Required With No Pay - Part 2

Ok. I hope you read part one to this blog, because you will need to to understand this one. I know this topic could be very controversial, but I thought it needed to be said.

I don't want to come of like I'm ranting or anything, but just really want to bring some awareness to this issue that has gone on in the church for so long.

We all want to be treated fairly in every part of our lives. So why not start with this area in your church (if you are a church leader of some sort).

What we don't want to do is have people overwhelmed and frustrated to the point where they don't want to serve in the church at all.

I have felt this way before where it felt like what I did was never enough. You're there faithfully, letting the Lord use you to bless others. And then when you tell them you will be gone a Sunday or two they want specifics like their paying you.

No. This is not exceptable. You can't treat me like a corporate employee in a voluntary position. I won't allow it for myself. But there are others that will.

Don't abuse God's people. Don't continue this attitude that most of us were raised with just because it' s familiar.

All I'm asking is that you be wiser with your position than those before you. Be wiser with God's people than those before you. Don't continue to take advantage their gifts and keep putting other unnecessary things before those who have been faithful.

And please, don't use God as an excuse for you to manipulate people into feeling convicted for taking time off. They are not going to hell.

In saying all this...just make sure you take care of home first (church) before paying others thousands and more to come build up your music ministry.

Just think, maybe if your own people were paid or felt more appreciated they might do better. And no it's not about the money......but the principle!

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Ledisi sings a Quincy Jones song "If I Ever Lose This Heaven"

Required With No Pay

When is enough, enough? When will we get to a point where we stop taking advantage of people with musical abilities in the church?

Ok. this may seem harsh, but really, everyone that has or does sing for a ministry and is/was not paid has felt this at least once in their lives!

Why do most (not all) church leaders feel the need to pay other (non musical) ministers or other guest 'speakers' for events/conferences but don't want to pay, ok let's just say it.....the singers!

A lot of times musicians get paid (not all the time though and not always every musician, sometimes only the minister of music). But for some reason, most churches don't feel that the singers are worth paying. Hmmm, That is amazing!

Are singers not relevant? Do you think because they do not preach (although some do), or play an instrument for the service (although some can) they are not worth paying?

Well last I noticed, they are the first one's on the front line (spiritually speaking). And they (if anointed) get the atmosphere set before the preaching even takes place.

So I still to this day do not understand why in the world are christian, church singers the most non paid people in the church (especially black churches), but still have requirements that they have to follow, just as much as the paid people. Hmmmm.

In today's churches, most have at least 3 to 4 times out of the week that you are required to attend. Be it rehearsal, bible study and then regular service. And don't even speak about special events that you have to be at outside of that (conferences, seminars, revivals etc.). But yet there is no pay.

When is the line drawn between using someone up and paying them for their gifts, talents and spiritual contributions to the church? When is it going to be ok to start taking singers serious enough to actually think they are ministers too....just of music (no title needed).

The thank you's and we appreciate you's does not pay for the gas to get them back and forth from your church and any other event your praise team has to sing at.

Now I do understand that some churches are not financially stable to pay everyone. But don't take advantage and then get upset when they can't be at one of your events because they have a paid one to attend.

Yes I KNOW! Their gift should be as unto the Lord, but shouldn't yours too? Their gift is no less than any other gift in the body of Christ. And 9 times out of 10 I'm sure they have been serving your ministry for years and backing you and your anointing.

This also goes to those who are having conferences, workshops etc. and want someone to sing at your event that does not belong to your church. Don't ask someone to sing if your are not willing to pay them. As business etiquette, ask them up front what they charge and if it's too high, tell them what you can afford. This way you can come to an agreement and every party goes in the deal with an understanding.

That's all for now. Part 2 later....