many of these Churches out of reasons best known to them consider the maintenance of Church Music Ministers as a no-issue because the Music Ministers are rendering a service unto God so they are considered as part of the help ministry, while some have been able to design a salary package for their Music Ministers so as to make sure they are well taken cared for. Some have asked why they should be appreciated or supported financially. The perspective the Music Minister is looked at has contributed a lot to his plight in some Churches. The Music Minister is not seen first as a minister of the Gospel who earns his living preaching the Gospel. He is sometimes seen first as an entertaining musician. How tragic! Whatever might have been the reason why this is so does not in any way make it right. Music Ministers are ministers of the Gospel who decided to preach the Good News through the instrumentality of music. An anomaly in their behavioural pattern does not cancel them from being ministers it just shows they need to understand the demands of the ministry placed in their hands.
Except they are seen as co-ministers with the Word ministers little progress will be achieved in the Music Minister’s maintenance and mutual relationship.
The action of neglect has not come without its own consequences which include a silent exodus of Church musicians to the secular system which appears to have a better package for them. Many take on jobs at night clubs, hotels, jazz lounges, ship cruises etc. just to meet up with their daily needs which the Church sometimes fails to see. The question now arises as to whether the Church is losing its musicians or the musicians are losing the Church?
