Many churches are establishing contracts with musicians and ministers of music. This may sound unnecessary in the church, but there is NOTHING that causes more contention than a misunderstanding over money....whether in the church or secular. We might as well face 2008 reality. I played for a church about 20 years ago that docked pay. I thought it was ridiculous. It was as if they thought of reasons to dock. Example: one Sunday night service I showed up sick as a dog. The pastor knew this. I played through the whole service. When he was preaching, I left. (He was not a 'hooping' preacher so he needed no organ during his sermon). The only thing I would have missed is the closing song (congregational). I was docked HALF my weekly pay.
We often hear about people playing for money as a bad thing. But consider this: the last church I played for as a non-member, I was there for 5 years...EVERY Sunday (except one about 4 years ago when I was on vacation). There was no contract...no understanding or consideration about 'out of the ordinary' things. When Choir day was coming up I worked extra hard...sometimes committing to extra weekly rehearsals. Often they had to sing elsewhere on Sundays and during the week. No extra pay. However, the Sunday I was on vacation, I did not receive pay. I am negotiating with a church right now coming on board as a MOM. No need in pretending to not want certain things and then be bitter about it later when you don't get it. In addition to the office they're offering and the salary, part of MY request is a paid vacation. After a year, I should be able to miss a Sunday and not be docked when I'm faithfully there at all times (my opinion).
Inasmuch as we hear about musicians "just being out there for the money" (and some ARE), we also have to address the issue of churches that take advantage of musicians. If you don't have 'bred' musicians within your OWN congregation, you can't get touchy about having to PAY a musician to minister in your services...and if you never compensate for the 'extras' but are quick to dock for being late or services missed (especially when notified in advance) the church will be once again LOOKING for a musician.
On my SECULAR job, I am a salaried manager. Just this week I was late one day because of going to the doctor to have blood work done as part of my annual physical. However, we also had an early morning meeting this week and a training session that included a "working lunch" (no lunch break that day). My check won't be docked for any time missed...it all balanced out.
I've interviewed with a few churches lately and two of them mentioned contracts. I think that's the future....it's more of a covenant than a contract. We're not going to sue each other, but when you put things in writing you understand YOUR obligations and they understand THEIRS.
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