As a growing worship leader and guest minister who is still working on developing some structure for my personal music ministry effectiveness, like having a consistent team of backup singers and musicians. I often have singers and musicians who would ask me to let them join me in going for ministrations as my backup singers or musicians. I usually would say to them I can only call you up when I’m certain of what my host will offer in terms of cash gift (honorarium). Because I can’t call you up and leave you empty-handed.
God has helped me to understand that every worshipper, popular or not, has a level of grace and anointing upon his/her life for doing God’s work. And it will be unkind of me to have such a worshipper leave his/her home or work or any other commitments, go with me for a ministration, use his/her grace and anointing in faith with mine in order to help me minister to lives, glorify God and fulfill purpose, but after it all I let them go empty-handed. No!! I strongly believe, in addition to praying for this person, I should also give a little of money in appreciation, especially in a situation where I have received financial honorarium from my host. In scriptures, Jesus Christ said “a labourer is worthy of his wages”. So, it is only honourable for me and for them that I give them something in addition to prayer.
So, in cases where I’m not sure of what my host will give me, I go alone to minister. When I have money to make the needful sacrifice, I go with the few backup singers and/or musicians that I can go with. And when I’m certain about what my host will do financially, I go with the needful number of singers and musicians and I appreciate them financially afterwards.
I have heard from several backup singers and musicians of how they sacrifice a lot to work with music artists but end up being treated unfairly. The artists pays them peanuts while taking so much of the money received from outings to him/herself. That’s sad, we should not use and treat people in such way. They are children of God too and are worthy of their wages. And the grace of God upon their lives shouldn’t be taken for granted.
As a worship leader and Christian music artist, I keep learning and growing.
Shalom!