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The Biblical principle is "a worker is worthy of his hire". But also there's nothing wrong with someone volunteering (assuming it's truly, as the word inherently means, "voluntary"). In my experience most churches have no shortage of willing musical volunteers; the question is how talented or competent they are. Smaller churches, aside from not being able to afford professional musicians, have a tendency to value earnestness over talent. So do smaller businesses, non-profits, smaller "anythings" basically.
In general if any org wants truly pro musical services then they will have to pay for them or do without. This is what seems to be happening from my observation although honestly I haven't done much first-hand observing in the past couple of decades.
Just wanted to get people's opinions on this question. Thanks.
It depends on the church's objective. Some churches desire to put on a well-orchestrated performance. I think it should be left to the congregation to make a joyful non-orchestrated noise, no matter how off-key.
The Biblical principle is "a worker is worthy of his hire". But also there's nothing wrong with someone volunteering (assuming it's truly, as the word inherently means, "voluntary"). In my experience most churches have no shortage of willing musical volunteers; the question is how talented or competent they are. Smaller churches, aside from not being able to afford professional musicians, have a tendency to value earnestness over talent. So do smaller businesses, non-profits, smaller "anythings" basically.
In general if any org wants truly pro musical services then they will have to pay for them or do without. This is what seems to be happening from my observation although honestly I haven't done much first-hand observing in the past couple of decades.
Yes, true volunteership is fine (as well as good!), and there’s definitely a difference when members of the congregation offer their services as opposed to outside vendors. I think that if younger children or adolescent congregants, say, perform a magic show or serve as the house band at a plain-old social function, it’s nice to give a little bit of compensation to reward hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
Most musicians in Protestant churches are volunteering their time and talents. As someone who has done that, it's a joy to give without expectation of $.
Apparently there's a very different attitude and mindset in synagogues.
I've been to many churches where there are professional musicians getting paid for their services. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone has to make a living. If they want to donate their fee to the church, that's their business, not mine.
The salaries of Church Organists in the US range from $18,720 to $141,440 , with a median salary of $49,920 . The middle 50% of Church Organists makes $49,920, with the top 75% making $141,440.
Do you think your Protestant churches are more altruistic than other churches? And you certainly know nothing of synagogues. You made your attitude and mindset very apparent.
Just wanted to get people's opinions on this question. Thanks.
Our church pays a local pianist to play 1 Sunday a month. It's a nominal charge. I wish we had talent in the church to play, but there just isn't. We are a small church body and we just don't have anyone.
What does one expect the small church in our position to do? I'm not talking about the megachurch that pays a rock band to perform every week. I mean a simple little church that pays a musician.
Our church pays a local pianist to play 1 Sunday a month. It's a nominal charge. I wish we had talent in the church to play, but there just isn't. We are a small church body and we just don't have anyone.
What does one expect the small church in our position to do? I'm not talking about the megachurch that pays a rock band to perform every week. I mean a simple little church that pays a musician.
That seems fair, just as smaller nonprofits have fewer resources to expend than larger nonprofits, and vendors are sometimes willing to adjust their rates accordingly.
If the Church takes in a lot of money,....'Why not?'
The Church is a Non-profit organization....which means 'the Church is NOT ALLOWED to Show a Profit' at the end of their tax year. That money must be spent on something related to church activities.
Pay the Musicians, pay security, pay custodial, pay the pastor. What's wrong with making a Profit?
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