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Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid?

by Darrell R. Alexander

254 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #05-0962; ISBN 1-4120-6061-3; US$39.99, C$45.99, EUR32.85, £22.99

"Church musicians should NOT get paid!" "Church musicians should BE paid!" What does the Bible say about this "controversial" subject? Where do you stand?

About the Book

Church musicians' compensation obfuscates many religious people. One commentator of a nationally syndicated religious radio program stated that from all the religious questions, none is as controversial as Should church musicians should be paid? Darrell Alexander resolves the answer through fundamental Bible texts.

If you are a church musician, minister of music, soloist, instrumentalist, choir member, church member, trustee, finance committee member, music workshop organizer, teacher, music workshop presenter, praise team member, interested in becoming a church musician, choir president, organist, pianist, choir director, chorister, church board member, deaconess, pastor, asst. pastor, deacon, professors, a bishop, a priest, a member of the leadership system for your congregation, denomination, and/or any religious organization, students of Theology, Music, Worship and Praise, Sacred Music, or just have a curiosity about whether church musicians should be compensated, then this book is a MUST READ for you!

Darrell Alexander, the author, discusses the foundations of the creation of the world, Lucifer and the war in Heaven, the Levites, tithes and offerings, and ways to bridge the gap between ministers, musicians, choir members, administrations, and leadership systems of churches, and religious denominations. How do we differentiate between who is compensated in the church or not compensated? The author prays that Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid?, helps to transform any assumptions of ideations, paradigms, and traditions, within churches and denominations and their leaders and members concerning the subject, so that we all may continue to strive for excellence in worship to God. Every church and its members and officials should have a copy in their library Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid? is "straight talk" concerning, music, excellence in worship, tithes, offerings, and the church.

About the Author

Darrell Alexander is an accomplished pianist, organist and minister of music, endowed by God with unique Spirit-filled, versatile, multi-genre's, natural and skillful musical talents.

Mr. Alexander has worked with such great talents as: Richard Penninman (Little Richard), and Clifton Davis. Darrell has held position as organist and pianist for "The Nashville Gospel Show" and musician for "The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour", Darrell has worked with additional Christian artists as: Shirley Caesar, Bebe & Cece Winans, The Clark Sisters, Bobby Jones, Vickie Winans, Billy & Sarah Gaines, and hosts of others Christian artists. His extensive CV in working with churches across the south and northeastern parts of the country includes, but not limited to : Berean S.D.A. and Ebenezer Baptist both of Atlanta, GA. Oakwood College S.D.A. of Huntsville, AL., Pleasant Green Baptist, Christ Church, Hillcrest S.D.A., Riverside S.D.A., Cleveland Street Baptist, Foster Chapel M.B. all located in Nashville, TN., Miller Memorial Baptist, True Gospel Tabernacle, North Philadelphia S.D.A., Enon Tabernacle Baptist, Germantown S.D.A., and Ebenezer S.D.A., all located in Philadelphia, PA., Salem Baptist-Jenkintown, PA., and The Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York City, Dr. Rev. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor, and Antioch Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY., pastor, Rev. D. Darrell Griffin. Darrell worked as either musician, minister of music, director of music, organist, and pianist at the previous churches.

In 2002, Dr. Charles F. Reese, Academic Dean of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, founded by the renown, Rev. Dr. James Cleveland, invited Darrell to teach the class, "Recommended Salary for Church Musicians". It was from this class, and the help of the students, and Darrell's present and past experiences as a church musician practitioner on how this book originated. Although "mega churches" are on the rise, many churches are dying because of "traditional" paradigm's concerning church music and structure of worship.

Darrell affirms, "Satan is very angry about this book, but God is in control". It has been confirmed throughout my life since taking on this assignment by God. When I finished the book, one Friday evening, I took extremely ill with chills, and shaking uncontrollably. The next day, I called my doctor and was diagnosed with cellulitus in my left leg. Nevertheless, I was commissioned by God to complete my assignment and with His help it is completed. "Thank you Jesus~!" Darrell encourages everyone with an assignment given to them by God to complete it! God rewards obedience.

