Money again

[HelenaZF]

I think that in situations where you are fairly certain there isn't going to be an appropriate honorarium possible that you have to get creative.



What would be the possibility of talking with the conference organizers about finding sponsors for the dance ministry who might pledge a particular amount to cover a set honorarium for one dancer? If they request a sponsor for each dancer coming, that gives people a more compelling reason to help...just like it is more personal to pay to feed one orphan for a month than it is to ask for donations that go into a central fund for an orphanage where you don't know who gets your help or how much it helps.



This could also be done on a lesser scale....say sponsors for the new costuming.....if that would make your team more comfortable about an unknown honorarium.



Another way would be for them (or you) to hold a fund raising event for the purpose of covering your team.



Those of us who have been in the arts ministries for many years have done a lot of events that not only had no remuneration, but cost us personally to participate in. And that offering was given joyfully and was part of the formation and training up of the ministry. However, there comes a time when your "dues have been paid", so to speak, and there just isn't the extra energy, resources and time that can just be given away over and over again. We should not be ashamed to ask for what we need. Conferences have no problem paying big honorariums to a speaker who comes in carrying one notebook and has some words to say. So much more planning, resources, sweat and time is invested in bringing dance or other arts ministries to an event, and yet people seem to want this for free, or for expenses only. The underlying problem is the value assessed to arts ministry. It's often considered expendable. Yes, we want it because it's beautiful and exciting....but if we have to cut something because of money, it's the first thing to go.



I'm praying the Lord will give you wisdom on this. I've found it sometimes helps encourage boldness when you are advocating for a team of fellow ministers rather than just for yourself.