The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - Hire non-Christian musicians?

toddpedlar · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBaldwin

The following article by Don Chapman appeared on WorshipIdeas.com. I realize for some of you who do not believe we should use instruments in worship this question is a no-brainer. Actually, it's a no-brainer for me, too, as I don't believe that we should hire non-Christians to lead worship, whether they are instrumenalists or singers.

However, what do the rest of you think?

Quote:

Hire Non-Christians?

by Don Chapman

Should you hire a non-Christian? I never would hire a non-Christian vocalist to lead worship [or sing special music], but paying a local professional instrumentalist might reap rewards beyond just having better music. The musician might become a believer or experience spiritual renewal.

There are those who would argue that playing an instrument is leading worship, too. I personally believe the message is in the words, sung by vocalists. If you're singing with tracks, would you say the tracks are leading worship?

At one church I inherited a paid guitarist who probably shouldn't have been there. He was a local studio guy and could do anything, but his heart [and soul] was obviously not in it. Church was just another "gig." He just didn't gel with the team. We saw no evidence of spiritual progression. Eventually he was hired away by a local megachurch who paid more - problem solved.

One time I was in a pinch and hired a drummer who was a local legend. This guy had lived in Nashville for years and had played with top names in entertainment. After the praise set was finished, we stepped outside for a few minutes and talked. He said "You know, I just don't believe all this Christianity stuff." He was also a little negative during rehearsal, so, remembering the guy I just talked about in the previous paragraph, I decided I wouldn't hire him again.

Miraculously, this guy was hired on a steady basis by the same local megachurch, developed a relationship with the pastor and became a textbook salvation case - a totally transformed life. I learned my lesson and will never prejudge someone's spiritual potential again. Since then I've hired an unsaved bass player who, after playing with us for two years, had a wonderful spiritual awakening and accepted Christ.

So should you pay or not? It sure worked for my ministry. I can tell you this - don't forget to ask God for advice when you're setting the standards for your ministry. He'll certainly guide your decisions.

Hiring? Bad news period, Christian or not.

Non-Christian musicians should be allowed if we find Biblical precedence of pagan musicians in the temple - but we don't, so it should be a no-brainer.

Hiring non-Christian musicians to lead a church in worship in order that the musician might be converted sounds nice and pious and 'evangelistic', but should be shunned just as should be the 'dating' of non-Christians with the hope that the non-Christian datee might be converted.

This guy sounds as though he ought to take his own advice and listen to what God has ALREADY SAID about standards for worship and ministry. If he were actually listening to that guidance he proposes that we seek, he'd never take the position he has on non-believing musicians in the church...

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