The workbook and audio-book for Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid? will be available at: werocm.com

Excerpts

a. Chapter 1, page 1: " These Bible verses acknowledge God as the Creator and Maker of all things here on earth and in heaven. God was God before He created Earth. God has always been and always shall be. Why then, do creatures try to tell their Creator what to do? This is like a child telling his or her parent what to do. Parents have always lived before their children. However, Christ was the exception, having lived before His parents, Mary and Joseph, were born. This is why God is God. He is not restrained by earthly laws, time, or nature. God., the Son of man, lived before He was born."

"This controversy surrounding music and compensation for church musicians filters into all churches regardless of denomination or religious preference. The thought of paying church musicians full-time salaries has always caused commotion from the pulpit to the backdoor. The battles are ongoing. Satan is pleased, because it is just another one of his ploys to distract us from remembering Christ's self-sacrificial offering." Page 23

"Unfortunately, far too many leadership systems in churches are entangled with the minors and manufacture them into majors. God being Omnipotent, has already prearrange instructions on the management of church musicians and all other workers in the church as affirmed in His Word." Page 24

b. Chapter 2, page 25 " Satan is fully aware that deficiencies in the quality music rob God of pure unadulterated glory without spot or blemish. Thus, we are in the midst of the controversy because Satan is saying one thing, and Christ is saying the right things. It is imperative that leadership systems allow God to lead them in making accurate decisions concerning worship and music. Regardless of how minute an issue may appear, always seek God's guidance."

c. "Some church leaders have thought it necessary to set their earned education, practical experiences, personal agendas, and prejudices into the assessment-making process, thereby forfeiting spiritual guidance and Divine inspiration. Sef-righteousness impedes the growth of churches as opposed to what God had already given to Moses and Aaron. Remember Achan? We are given accounts in the Bible where one man impeded the blessings of an entire nation. Could not this be for the church of today?" Page 31

d. "Glorifying God through excellence in worship, praise, music, and adoration is the essence of this entire book....We all know what happens when the President of the United States visits anywhere; organizations set out only the best of everything for his visit." Page 37

e. "The congregation, the choir, the ministers, the musicians, and everyone in the House of God have used more than one of their senses, to sing, to listen, to think, to meditate, to stand, to see, to feel, and to unfold the interpretation of the dancers. They have witnessed two or more people worshipping God in their own way and with their unique talents of the arts. Everyone is permitted to look on as the koinonia worshippers worship God. It is just them and God. Such power, such honor, such humbleness is manifested. Oh, to be able to witness such an even!" page 55

f. "The leadership systems in many churches fail to understand why they are having such difficulty in raising the monies needed for this and that project. We must learn how to invest in worship, and all these things will come. Biblical history has shown us that one man or woman can impede God's blessings on an entire nation, church, denomination, or on more than just yourself. Remember Achan?" page 73

g. "We must not forget that our gifts are only temporary and can be taken away. We musicians must never feel that the church cannot worship without us. The real deal is that Christ can run His program without you or me. It is now a privilege for me to be a musical servant of Christ and to share my God-given gifts with others." Page 94

h. "Satan steps right in when we open our doors to self-exaltation. We must be mindful that all of our talents are from God, and He alone deserves ALL of the accolades. It is one thing to have confidence, but quite another when that confidence puffs up to pride. Any confidence we may have in our abilities or life status' should be grounded in what God has done for us, rather than in human achievement." Page 97.

i. "For Christ to give up His royal and priestly duties and come to earth to make Himself lower than the angels to live and work in human flesh for 33 years, is the epitome of humility...Imagine how He feels when we do not choose Him as Lord of our lives today." Page 98

j. "When we are willing to produce synergistic worship to God regardless of the cost, churches will flourish more for God. When we allow our pride and our selfishness to surface, God cannot be given synergistic praise. Musicians and pastors must learn to work as a team. Do not permit Satan to implant pride in your hearts. All departments of the body of Christ should work together as one unit. It is in this realm where God can be given synergistic worship." Page 100