Article Lifts the Veil on Church Musician Hiring Process

I just read one of the most important articles to appear in The American Organist in many years. It is in the June 2010 issue, is entitled "A Cautionary Tale," and is found beginning on page 60. I can highly recommend this well-written and very revealing article! I never remember a story quite like this ever appearing in the magazine.

The article lifts the veil on the hiring process in one church. Never before have I read of such goings-on. The value of this article is hard to over-estimate as it brings to light something which is usually out of public view.

I do have my criticisms of the article. For instance, as far as I understand it, the First Amendment prevents governments from prohibiting nearly all kinds of discrimination in hiring by religious institutions. Otherwise, this article is right on the subject of what I have been saying, and is, indeed, the whole point of this blog.

Another point which can be made, but is not a criticism of the article, is that unethical hiring decisions are made all the time. If there are any business persons on church hiring committees they are probably only behaving as they would on the job. The behavior of the minister in this case, is another matter, however.

It must be said that while churches often fail in their hiring practices (and this is very common), musicians also, through lack of education and sometimes willfulness, also contribute to poor conditions in church music programs.

Having said that, this article shines a ray of light on what has been a shrouded church hiring system in this country. This is a step ahead. Hurray for author Jane Hettrick!