The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #132857   Message #3008828
Posted By: Tim Chesterton
17-Oct-10 - 12:04 AM
Thread Name: performing in churches ?
Subject: RE: performing in churches ?
I'm actually the pastor of a church (Anglican), and I have played traditional folk music in pubs in which I'm sure a lot of people get drunk (which I don't want to endorse, although I'm not by any means a teetotaller). Should I stay away from the pub because of that? Or should I be happy that the pub gives me the opportunity to play for people who otherwise wouldn't hear my music? I have played music in coffee shops in which I know the reason the owner wanted live music was so that he could sell more coffee and treats. If there wasn't a benefit to the business owner they wouldn't be hosting live music.

We rent our church out from time to time for musical events (mainly piano recitals); the acoustics are pretty good and we seat about a hundred. We charge a minimal rate and in return for that the performers don't expect us to clear all the hymn books and prayer books out of our pews. Yes, there's a cross on the wall at the front; it's kind of attached, and we couldn't remove it without doing damage to the wall! But when we rent the facility out to someone we don't do it to try to convert them (although we are trying to build good relations with the community, just as the coffee shop owners are).