Music liturgy has been deemed imperative by Vatican documents since the inception of Vatican II. Realizing this, the Roman Catholic Church has published many directives on how to improve pastoral music beginning as early as 1967 with Musicam Sacram (MS), and the latest coming in the form of a position statement in 2006 from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC). A common factor among the numerous directives on music liturgy is the call for formation and compensation for pastoral musicians. A survey of 43 pastoral musicians from 23 Catholic parishes across Kansas found that formation and compensation have not yet been addressed in the majority of Kansas parishes. Fifty-eight percent of respondents have not had any pastoral musical training in the past year; 60% have not had any liturgical training; and 47% are not even required to attend organizational meetings. These numbers are troubling because the lack of familiarity with important Church documents relating to music by the respondents is disturbing: 44% are familiar with the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (CSL), 40% were unfamiliar with MS, 49% were familiar with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), 26% with Directory for Masses with Children, 33% with Environment and Art in Catholic Worship , 16% with Introduction to the Lectionary, and 44% with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Although responsibility and dedication to their duties is high (82% practice at least 30 minutes a week), 65% of pastoral musicians receive no monetary compensation whatsoever. Those that do receive compensation live in the high population areas of Kansas City, Leavenworth, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita. When asked in an open-ended question to list suggestions for improving pastoral music ministry in their parish, respondents indicated they would like more formation or guidance from those in charge and some sort of compensation.