While it is true that Christianity has a well established culture of volunteer service (which I wholeheartedly endorse) the culture runs aground when expectations (stated or otherwise) are levelled at certain volunteers requiring expertise and refined skills. Musicians/singers certainly fall into this category. I guess it is all a matter of priority…if a church wants better music then they should be prepared to support their musicians as they attain to the standards required. Let’s not forget that the costs of music lessons, at all levels (private, tertiary etc.) are expensive financially…but the greatest cost to the developing musician is the time taken to honing the skills in order play the instrument. Again, this is all a matter of priorities. Most churches cannot afford to pay their muso’s, but those who can should! Of course I would add that if musicians are being employed by the church they should be suitably qualified and engaged with that specific local church. I most certainly do not support the ‘hired-hand’ approach. Musicians should be attached to a single local church…