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Main => Gospel Music Lounge => Topic started by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 11:02:35 AM

Title: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 11:02:35 AM
I was just wondering, if you guys are members of the church you played for. And If you notice a difference between the musicians who are members of where they play and those who are not.

I've been playing at church, for the past three months, and yesterday the pastor, asked me if I ever planned on joining his church, and if my home church had a problem with me being there. I told him I had no intentions of leaving my home church to join his. They are nice people and his preaching is always on point, but I dont see myself being there even next year, let alone a few years.

I dont really need advice, so you dont have to respond to my situation, I just want to know your opinions on the bolded questions.

Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: jeremyr on March 24, 2008, 11:07:43 AM
No.  There's nothing wrong with being a contracting musician.

Now if the church wants you to be a member or not is up to them.

Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: LaylaMonroe on March 24, 2008, 11:16:06 AM
I was just wondering, if you guys are members of the church you played for. And If you notice a difference between the musicians who are members of where they play and those who are not.

I can't answer the first question because I'm not a musician.

As an employer (or rather, former employer), I've never noticed a difference between musicians who are members and those who are not.  I find that as long as contracted musicians are paid on time and afforded dignity and respect, and all the tools they need to do their job, they are as committed as any other church member - sometimes even more so.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: GodChosinOne on March 24, 2008, 11:49:17 AM
NO..
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: uriahsmusic on March 24, 2008, 11:52:32 AM
...I think in general hired guns are a problem
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 12:18:00 PM
...I think in general hired guns are a problem

how so?
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: BigFoot_BigThumb on March 24, 2008, 12:25:04 PM
Everybody but my home church has hired me.  And they knew that I played.  I was only worthy of filling in, which I never did because I considered it an insult.  Pure Politics.  Also, my home church showed me the same thing.

So the answer is NO!
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: themidiroom on March 24, 2008, 12:28:59 PM
...I think in general hired guns are a problem
I am not a member of the church I play for.  They treat me just like family.  I'm really the only musician other than a young guy that's learning to play the drums.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 12:39:29 PM
Everybody but my home church has hired me.  And they knew that I played.  I was only worthy of filling in, which I never did because I considered it an insult. 

That was me. It felt kinda wierd having outside people, support me more than my home church.


Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: BigFoot_BigThumb on March 24, 2008, 12:44:55 PM
That was me. It felt kinda wierd having outside people, support me more than my home church.



In my cae I think that the MOM felt threatend by me because of all that I do and how I was introduced to them(as a drummer, bass player, keyboardist, writer, and producer.  And I did the sound for the church).  I may be wrong, but that's the vibe I got.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 12:48:40 PM
In my cae I think that the MOM felt threatend by me because of all that I do and how I was introduced to them(as a drummer, bass player, keyboardist, writer, and producer.  And I did the sound for the church).  I may be wrong, but that's the vibe I got.

Same thing with me. Me and the MOM were cool until I started play better than him (just keepin it real). This dude was jealous of every single guest musician we ever had.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: Mysteryman on March 24, 2008, 01:02:37 PM
I was just wondering, if you guys are members of the church you played for. And If you notice a difference between the musicians who are members of where they play and those who are not.

I have found that some churches in the long run want you to become a member. Usually when they hint at you becoming a member it means. When we get you to become a member then we plan on cutting your pay or pressure you into giving your pay as a love offering from time to time. lol
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 01:08:34 PM
I have found that some churches in the long run want you to become a member. Usually when they hint at you becoming a member it means. When we get you to become a member then we plan on cutting your pay or pressure you into giving your pay as a love offering from time to time. lol

I agree. I think that since i'm playing for free, that they wanna make me a member and make me stay with them No Sir. Not happening.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: jonesl78 on March 24, 2008, 01:47:39 PM
I agree. I think that since i'm playing for free, that they wanna make me a member and make me stay with them No Sir. Not happening.

why do you choose not to become a member?
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: jdholliday on March 24, 2008, 01:52:32 PM
I agree. I think that since i'm playing for free, that they wanna make me a member and make me stay with them No Sir. Not happening.
You maybe right, but follow Prov 4:7 to cut out the guessing.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: Mysteryman on March 24, 2008, 02:30:33 PM
I agree. I think that since i'm playing for free, that they wanna make me a member and make me stay with them No Sir. Not happening.
Didn't know you were playing for free. So that is translated we better keep him before someone else gets him.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: phatstrings on March 24, 2008, 02:52:20 PM
I have found that some churches in the long run want you to become a member. Usually when they hint at you becoming a member it means. When we get you to become a member then we plan on cutting your pay or pressure you into giving your pay as a love offering from time to time. lol

Some but not all.I joined the church i play for as a paid musician and gradually became integrated into more activities (Youth fellowship and stuff). Currently i am the Music director.My cheques dont come late and a raise seem to be around the corner.It all depends on the personality of the leaders.If they appreciate what you do,they'll want you to stay without looking to 'preach' you out of getting paid
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: T-Block on March 24, 2008, 05:52:44 PM
I was just wondering, if you guys are members of the church you played for. And If you notice a difference between the musicians who are members of where they play and those who are not.

