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Definition
Very simply, music budget is the aspect of church resources (usually monetary) that are allocated for the financing of the music ministry's role in the worship of the church. It addresses the policy the church uses in handling assets that belong to God for the underwriting of his work on earth. For this reason, ministry is often viewed very pragmatically.
Characteristics
As with other aspects of church ministry and function that require funding, the key is in asking the right questions. First, it is important to note that most churches under-fund worship. As mentioned before, the worship facet of the church's ministry is back-seated to other high-profile ministries like evangelism and education. These may have higher overhead to necessitate greater financial attention; then again, they may not. But finding out how the church prioritizes its ministries is often revealed in the checkbook.
In looking at the church's historic willingness to make financial commitment, attention to budget often reveals what the church has spent on the music ministry and what it might be willing to move to.
Purpose
Ultimately it must be determined by the minister and worship committees and explained to the financial and pastoral committees just what is being funded.
Music instruction is not simply a "by-product" of having a trained music minister on staff to teach everybody everything the musicians in the church need to know. Music education in any size church is not a one-man job. Additionally, educational tools are not free (or very often cheap) and require special consideration.
No other ministry has the capacity to edify than the music ministry. There may in some churches be a dedicated "edifying" ministry, but they will not have the level of involvement or breadth of influence that the music ministry does.
In the same way that music provides instruction to the born-again believer, it also has the capacity for providing evangelistic instruction to the seeker. Not just in the content of the song itself, but in soulful singing of worship leaders and the congregation, the Holy Spirit can be presented to the unbelievers in a (usually) non-threatening and aesthetic way. In good music, the significance of the message is not diminished, but the vehicle of the music will make the presentation more palpable to those who do not already speak the language.9
The focus of the "music budget" is the worship ministry. All ministries have tools, and the music ministry of necessity uses more expensive ones than average.
Obviously, music in our culture is passed on in literature, so attention must be paid to the purchase of printed music. This extends from choir music to hymnals, recorded resources, and solo materials.
Instruments are not cheap, but according to Nathan Corbitt provide great ecclesial symbolismthey demonstrate both to the body of believers and outsiders that music (in particular) and worship (in general) are valuable to us.10 More to the point, instruments accentuate worship, and provide an outlet of ministry to members who happen to know how to use them. There is also the matter of the expense of maintenance, but all of these issues are of small consideration when compared to the benefit supplied.
Finally, many churches use reprinting licenses to help worship services by making music materials quickly and easily accessible to the congregation. Copyright considerations are also often at issue and should be planned for accordingly in budget.
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