Question regarding a volunteer worship leader

by Craig Katzenberger
(Baxter, MN)

Our church had a musician from the congregation lead worship on Sundays for several years, he was completely volunteer and was not considered to be on staff. After a few years of this going on, we hired a full time on staff worship leader. We had a thank you party for the volunteer and the church gave him a check for $2500 to say thank you, this money came from a love offering. Will the volunteer have to pay taxes on the $2500?