This is a church scamming musicians to cash in on the attraction of modern contemporary music for worship.
I was contacted by a praise and worship leader for the church.
They were looking for a guitarist to play their (contemporary) worship services on Sunday mornings summer of 2011.
After reaching an agreement on pay and writer, I received CD's, instead of itunes gifts. And links to Youtube videos? Very sketchy.: confused:: rolleyes:
They seemed to be trying to find their way around licensing of the music they generate for contract musicians.
They wanted to require sitting in a service for contractors, after the the fact; not a part of our original agreement.: rolleyes:
I don't share their beliefs. So this was a majorly professional conflict.
They retreated quickly on that ridiculous demand.
The preacher Timothy Peterson and his wife both have their own Bentley's, and their son drove a Hummer H1.
Never got to see what the other kid drove. WOW! Slick as they come.
All the trimmings on this turkey of a church.
I noticed how their website had all these smiling faces. But deep info on who was preaching at the Eden Prairie "campus" was conveniently not in any way easy to find.
They started sending my checks in the mail. Good. The checks were coming literally before the Sunday's I was to play. Weird.
Then November rolled closer.
I was asked if I would "volunteer" my time for a Thanksgiving Eve service.: roflmao: I declined since that would be a "special" and I don't do freebees for anyone.
They called me into November and offered to make it a paying gig. I took up the offer.
I was even asked to play the following Sunday because their alternate had a child. Understandable.
I expected the checks to come after the following Sunday. Since the holidays tend to put the postal service behind.
Monday came.
No checks.: confused:
At Wednesday practice I put in a word to make sure they checked on it.: cool: Never got a check in the mail for the next Sunday they had me scheduled for.: confused:: mad:
So that Sunday I asked before the service since they were already behind in pay. And got no answer.
After the service I was given my check by the bassist in the bathroom.: mad: Who incidentally was saying they were behind paying him for two services also.: mad:
<B>Why they gave someone else my check</B>, to give to me, I don't know. Very unprofessional.: eek:
Well. It was short the pay for the two previous gigs also.: mad:
So at this point I e-mailed a heated letter to the Pastor, <B>"Dr Timothy Peterson"</B> with the Bentley. I told him I was not playing another service until I was payed and we had a new agreement for my services. I even told him how he might do better, and avoid this kind of situation.
"Dr" Timothy Peterson replied with surprise that I would e-mail him directly, since he had people for that kind of thing.
Something he said to do in an e-mail 1 1/2 months prior. I still have the e-mail.
He responded with a critique of my finances since I seemed to need my money for "services rendered" so bad.: confused:
He offered to "council" me. And see if they could "help" me maybe.?
I received a check for the Sunday service after Thanksgiving. But they have yet to pay me for the special at Thanksgiving Eve.
I have sent them another bill and have an electronic record of all emails with church contacts.;)
Dr. Tim Peterson now has let it be known he never approved any pay for "that" service. So he now thinks thats a magical out. His church is run like a business and should act like a business when doing business.
They refuse to pay. So here we are.
They requested the service. Offered the pay. Then refused to pay after the service is rendered. So it is a scam.
I am a musician and supplement my income whenever I can to improve my families living.
I will not be doing churches anymore since this is becoming an issue with other musicians I have met.
Their latest scam (which I witnessed) is to delay having proper tax papers filled out for musicians under the guise that "they need them to be at practices for 3 weeks before they get payed".: confused:
This is like asking a builder to lay a foundation for a building before a contract has been agreed upon. Its just plain stupid.
Even dumber was the notion that I was going to let the next guy shadow me to see what they wanted. NOT! Lessons are a different thing all together.
I am sure their insurance company would like that information. Especially when The equipment is supplied by the musician. And it can be heavy. If someone throws their back out loading in on their stage, they can sue. If he is not covered on their insurance, then the church is at risk for an injury compensation.
If you are contacted to play at this church, you would do yourself the favor of avoiding the aggravation by turning them down, or you can charge them a ridiculous amount that would cover when they break contract and are delinquent on pay.
Definitely a deadbeat church. Avoid. They have plenty of money and slick stuff.
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