Musician Help Center

EmergencyMusician is a vetted marketplace built for the house of worship community. When a church loses a musician last minute — the night before a Sunday service, hours before a midweek rehearsal, or ahead of a special event — they turn to EM to find a qualified replacement fast.

Here's how it works from your side:

You apply and get vetted. Before you ever receive a booking request, EM reviews your application to confirm your instrument, experience level, and worship background. Only approved musicians appear in the EM network. We do not accept beginners — every musician on this platform is here because they've earned it.

You set your availability and radius. Once accepted, you control when you're available and how far you're willing to travel. Set your service radius and EM only sends you opportunities that fall within it.

A church posts a need. When a worship pastor has an urgent gap in their team, they submit a service request through EM specifying the date, time, location, instrument needed, and any relevant service details.

You get notified. If you match the need and are available, you receive a booking notification through the app. Review the details and accept or pass — but respond quickly. Last-minute gigs go to the first reliable musician to confirm.

You show up and serve. Arrive early, bring your gear, and follow the church's lead. After the service, the booking is marked complete and your payout is processed automatically through Stripe.

You get paid. No invoicing, no chasing payments. EM handles it. You keep 95% of the booking rate — EM retains a 5% platform fee to cover operations, payment processing, and support.

EM is available 7 days a week. Bookings aren't limited to Sundays — churches need musicians for midweek services, special events, rehearsals, and more.

EM is a vetted network. Not every applicant is accepted — and that's intentional. Churches trust EM because they know every musician has been reviewed before their first booking.

What we look for:

• Proficiency on one or more accepted instruments: guitar, bass, drums/percussion, keys/piano, or vocals
• Real experience playing in a live worship or church setting
• Professionalism and reliability — the ability to show up prepared and serve a team you've never met
• A complete app profile with accurate information, including sample media (audio or video)

We do not accept beginners. Every musician in the EM network is expected to perform at a professional level from day one.

How to apply: Download the EmergencyMusician app and complete your musician application directly inside it. You'll provide your instrument(s), experience background, worship history, and identity verification. There is no fee to apply or to join the EM network.

What happens after you apply: Our team reviews every application manually. Most applicants hear back within 2–5 business days. If you're a strong fit, you'll receive an approval notification through the app. If your application isn't accepted at this time, you're welcome to reapply as your experience grows.

Your profile is how churches find and evaluate you. A complete, accurate profile directly affects how often you get booked — incomplete profiles rank lower in church searches.

What your profile must include:

A clear profile photo. Use a real, well-lit photo showing your face clearly. No group photos. Churches want to know who's walking through their door.

Your instruments. List every instrument you play at a performance-ready level. Don't overstate your ability — churches are counting on accuracy.

Your genres and worship styles. Be specific. Contemporary worship, traditional hymns, gospel, Spanish-language services — the more accurate you are, the better your matches.

Your bio. Write 2–4 sentences about your background and worship experience. Keep it professional and honest.

Your availability. Keep this updated. An out-of-date availability profile means missed opportunities. Review it weekly, especially around holidays.

Your service radius. Set a radius you can realistically commit to. Don't set it larger than you're willing to drive — canceling because a gig is too far reflects poorly on your reliability rating.

Sample media. Upload audio or video that represents your playing. This is one of the strongest signals a church uses when selecting a musician.

Tips for getting more bookings:

• Complete every field — incomplete profiles rank lower
• Respond to booking notifications fast — speed matters for last-minute gigs
• Update your availability every week
• Build your reputation through consistent, professional service — churches leave reviews after every booking

Receiving a booking request: When a church posts a need matching your instrument, availability, and radius, you'll receive a push notification through the EM app. Open it to review the details — date, time, location, instrument, and any notes from the worship pastor.

Accepting a gig: If the booking works for you, accept it through the app. The booking is confirmed, the church is notified, and you'll have access to all service details. Only accept bookings you are fully committed to completing.

Declining a gig: You can decline any booking request. However, frequent declines may reduce how often you receive offers. Only accept gigs you can genuinely commit to.

Day-of expectations:

• Call time means ready to play — not walking in the door. Call time is the moment you must be fully set up, tuned, and ready to start. Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes before call time.
• Bring all necessary gear unless the booking specifies equipment is provided.
• Dress appropriately for a worship environment. Follow any dress code listed in the booking details.
• Follow the worship leader's direction. You're there to serve their vision.
• Stay present and available throughout rehearsal.

