You’re the leader of a music ministry, and you’ve got a major presentation coming up. The church across town always hires their players and maybe even a guest soloist or two and you’re wondering if you should too. Well, this perspective comes from a guy who has hired and not hired many times – maybe I can help.
Here’s five questions to ask:
1. Can we really afford this?
Hiring musicians can be very expensive and if you have not budgeted and planned way in advance, it just might be a budget breaker for you. Make sure you know what it will cost (don’t agree to hiring anyone without agreeing to the fee) and that you have plenty of room in your budget.
2. Do the values of this person (or people) line up with our church’s values?
You can actually do harm by bringing in someone who has a different set of values and beliefs than you and your church hold. Does this person have the reputation of being servant oriented or demanding? Call around and check someone out thoroughly before you open your ministry up to a person from the outside – no matter how awesome they sing.
3. Will I neglect anyone if I hire this person?
By hiring someone, are you reducing the opportunities for people that serve in your ministry? Will you have individuals whose abilities will be shelved because you brought in someone from the outside?
4. What is the draw?
If this is a solo artist, do they bring attention to the event that is needed to draw community interest? Do they add to the presentation by adding a spiritual or dynamic element you would not have otherwise?
5. Am I ready for another level of complication?
Anytime you bring in a person or people from the outside, you add a level of complication to your program. You’ll be dealing with meals, lodging, travel details, merchandise tables, and hosting duties in addition to everything else you will be doing. You’ll need help, and it will take more of your time than you might imagine.
If you have one or more negative answers to these questions, I would urge caution.
So, is there a way you can know if it is the right time to bring in a guest musician or some extra players? Yes! If a person brings a spiritual energy with a musical ability that can compliment and enhance a presentation – and do so in a cost effective way that you are prepared to cover – adding a dynamic that will involve more of your community, without adversely affecting the participation of the people God has placed in your ministry…
…THEN you can start to pray about it.
Mike Harland
Director, LifeWay Worship
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