What I don't understand is why certain styles of music are considered worldly music? So if the world decided to adopt the hymn styles of music, does that mean us gospel musicians can't play those anymore? That man took what he classifies as gospel music and what he classifies as worldly music and tried to make an argument on how gospel musicians are trying to mix gospel with the world...but he failed miserably.
Now I looked up the definition of "musician" and this is what I come up with
musician: One who composes, conducts, or performs music, especially instrumental music
So since when does one have to read music to be considered a musician?
And to comment on the whole playing for money. Well I don't play for money because I don't really play for my church anymore. Since they found out I could sing, I sing more in the choir while another younger pianist(who I would say is more skilled than me) plays. But back to my point, I'd play for free..but when I get so good(skill wise) to the point I can play with the best of them...and then Im required to travel everywhere with the church, play sunday mornings and nights...midweek services...special events....well, would it be wrong for me to get paid? Would it be wrong for me to expect pay?
Playing piano is a gift just like any other gift. God blesses everyone with gifts. Some can play instruments...and guess what...some can design houses. Some can argue up a storm, and are therefore great lawyers. Some people are people persons and make great social workers. Some people are athletic and skilled in certain sports. Some people can sell a microphone to a mime, and are therefore great salesmen. Some people can act their butt off. Some people can teach and they just know how to put things together for others to understand. Some people are great with their hands and can build, put things together. Some people are computer smart.
My point is that those are all gifts. Should I not want to get paid for using my gift of teaching? Or sales? Or my ability to understand technology?
I cannot work at telemarketing jobs because I just suck on phones. Some people are GREAT on those jobs.They just know how to talk to people. Yes that sounds little, but believe it or not, thats a gift. Some people know how to talk to people on phones. Its all the same. In those jobs, as lawyers and accountants and teachers, we go after the higher paying jobs. People think when you do something church related, that its a different story. Its not about the church. Its about God. Its about our relationship with God and thats a broad topic and that can be interpreted deeply.
Now when you do something in the spirit, it should be clean. You shouldn't be playing for God and when they money gets low, you get pissy. But is it not possible for one to play for one church and get paid and they play in the true holy ghost spirit with an anointing...then a bigger church offers them more money...they are still doing Gods job and using their God given gift, while getting more money. Does accepting that job mean they aren't playing in the spirit and are incapable of doing that anymore?
THINK ABOUT IT...and I'll be happy to respond to comments because Im sure im gonna get flamed by someone lol....or at least, some will disagree