If you're running late: Notify EM and the church contact immediately through the app. Chronic lateness can result in suspension.

Cancellation policy:

• More than 72 hours before the gig — no penalty
• 72–24 hours before the gig — a strike on your profile
• Less than 24 hours before the gig — a $45 cancellation fee and possible suspension from new bookings

If a church cancels a confirmed booking, you will receive a cancellation fee. You will not be left unpaid for a commitment you made in good faith.

If a church wants to hire you regularly: Direct them back to EM. All ongoing bookings must go through the platform. If a church wants to bring you on permanently, that transition must go through EM's buyout policy — contact support at Contact@emergencymusician.com for details.

After the service: The booking will be marked complete in the app. The church may leave a rating and review. These reviews influence your booking frequency — treat every gig as an opportunity to build your reputation.

EM processes all musician payments through Stripe. You must connect a Stripe account before you can receive payment. This is a one-time setup.

Step 1 — Create or log in to your Stripe account. Go to stripe.com and create a free account, or log in if you already have one.

Step 2 — Connect Stripe inside the EM app. Navigate to the Payments section of your EM profile and follow the prompts to link your Stripe account.

Step 3 — Verify your identity. Stripe requires identity verification before releasing payouts. You'll need your legal name, date of birth, SSN (last 4 or full, depending on your account), and bank account information. EM does not store or access this information.

Step 4 — You're set. Payouts process automatically after each completed booking.

Payout timing:

• Standard payouts arrive within 2 business days of a completed booking
• Instant payouts are available if your debit card is eligible through Stripe — funds arrive within minutes. Not all accounts qualify. Check Stripe's eligibility requirements

Platform fee: EM retains 5% of each booking. You keep 95%. No hidden fees, monthly charges, or signup costs. Example: A $100 booking pays you $95. EM retains $5.

Payment disputes: Report any payment issues within 48 hours of the completed gig by contacting Contact@emergencymusician.com.

Never accept side payments or cash from a church outside of EM. All payments must go through the platform — this protects you and guarantees your earnings.

Your standard for every booking — from confirmation to breakdown.

Rulebook

1. 1 Professionalism is non-negotiable.You represent yourself and EmergencyMusician at every gig. Be respectful to everyone — worship leaders, volunteers, sound team, and fellow musicians. No profanity, inappropriate behavior, or disruptive conduct.
2. 2 All communication stays on-platform.Gig-related communication must happen through EM-approved channels — the app, email, or scheduled calls. Do not exchange personal contact information for future direct bookings. If a church tries to book you directly, redirect them to the EM app.
3. 3 Know the cancellation policy and take it seriously.If you can't make a gig, notify EM immediately through the app. Cancellations within 24 hours incur a $45 fee and possible suspension. Multiple last-minute cancellations can result in account suspension.
4. 4 Call time means ready to play.Arriving at call time is late. You should be fully set up, tuned, and ready to begin by call time. Factor in load-in, parking, and sound check when planning your arrival.
5. 5 Never bypass the platform.All payments go through EM. Never accept side payments, cash, or off-platform arrangements. If a church wants to bring you on permanently, direct them to EM's buyout process. Bypassing the platform puts your account and your payment protection at risk.
6. 6 Confidentiality matters.Do not share gig details, pay rates, or client contact information with anyone outside the platform. Do not post rehearsal content, recordings, or behind-the-scenes material without explicit permission from the worship leader.
7. 7 Be prepared — every time.Songs learned and versions verified before arrival. Gear tested and functional. Backups packed. Whatever your instrument requires, have it ready. There is no acceptable excuse for showing up unprepared.
8. 8 Disputes go through EM.If there's an issue with a church — payment, behavior, or anything else — report it through the app or at Contact@emergencymusician.com within 48 hours of the gig. Do not attempt to resolve disputes directly. EM will mediate on your behalf.
9. 9 Your rating is your reputation.Churches rate you on performance, preparedness, punctuality, professionalism, and communication after every booking. High ratings mean more gigs and better opportunities. Every gig is an audition for the next one.
10. 10 Violations have consequences.Breaking platform rules can result in temporary suspension from new bookings, removal from the EM network, loss of ratings visibility, or forfeiture of payment protection. EM reserves the right to take action based on the severity and frequency of violations.