I'm curious to know what you all think about Christian musicians that sell tickets to see them perform/ minister. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, Keith Green (who I would say is one of my favorites as far as respecting someone as a writer/musician) tried to make Contemporary Christian artists see that it was wrong to have to charge to go to any place to minister because the gospel is free. When I read the whole book about his life, written by his wife, Melody Green, I was so moved by his passion for sharing the Lord and how we seem to see so much entertainment today instead of ministry. I don't wish to judge, but there's a certain atmosphere that the Holy Spirit just shows up in and you know it! Anyway, Keith Green was killed in 1982 in a plane crash that was so devestating, but the short life he lived was a great testimony. The book is called No Compromise. Keith believed that the Lord would provide all of the needs of the believer and he not only had enough for his family, but took in others because he himself came to Christ after being on drugs, etc. So, what do you think? Should the gospel be free? The group I sing in has decided that we will sell our cd's to cover the cost of making them to those who can afford to pay for them, but we will never turn down anyone who can't afford one. We do not sing at places that charge for singing as a rule.
Your opinion please!
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I went to a casting crowns concert and the tickets were extremely cheap!! Backstage passes to meet with the band were only $40, regulars were like $15. So I don't think that is wrong. Its much cheaper than regular concerts from other bands.
Jon-Marc
New Member
I have no problem with it. They are professional singers, that is the way they make their living. Well, I suppose i do have some problem with it when their singing ceases to be a ministry and becomes entertainment. I've been a soloist since I was a teen and have yet to make a living at it. Not because I'm I'm not good enough, but because it was never God's will for me. It's still a ministry to me.
I don't think it's wrong for them to charge a few dollars for people to see them in a public place (ie. at a concert hall). My only reason for that is because many places require the bands/speakers to pay for usage. So if it's a reasonable charge, then yeah I see nothing wrong with it. However, what irks me is that some of their cds are really expensive ($18.99 for a new cd). I think, in the end, the message should be available for everyone and at $18.99 for every new cd, I don't see that availability.
I am going to have to side with you and Keith Green on this one. We tithe for church but we don't have to pay to hear the gospel there. That said I think that many of these newer rock groups are much more entertainment then they are spreading the gospel and I don't mean that to offend anyone. Thats just my judgment. If I went to see your performance His by Grace (I like that name by the way) I would be way less inhibited to really join into the worship because of what you have stated already. That attitude would really show me that you are in it for God and not yourself. I think it's okay to ask for money to cover cost, but that you have the right attitude in going about it.
Thanks, BC, for your comments and really I appreciate everyone's input. I can see where each one is coming from. I think the thing that challenges me is that we say we have faith, but are we showing it if we feel we have to cover the cost of our ministry? Doesn't the Lord know what we need and isn't He able to bless superabundantly beyond what we could think or ask? (I love that scripture in Ephesians 3:20). I think sometimes we limit the Lord by putting a price on things instead of giving them to Him and asking Him to bless as He sees fit. It's so exciting to see Him work! When we went to the new cd policy, we started bringing in more money for our group than before. It was really amazing.But, we are careful with how we use the money too. It strictly goes back into the ministry. We know we will be held accountable to the Lord since He gave it to us. May He alone get all of the glory!
Well,they do need the money to provide the band with equipment and other stuff,The gospel should be free,and the tickets are usually cheaper!!! Which is a relief,But in the end you should not have to pay to hear the Gospel,and I really don't think thats why your actually paying for the tickets!!!,I think most of that goes to the bands fees for playing etc!!!
You know what's neat, Duke? We started out and considered purchasing our equipment with financing. We decided against it. We bought each piece as we had the money from love offerings. It didn't take any time at all and we had everything. As a matter of fact, at our commissioning concert where our church sent us out as a ministry, we were given enough to buy most of it. We have been so blessed because of faith. The Lord says "Try me, prove me..." on this in Malachi. We also tithe our offerings to our church since they commissioned us and still support us when we need something (a place to practice, copy machine,etc.). But, we don't have musicians to pay, so this could be more difficult to deal with if someone is in it full time. We use a mini disc player. I don't fault anyone for what they do. Please understand that I just wanted to know what your opinion is. Each person/group is accountable for his/their own decisions. I don't stand as judge. I was just curious about this topic.
i dont think you should have to pay for a worship band because you are there to worship God and being in a worship band myself that is the stance we have taken especially when we go out to a bar or other churches to playBut if you were going to see a band like casting crowns, pillar, switchfoot, mute math, reliant k, i think it is more than fair to pay because this is what they do for a living they are musicians full time and have to spend months away from their familiesevery man deserves pay for his work, so if you think about God is actually the one taking care of these christian bands through his followers who pay to see them
Good point. Scripture does say, "If a man won't work; neither shall he eat." Maybe this could apply here.
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