If the church wants to contribute to a society grounded in empathy and love, it has a civic responsibility to enthusiastically fund and advocate for its music programs. A church that wants to be healthy must treat its music program as a nonnegotiable budget item and prioritize the stability of its musicians.
The first step in identifying a pathway forward to a thriving and sustainable music program is to seek the professional opinions of the musicians in your midst. If it has been more than two months since you have asked your music minister about their work and vision, take the step this week to set up a time to listen to them. This gesture alone will set you apart.
Here are questions you can ask your music minister, staff or volunteers:
- How can I help?
- Do you have what you need to succeed?
- If you could create any kind of program, what would it look like?
- What would make the biggest difference in your ability to reach your vision?
- How can I support you this week?
- Are you able to invest fully in your work here with us?
- What would make investing in your work here with us easier or more accessible?
- What is getting in the way or holding you back?
- If we could support you more, what would that look like?
- If money wasn’t a factor, how would you run your music program?
- If you could change one thing, what would it be?
- If you wanted me to understand one thing about your work, what would that be?
- What is the biggest misconception about what you do?
- What is your dream budget?
- How many jobs do you currently have?
- Where does your health insurance come from?
- What music would you love to provide here?
- How do you define success this year?
- If you look ahead to next year, what would you love to experience?
- What is your favorite music to make?
Invite your musician, music minister or volunteers to continue the conversation at a later date.
The church has a civic responsibility to challenge its thinking about resources and it has the opportunity to solve a structural employment problem. Our society will be better when the church can be a stable employer of musicians. The church needs musicians to build community. We cannot remove music from the fabric of our society, and wonder why we see breakdowns in communication, love and empathy. Investing in your musicians pays dividends.
What would your community look like if the church was the first place musicians could turn to for their work to be appreciated, valued and understood? What if the church showed its appreciation not just in words, but also through healthcare, proper salaries and guest musician stipends? What would your community look like if your music minister could take risks?
Such vision begins with an honest conversation and interest in their work.
Heather Hightower is the founder of The Center for Vocal Study in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her love for song was first nurtured in the Methodist Church.
