Should churches pay their musicians?

Over the past years, the question of paying musicians and singers in a worship environment has been a hot topic of discussion.

If you ask churches who are paying their musicians, they have valid reasons for doing so.

If you ask those who aren’t, they too have valid reasons. What is the best scenario? What is the ideal for the local church?

To answer the question of whether a worship team member should be paid or not is a difficult one. There are so many factors to consider in every situation.

Seasoned entrepreneur & renowned Ghanaian bass guitarist Opoku Sanaa has shared his view on the subjective issue.

He wrote on his Instagram page

It makes so much sense to pay a person for services rendered and i guess it will make much more sense to put Church musicians(instrumentalists) on payroll. Well, that remains most church musicians plea.

However, every church has a different view on this based on differences in policies, doctrines, structures & interpretation of the scriptures (I guess).

Some see it as a sign of loyalty and a privilege for musicians to even touch “the Church’s instrument”… so why pay musicians? Others see remuneration of musicians as a way of encouraging and appreciating talent and hard earned skill.

Some even go as far as providing accommodation and educational scholarships up to university for their musicians. Whichever way you look at it, it boils down to church differences and different understandings of Pastors, church leaders and their doctrines.

Fellow musicians, don’t get caught up in this controversial (perhaps unending) topic which started in the days of King Solomon.. (i guess lol)!

The truth is, some pastors will understand, other won’t! Don’t waste your time arguing over this “subjective” topic.

You can quote all the scriptures in the Bible to support your argument but don’t expect mindsets to change. Guess what, the same scriptures provides different discernment and understanding for everyone.

If you want to do church business, it’s okay, but look for a church that pays and relocate.

If for some reason(s) your current church doesn’t believe or can not afford to pay its musicians, 2 ways; you either search for & move to a new church that pays musicians or stay in the same non-paying church (with no complaint).

Better still, find another job.