Worship Musicians — Paid or Unpaid

Worship Musicians — Paid or Unpaid

Man . . . does this subject get worship leaders riled up. Should worship musicians and vocalists on worship teams be paid? Hired guns? Should they be God-fearing Christians and join the church, or at least be good people? Is it cool for the paid worship musician to roll in after their 3am gig, having slept in the church parking lot? Or are you just glad they made it in time for the first service?

Or should worship teams be composed of one paid worship leader (paid well or not paid well is beside the point), and a slew of really awesome volunteer worship musicians whose skills range from awesome to “I sang in my high school choir”? Should the worship time really be the church’s Sunday Morning Talent Show? Or are we overlooking a huge talent pool?

All In Favor of Paid?

Those with large “approved” budgets think that having paid worship musicians and singers is the only way to go. It honors God the best by offering the highest quality music possible, geared towards the people standing around watching . . . sorry, I mean worshipping. Rehearsal is a breeze.These bands can play anything you throw at them, and usually that shows in the set list. Complex worship songs (such as any Israel Houghton non-mainstream tune), favorite secular tunes and creative musical interludes are no problem for a stage full of vocational players and singers. These artists usually make their living giggin around town, so it is very likely that your congregation will encounter them at local venues, and hopefully they will attract their fan base to the church . . . hopefully.

Also, it is much easier to present a diverse stage with a paid team. A fully diverse church is hard to find, so hiring in the diversity for the stage is sometimes a necessity. What a treat it is to present mainstream contemporary Christian music with a black-gospel or hispanic edge.

And a great band is really good for the songwriting-worship leader’s career. The band sounds great on the stream, and the record label will really dig that!

The void here can sometimes be spiritual depth. This hired team may pray together a few

times on Sunday morning, you know, the “God, please don’t let us screw up today” prayer we all say before we walk out? But anything past that might above the pay grade. They don’t do devotions together. Expect for the few hours on Sunday morning, these people do no hang out tougher, unless of course it is at a gig. This lack of spiritual closeness is felt when there is an incident or need. I have seen several people on our team have life events (births, deaths, diagnosis and surgeries) which elicit little response from the team. It’s not out of apathy, but mostly out of a lack of true closeness.

All In Favor of Unpaid?

Flip the coin . . .all volunteer worship teams can be a joy, and a dread. If you are the lucky church that is filled to the brim with talented and proficient volunteer worship musicians and vocalists, get on your knees right now and thank God for the next 3 hours. You are blessed, lucky and well . . . in a unique situation. So many churches do not have the resources to fund a fully paid band, so 1–2 people get paid and the rest are what God drops in their lap, or who ever is left at the church.

These teams are normally proficient at mainstream worship tunes (Tomlin, Redman, later Hillsong, Bethel), but dear Lord, do not hand them a black gospel tune or ask for an EDM secular opening tune. Not gonna happen. The musicians can hide behind a single, capable worship leader. The vocals . . . well . . . there is no hiding rough vocals, unless you give that channel the “drop”. An average volunteer worship team can be very effective in leading a group of established believers in true and honest worship. A struggling worship team, leading a church focused on new believers, can drive people right back to their cars. You want to say “Lord, bless them” but truly mean “Lord, end this now”.

On the flip side, the mostly volunteer teams can be tight. They pray together. They do cell-groups/life-groups together. They meet for coffee during the week. They send each other devotions. And when there is a life event . . . watch out. They are there for each other. Your frig will be full of food, your inbox will be full of encouraging memes and you will feel loved.

Where is the middle? A team of mostly paid people that encourages capable volunteers to serve with them, thus setting up the volunteers for great success? This works as long as the team leader continue to encourage the team to grow, always offering to them to join a group, pray together, encouraging them to take care of each other. A team of volunteers that hires a few in hired guns? This also works as long as the talent of the team is capable and equal.

And the winner is . . .

Sorry, there is not a right answer here. It’s a question to ponder, to debate and share.
 TUWL

photo from joshuadweiss.wordpress.com