[musictlk] Church Musician Employment

[Alan & Ruth Anne Wheeler]

Anne, 
I have worked as a church musician for most of my adult life, usually part
time, as full time church music positions are on the rare side, except for
the very large and "mega" churches.  I started at age 13.  My mother and
grandmother were also church musicians, and that did help as well in my
getting established in the field.  
The biggest aspect is making yourself available to churches, and you do this
though a whole lot of networking.  Linda is right when you say that you may
be employed at a church you don't agree with doctrinally.  I grew up as
Lutheran, and now consider myself part of the Calvary Chapel fellowship.
Right now, I am the music director and organist at Forest Park Baptist
Church, but have held positions with everything from Catholic to Christian
Science churches.  
As for making yourself available, you have to call around to various
churches and visit various churches on Sundays and so on, meet with pastors
and church staff to let them know you'd be glad to fill in if they needed a
substitute.  I have found that being a substitute is a great way to work
into staff musician.   
If you would like to have any in depth discussions, please feel free to
e-mail me at any time with questions, and I'd be glad to help you.  :-) 
Ruth Anne 

-----Original Message-----
From: musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Linda Mentink
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:23 AM
To: NFBnet Music Talk Mailing List
Subject: [musictlk] Church Musician Employment

Hi Anne,

If your main goal is to be employed as a church musician, you may find
yourself being employed in a church with which you do not agree doctrinally.
I would make this a matter of prayer.  There's much more I could say, but
I'm not sure where you are spiritually, and that's off topic for this list
anyway.  You might want to consider joining the NFB faith-talk list.  There
may be some on that list from your area.  I'm the list moderator there, too,
and the list is not very busy.

Blessings,

Linda


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