I am not a Christian, but I would like to work as a substitute organist. Is this something Christian churches would be upset about? Would they like to know this before hiring me?

No, not a long as you are a good organists, are respectful of the religious denomination, and are very knowledgeable about the specific liturgical service hymns and prayers.

Good topic, spatial. (I don't post in this section, but saw it in the 'Recent Posts'.)

Good organists -any organists really- are getting scarce, and small churches often end up hiring a pianist willing to press a foot pedal or two. There's plenty of music published with those people in mind, a lot of it by Lorenz.

My humble (but experienced) advice: if you're not a Christian, why bring it up? If you can use the money, then by all means go for it. A church music committee isn't necessarily going to fish too deeply, not if they know what's good for them. A conservative church may find a non-Christian objectionable, but that is not for them to know.

I'm Anglican myself and prefer to substitute for C of E (Anglican) churches, but I'm on the substitute list for churches of other denominations and I simply don't go into details about my religious beliefs. OTOH, I've been trained as a church organist so it's less of an issue. Take me or leave me.

Personally I avoid calls from RC churches as (in the UK at least) they tend to have the worst organs (if any at all) and almost non-existent choral programs.

Hope this is of help to you.

Most churches that hire professional musicians (organists and choir directors) base their hiring decisions on qualifications and ability, not personal religious convictions. Some denominations screen applicants to disqualify individuals that are not "like minded" in their beliefs, so as not to be incompatible with their members who participate in the music program. Like Amant wrote above, as long as you are not critical of their religion and keep your personal opinion to yourself, it probably would not be an issue. If you are of a different religious background (such as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.), but are familiar with the Christian liturgy and can perform all the music required, they should respect your beliefs.

My church would not care in the case of a substitute; we'd rather not know.

If we were hiring a full time musician we'd ask. We wouldn't insist on the same denomination, but would probably want some compatibility.

Just a suggestion. Get your fee up front.

Sadly, churches tend to stiff their substitute or guest musicians. It is rarely intentional, I think, but far more common than you'd expect.

of course denominations each have their repertoire. if you are a good enough sight reader to totally wing it, you needn't worry (doubt if you'll even check back to this thread, it's been so long). i would pick a denomination (perhaps the largest in your metro, find the music they use and contact the churches,.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It seems like I should just not bring it up. I didn't want to feel like I was deceiving anybody. Sight-reading is not really a problem for me, so I don't think I need to spend time learning repertoire. At least not at the level I'm playing, since most churches I've been in contact with are happy to have anyone at all.

A little off the subject, but maybe to put this in perspective: Some churches in these parts (NY area) are even taking on PASTORS of a different denomination! (Although in this case we're talking denominations, not non-Christian, but look..... it's about the pastor!)

I don't think you have to worry about it at all.

As an Organist, albeit a young one, I can tell you that (at least in the UK) any kind of organisation which requires an Organ to be played will hire ANY Organist - they just seem to be in such short supply!

I am Christian, although I have played in all sorts of strange places including communes, private functions and even a Masonic lodge... About your position, a friend of mine who used to work as an Organist around the county and has now gone to study as an Organ Scholar at Cambridge, is not Christian, so I don't think you need to worry at all!

Good luck!

off topic but have you ever seen "carnival of souls" a horror movie from 1962? It's about an organist who isn't very religious and takes a job for a church, and bad undead things happen. It was filmed at the saltair pavillion (which has been long ago torn down, but was abandoned even at the time).

At one point, the priest screams out "Profane! Profane!" to the organist. I don't think that'll happen to you.

LOLOL!!!
It sounds like this is one movie that our guy definitely DOESN'T want to see.

To answer your question, it is going to depend on the Church. I'm Lutheran and although we would prefer our organist / choir director to be Christian also it isn't a requirement. For a sub we wouldn't even ask. I've been in a Lutheran Church where the Organist was Jewish and it wasn't an issue. We would ask about your religious affiliation and beliefs when interviewing a full time organist, if the choice came down between a Christian and a non-Christian the Christian would almost always win out.

There are church's out there (I've found this a lot in congregational church's) that do believe that people leading their worship need to be spirit led, and will not hire non-believers to lead music in their congregations. My advice if asked be honest, if you're not asked Don't volunteer the information. If it is important to the church that is hiring you that you be a believer they will ask you.

It is important to be familiar with the rites of the service.. to know what music is played when. I'm Catholic, we have perhaps 10 - 20 different Mass settings to play the service music. It's easy enough, but one needs to know the cues.