I played for a whole year at a church that could afford neither organist nor organ repairs. I sang my heart out, and they broke it every time they said right to my face, "Oh, we miss our organ so much!" Or, "Someday we hope to have a real music program again." On the other hand, I have guested at services in churches that were dying to have us back any time we could come.

What it all boils down to, in my admittedly jaded opinion (IMAJO), is that when they pay for something, they want organ, but if you will play for free, you're a saint. Nothing to do with skills, sound, professionality, or music choice, either-- I've done it all. It's about the money. When money gets attached to church music, it doesn't matter what the music is. A pianist is as disrespected as I was-- they want ORGAN, whether they have a choir to lead the singing or not.

And if they use praise music, which is usually accompanied/led by amped vocal with guitar and electric keyboard, they assume that music will be provided at no charge by volunteers, who will give not only their time but their costs (music, instruments, strings, etc etc etc) in the bargain, and even, often, the whole sound system.

I believe ours is the last parish in our convocation BTW that has a choir. But the smaller churches that can afford paid music put it all into an organist, even if the people will absolutely not sing along because there is no choir, and no music leader.

Some churches do use a paid cantor as a songleader, and that's another alternative for a small church. But yes, organ out of a box (played for real onto CD or via MIDI) floats many a boat in church circles. Sad, but true.

~Susan