Dilemma, or not?
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    Otherwise talk to your pastor and ask if it would hurt the parish if you did what you are suggesting.


    If the pastor thought it was important, he'd be cutting a check himself.
  • Jani
    Posts: 441
    Well I know they think ccd is important, but they can't write a check so we can use the classrooms in the winter. Can't afford the electricity. Maybe they think the lousy "music" is adequate. IDK.
  • Ben Dunlap
    Posts: 48
    thank you Uncle Sam for your prying and spying and taxing


    It's probably the state of Utah that will be more of a hassle to comply with -- but ideally the parish administrator in Salt Lake City would be able to add the musician to the parish's payroll. That way the diocese's accountants take care of tax and labor-law compliance. You could then fund the musician's salary via designated gift to the parish (whether that gift comes out of your regular tithe/donation or not). Maybe that opens up a can of worms, though?
    Thanked by 1Jani
  • Musicteacher56
    Posts: 621
    I have been reading with interest this thread and have come to the conclusion that whether or not a person chooses to contribute to the support of their individual church is, frankly, nobody's business. We all have different situations. Some churches are large enough to pay for full-time musicians and others are so small that a part-time weekend only musician is needed. The compensation is commensurate with the need of the parish. I can only speak for myself, but I am paid well below the national standards for a part-time church musician and very seldom get paid for funerals (we have few weddings in this parish). I work full time with a "part time" contract. Major seasons like Lent and Easter take even more of my time, energy and talent, and are not compensated accordingly. Therefore, I do not feel it necessary to put in my obligatory envelope. When somebody needs something, I am ready and willing to go that extra mile (i.e., taking a flute to the cemetery when a family wants something special played at the gravesite). Between my and my Lord, my "tithe" comes in many ways, and not always financial. I would venture to say that many reading this thread feel the same way, but don't speak up.
    Thanked by 5Jani Spriggo CharlesW chonak ryand
  • Carl DCarl D
    Posts: 992
    I'm with you, MT56. For me, this has been a valuable conversation because it showed me a number of interesting viewpoints on a sensitive subject. I wasn't expecting the group to come to a consensus or decision - that rarely happens - but just to learn about how people think through this topic.

    I find it interesting that our culture tends to think of tithing purely in terms of money, yet our talent and time are typically much more valuable. Wouldn't it be a shock to think about "giving 10% of everything we have and are back to the church" as the true intent?

    And when I think about it, why should I think that God deserves only 10%?
    Thanked by 2Jani Aristotle Esguerra
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