MusIc To hIs EaRs?

Having been actively involved in this for nearly twenty years, I need to post some questions for us to consider and I am positive that a lot of people are not going to get the "warm and fuzzies" from this one but here goes....

What is the responsibility of someone who works in a corporate setting?

Isn't it the norm that the organization has a set of guidelines and standards that the individual must follow?

What happens when they violate the rules of conduct?

In most cases, the violator of the guidelines would be relieved of his/her duties on the grounds that they were in opposition to the policies they agreed to prior.

That doesn't seem to imply to "church musicians" though.

I remember the "humble brags" from singers who serve on two or three choirs a week. Or the keyboard players or drummers that have multiple gigs so they can't stay to hear the Word being preached. It's been speculated long before now that this is the result of a commitment issue. Not a commitment to one's craft but more a commitment to the organization one would serve in.

Who bears the most responsibility? Is it the churches that take advantage of the fact that they are a church so anyone playing for them on a given Sunday service shouldn't expect to be compensated and should play for "the glory of the Lord"? Or does the responsibility fall on the musicians who might use the church and their obvious needs for help as a launchpad into a music career, or at the very least, a part time job?

All musicians are not created equal in this case. I know several who love the Lord and play music for the love of it and because they love serving in a selfless capacity. Then I know the other end of the spectrum where musicians cringe at the thought of sitting in a pew and listening to the Word of God being taught. They want to do their job and go home. They are, in effect, disconnected from what is taking place in the ministry.

So here's some questions for reflection: Should it be mandatory that a church musician (whether they are being paid or not) be a believer who adheres to the statutes of what a Christian is supposed to be based on the Word of God? Should they have to be involved in the ministry in other areas such as Bible Studies, Sunday schools, Outreach, etc? Or should it be allowable to have musicians serve essentially as "hired help" and not expect them to be involved with any of the religious services or any expectation of a commitment to God in lifestyle or practice? How important is it, in your opinion, that a person hired to serve in a role within a religious organization abide by the rules of said organization and be active participants in what the organization believes in?

Whether one is standing on a pulpit with a guitar in their hands or standing on a stage behind a piano, they have an influence over the listening audience, good or bad. This isn't meant to be an assault against church musicians, a group I was joyfully a part of, but this is a question about commitment and where it should be placed.

It's not just church musicians. It's for anyone who serves in ministry. Can we truly be effective in a setting like this without subscribing to what the organization believes is valid and have a lifestyle that matches that belief? Does the Lord care about the skillfulness in which we serve or play music or does he care more about the heart with which we serve or a little bit of both?

Which side of the discussion are you on? This may change nothing in real terms but I'd love to hear your perspectives. If nothing else, maybe we see our commitment levels a little differently. Just maybe.