Most of you probably know this already, but I thought I would post anyway.

Over 50% of my career has been playing Praise & Worship music. I work with a large number of Christian churches, worship leaders, publishers, labels and songwriters from around the world, as well as Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) artists.

When it comes to playing in church, I've been compensated most of the time ... simply because music is my vocation and I don't have a day job. I don't want us to get into theological discussion here ... let's stick to drumming ... but I will say that I've done a lot of research (via the Bible) regarding the Levitical priests and their role. One of the biggest supporters of musicians being compensated for the role in the church service is found in Nehemiah 13.

With all that said, I attend a church here in Nashville which I play at occasionally simply due to schedule conflicts, and I am not compensated. I feel comfortable with this because it's my decision ... not the church leadership telling me that I should be playing for free. When I was young, I used to get raked over the coals because I played in clubs ... and the church leadership felt I should be playing in church for free. I certainly don't see the logic (or scripture) to support that ... but let's not get into all of that. The point I wanted to make is that I do both, free and compensated, and I always keep it as my decision ... which is my gift of worship to the Lord.

On a side note ....

One of our members, bensoncarlos, has started a new organization called Drummers For Jesus, Inc. You can visit his new website, which at this time is still under construction, at www.DrummersForJesus.com. In March of 2004, there will be a Drummers For Jesus celebration in Dallas, TX. It's a two-day event featuring players such as Paul Leim, Vinnie Colaiuta, Alex Acuna, Sheila E., Luis Conte, Alvaro Lopez and others ... all confirmed for this event!

You'll definitely want to plan on being a part of this event; it's going to be great!!!

I put the money in the offering, makes me happy, they are happy, and the church gets to keep the money.

Do you like games? You do? Great ... then let's play a game! It's easy ... and it'll fun!

• Alex Acuna
• Gregg Bissonette
• Vinnie Colaiuta
• Paul Leim
• Luis Conte
• Alvaro Lopez
• Bart Elliott[/b]

Sing-along everybody!

I'm sure it's a typo ... but yes, "hose" sounds about right! ROFL

Okay, back to the subject of Praise & Worship Drumming.

that's where i'm coming from.  

my church is rather small, about 150-200 people, and nothing like the mass gatherings at Redeemer uptown, or the other "mega" churches i've visited out west.  but you could always pull a "Louis" with the offering.  great idea!

and man, i wish one of those Xtn musician conferences would end up over here on the east coast.  you'd think a place like NYC would be great for that, but oh well...  

Speaking of P&W and Nashville, anyone know who is the guy at Brentwood Baptist?  He is not there every Sunday, but he is really good.

I think you end up where you are you know?  Kudos to you man!  That is just the way it is.  You are playing with those cats and they are awesome, what's that make you?  At least great right?  What's wrong with that.

As Carlos would say "Blessings".

I never realized how many drummers played in church bands. It sounds like a really fun gig. Perhaps I should go to church more often.

LOL ... nope.

I was just teasing you. I don't know who plays over there ... assuming you are talking about Brentwood Baptist in Brentwood, TN.

I play in a P&W band, but not as a drummer - as guitarist and vocalist, and I also function as band leader.  And even though we are a very small church, we have 3 other drummers not including myself.  Not all drumming at the same time of course