The Head Pastor of the Pentecost International Worship Center in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, Pastor Emmanuel Kyei Boateng has lamented the high attrition rate among singers and Instrumentalists in Church.
Pastor Kyei who is part of the Music Ministry of the Church of Pentecost stated that Churches are seriously losing Singers and Instrumentalists to the secular world hence calling on the Church, in general, to rethink its position not to financially appreciate singers and Instrumentalists in the Church.
“Charley the rate at which we are losing Church musicians (instrumentalists especially) to the secular world in Ghana is serious oo.”
“The Church (I mean Church universal) needs to start rethinking its position on this matter of handling instrumentalist’s oo so we don’t end up losing many of them to hell hmm. I’ve seen one of my guys playing for a secular artiste and I’m sad hmm”
There has been an unending debate about whether or not Churches must pay Singers and Instrumentalists.
Many Churches in Ghana believe the services of singers and Instrumentalists are talents given by God to support His ministry therefore must not be paid.
But opposing views believe the service of this group of people is a professional service being rendered to the Church therefore the need to pay them as they dedicate almost all their time in Church without engaging in any serious income-generating activities to take care of themselves and families.
Opoku Sanaa, a columnist recently stated in a publication on Ghanaweb.com that, 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 the payroll. Well, that remains most church musician’s 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 Churches instrument”… so why pay musicians. Others see remuneration of musicians as a way of encouraging and appreciating talent and hard-earned skills.
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, others 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 provide 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 cannot 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
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