Yes, I am a member of the church I play for.

The only difference I notice between musicians who are members and ones who are not is the attendance.  Musicians who aren't members show up when they want to and leave when they want to.  As far as playing, there's not really a difference, it all depends on the person and his/her skill level.

On a side note, I don't think I could ever play for an extended period of time at a church I wasn't a member of.  That's just me.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: musallio on March 24, 2008, 06:15:11 PM
I have found that some churches in the long run want you to become a member. Usually when they hint at you becoming a member it means. When we get you to become a member then we plan on cutting your pay or pressure you into giving your pay as a love offering from time to time. lol

Which is really sad & I don't think Jesus would approve of such because it's literally stealing from some1 ::)..
Just keep paying the player should they decide to join your church..The only time you cut their pay/ don't increase it should be upon their insistence..

Otherwise there shouldn't be any dramatic changes if justice is to be upheld.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: musallio on March 24, 2008, 06:26:28 PM
Some but not all.I joined the church i play for as a paid musician and gradually became integrated into more activities (Youth fellowship and stuff). Currently i am the Music director.My cheques dont come late and a raise seem to be around the corner.It all depends on the personality of the leaders.If they appreciate what you do,they'll want you to stay without looking to 'preach' you out of getting paid

Good 2 read about justice being exercised.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: Vangie D on March 24, 2008, 06:44:34 PM
It depends on the rules of that church, With my church you do.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: bishop424 on March 24, 2008, 07:26:19 PM
I was just wondering, if you guys are members of the church you played for. And If you notice a difference between the musicians who are members of where they play and those who are not.

I've been playing at church, for the past three months, and yesterday the pastor, asked me if I ever planned on joining his church, and if my home church had a problem with me being there. I told him I had no intentions of leaving my home church to join his. They are nice people and his preaching is always on point, but I dont see myself being there even next year, let alone a few years.

I dont really need advice, so you dont have to respond to my situation, I just want to know your opinions on the bolded questions.



From that no. If I am hired musician then I have a job to do. But when a Pastor asks you to become a member then you hiring stats changes to a servant with less pay. Now on the other hand most churches might let you keep the salary that you are getting at this point.

   
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: amandaag on March 24, 2008, 07:45:55 PM
i don't think musicians should necessarily be members of the church they play for. It's their choice whether they want to join the church and do more stuff or just come to the church to play. If you are not planning to stay and/or play for the church for a long period of time, then you shouldn't join the church. If you are an evangelist-musician who travels to different churches and play, then joining a church is not recommended (in my opinion).
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: malthumb on March 24, 2008, 07:52:35 PM
My pianist and I both play at two churches.  At 8:30, we play at my home church.  At 11:00 we play at his home church.  My church pays him.  His church pays me.  It is highly unlikely that either of us would ever become a member of the other's church because of differences in worship styles and political leanings.  We both know and respect a lot of people at each other's churches, but are each more at home with our respective home churches.

Peace,

James
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: 4hisglory on March 24, 2008, 07:53:47 PM
I personally thing musicians should be members in most cases. 
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: under13 on March 24, 2008, 07:59:03 PM
why do you choose not to become a member?

I think the post below sums it up. I'm not crazy about the songs that they do, They be doin some wierd songs, But I dont think I'll find a church whre I can play a B3 for the whole service. So when I get good enough, I'll go somewhere else.

  It is highly unlikely that either of us would ever become a member of the other's church because of differences in worship styles and political leanings.  We both know and respect a lot of people at each other's churches, but are each more at home with our respective home churches.
Peace,

James
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: musallio on March 24, 2008, 09:22:06 PM
i don't think musicians should necessarily be members of the church they play for. It's their choice whether they want to join the church and do more stuff or just come to the church to play. If you are not planning to stay and/or play for the church for a long period of time, then you shouldn't join the church. If you are an evangelist-musician who travels to different churches and play, then joining a church is not recommended (in my opinion).

I don't know what message you intended to convey with this statement (whether a player should not be affiliated to any church or whether they should not leave their church to affiliate under the 1 they are currently playing at? ?/?)

I know 1 of our players is affiliated under us, but he can't play for us now because he is always playing for evangelists or playing at other churches where he is being payed.

I personally thing musicians should be members in most cases. 

Thanks for sharing this..one of our players has done this several times...sometimes they'd both be paid, sometimes not..depends on the deals they strike together.
Title: Re: Should Musicans be Members of the Church they Play for?
Post by: jdholliday on March 24, 2008, 10:28:40 PM
I think the post below sums it up. I'm not crazy about the songs that they do, They be doin some wierd songs, But I dont think I'll find a church whre I can play a B3 for the whole service. So when I get good enough, I'll go somewhere else.

This is intriguing please expound further.