Comments for Worthily Magnify

Comment on The Main Thing by Armando

Armando — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:23:08 +0000

Reblogged this on Mando, Mando Man and commented: Here is a great reminder that I've found is so easy to forget as you lead God's people in worship. If you lead worship at church, I hope you are encouraged, or in my case, a little convicted.

Comment on When Your Congregation Isn’t Into it by Jamie Brown

Jamie Brown — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:38:20 +0000

Oh yes, you’ll survive, Caroline.

And I think of moving to China about once every six Sundays. You’re not alone! Just keep on being faithful.

Comment on When Your Congregation Isn’t Into it by Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:32:52 +0000

I just had a really bad worship session this Sunday morning and what I have read here has really encouraged me. I dont know how I will face the people I know in the congregation when next I meet them (I had thought seriously about moving to China) but I now think I will survive. Thank you…

Comment on Have You Received Criticism Lately? by Chris Juby

Chris Juby — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:32:36 +0000

Thanks for sharing this. I’m always amazed how fruitful the most painful times can be. And then amazed by how much I still seek to be comfortable. Have mercy, Lord!

Comment on Have You Received Criticism Lately? by wmkunkel

wmkunkel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:22:28 +0000

I’ve been through this recently and had to be reminded that I always need to respond to criticism in Christ-like love. I am too often tempted to love only those who approve of what I’m doing, the hard part, more often than not, is loving those who question or even disapprove.

Comment on The Power of Worship in the Midst of Trials by Scott

Scott — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:21:02 +0000

Jamie-
WOW. What a sobering reminder that the church is not made of brick and mortar, rather a loving body of redeemed people who honor God from their hearts. Facilities can be replaced in a matter of months, but a body that responded in the manner you described probably took a generation to build. Find a new place to call home and do it with joy.

Comment on Hallelujah Chorus Trainwreck by Janelle

Janelle — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:10:51 +0000

OUCH! Ok, if you’re gonna mess up, make sure it’s not at the end, for the BIG finish! You can mess up at the beginning, or in the middle, then nail those big finale chords and all is forgiven. But, mess up the end and … oh no!

Comment on A Worship Leader’s Job Description and Pay by Jamie Brown

Jamie Brown — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:05:57 +0000

Hi Janelle,

Thanks so much for faithfully serving your congregation!

My post was written in response to a pastor who has a congregation of 300+. For a 10-hour-a-week worship leader to be paid $250 a week in that kind of church is fair.

In your case, with a congregation of 75-80 people, a budget deficit, and your role being a part-time one, then you’re right, $250 per week is not realistic or even possible. Most churches in that position would not pay anyone other than the pastor. To be paid anything is very kind of them.

You are doing the hard and important work of serving a small congregation. I know you’re not doing it for the money! God will use you for his glory and the building up of his church. Thank you for what you do.

Jamie

Comment on A Worship Leader’s Job Description and Pay by Janelle

Janelle — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:45:58 +0000

Wow. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor when I read your initial suggested salary. $250/week? [Insert hysterical laughter...]
I am a part-time Worship Leader in a small Ohio church (avg. attendance: 75-80). Between worship planning/preparation/practice, producing the bulletin, Powerpoint and a monthly newsletter, and leading one service on Sunday morning, I put in a solid 10 hours (sometimes closer to 12) per week. My pay? Less than 20% of your suggestion. The Director of Music at my church (who directs the choir, plays the organ & piano, and contributes to worship planning/preparation/practice, for a total of about 10 hours per week) makes less than half of your suggestion.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in this for the money. For the 10 years prior to accepting my current position, I was a volunteer choir director at another slightly larger church. There, I put in closer to 20 hours per week, planning all music for their traditional service, rehearsing and directing the choir, leading worship on Sunday morning, reviewing/purchasing choir music, maintaining a music library, and supervising the organist/choir accompanist (who, coincidentally, was paid). After about 7 years of doing all this voluntarily, I approached the personnel committee chair about the possibility of a salary. He was very supportive of my request ($100/week) and it seemed a done deal. After waiting 10 months for an answer, when I asked again, I was told that if they paid me, they’d have to pay this person and that person and basically anyone else in leadership. (Just a side note, the person who replaced me at that church when I left lasted one choir season…she wasn’t willing to do that much work for free).
When I accepted my current position, my pay was $50/week. Last spring, all church staff (the pastor, Director of Music and myself) took a 15% pay cut to help reduce a budget deficit.
So I guess I’m just wondering how in the world a church the size of mine could possibly pay the kind of money you’re suggesting? And what is such a church to do when they can’t find someone like myself willing to accept much, much less for the effort?

Comment on Hand Signals by Kristakitch

Kristakitch — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:44:31 +0000

I saw some people take there thumb pointing backwards to “go back” one section. Or using there flat hand on top of there head to communicate: “back to the top” (of the song).