I sang my song
idiosyncratic out of tune,
It was underneath
the burning cold of the moon,

I sang it long
with intentions sweet,
to sweep the night
off of her feet,

convinced my grace notes
should hold the sway,
self-certain that winter
would look my way,

so grueling, so painful,
I banged it out, trite,
too self-convinced
to be aware of the night

Until irony kissed my lips
with imminent dawning day,
as, in awkward silence,

I seemed to vanish away.

I don't understand why so many people are of the opinion that "people in ministry should not be paid."

 I've seen this point of view from many places, within many churches...and I have come to the conclusion that people don't understand the level of the work that goes into ministry, especially the level of work that can go into something like a worship service.
Coming in and out of a variety of churches in the past, a couple of them churches where I was even a worship leader or band member, I can definitely say that if paying the staff is available, it should be done. The Apostle Paul even talked about this, how pastors and teachers should be compensated for the work they do. I don't see why this wouldn't apply to any other areas of ministry. These people break the backs to use their gifts for the good of others...and the Apostle Paul said that this should be compensated.

If someone refuses to be compensated, that's very admirable. I think that it's good. But if compensation is available, I think it should be up to the individual whether or not they will accept payment. I'm not sure that sacrifice is something which we have the right to demand of anyone...it has to be a voluntary act or it is not really any sacrifice at all. And it is not at all unreasonable to think that someone does not have to sacrifice a right to compensation in order to be pleasing to God in their worship... because, simply put, we are not all the same.

That said, I am thankful that I am part of an establishment that believes in paying band members and staff people. I think it is a very good, very honorable thing to offer compensation for their services. It is good to reward people for service. Let them decide if they will accept it or not. If they choose not to, that is their way of pleasing God. However, if they do accept it, let them just accept it with thanks to God, which I believe is just as pleasing to Him.

Let's not place unrealistic expectations upon people in ministry. And remember that the rules need to apply across the board. We can't deny payment to someone in ministry just because they're not a pastor. I can understand if the church or people can't afford payment. I have seen it before and there is nothing for it. But to deny it because of compartmentalizing the ministries is another thing entirely.

Which is less honorable? A band member or staff person who requests compensation for their service, or is it the one who denies them the right to be compensated for their work, even though the money is available? I'm not pointing fingers, just offering some food for thought...because never in scripture does it condemn people who desire being paid for their service...scripture however does speak against not paying people who have earned their wages.

Since a short time ago, I feel that my last post is greatly in need of some follow-up.

I did not do the best job clarifying some things because I was more focused on making my point clear. But what I would like to say is this.

Many of the people who have approached Sheria and I about our sacrifices that we have made for ministry actually do have good intentions. However the difficulty about doing this kind of work for the kingdom is that scripture demands sacrifices to be made. For example, the apostle Paul returned to Jerusalem at danger of his own life, despite how he was warned from all his peers. This move could have cost the apostle his ministry, but he moved forward in spite of all odds because of his desire to see jerusalem turn to Christ. People everyday in other countries make greater sacrifices than sheria and I ever have. We tend to think that we at least could make it a year or so with a little financial uncertainty if it could mean someone finding hope in Jesus. In addition to this, we are promised that God will meet our needs if we seek first his kingdom and righteousness. So it would seem that the most rational, level-headed thing we could do at this moment is simply keep doing what we are doing.

However, I understand that those people who mean well are simply offering their best possible advice for our circumstances. And the advice isn't bad, it is simply just practical... But I think that the advice does not fit into the context of what we are doing. If we were sitting idly on our hands waiting for money to fall out of the sky, it would be very valuable advice. However, we are working hard and persevering through this difficulty in faith. This is where God has led us in spite of our worries about it. When people make discouraging statements about us it is probably because they don't really have all the facts about what we are actually doing...which isn't necessarily their fault. I guess with this current blog in contrast to my last one, I intend to shed a more balanced and less frustrated light on the facts so that everyone can now know.

The most important part.
I fully recognize that God has different things for different people. I don't think that people are all called to take financial risks...I simply just want to be an advocate for those who do. Just because someone is doing something that you would not personally prefer for the sake of the kingdom does not mean that they are wrong or unwise. Just the same, I hold no negative feelings to people who work an 8 to 5. Heck, I used to have one. Sometimes I even miss it. And there is nothing wrong with making money, I just personally tend to get frustrated when people seem as though they are measuring me by how much money I make. No one should be measured by that. But where we are right now is where God has brought us and this is now our work until the time comes that we move on to something else.

My purpose was not to offend. It never was. Please keep in mind that this blog is sometimes more widely read than I can tell. I use this place as a spot to rant, but I am seeing that sometimes it is not the best place for it, at least not with public posting. Therefore, if you the readers have ever read anything that made you flip out, I probably wasn't aiming at you. I apologize.