Most churches stream before they have a policy — and only discover the gaps when a copyright strike lands or a congregant objects to appearing online. Get this in place before your next Sunday, not after your first problem.
**[CHURCH_NAME]** **Effective Date:** [EFFECTIVE_DATE] **Policy Owner:** [POLICY_OWNER] **Technical Lead:** [TECHNICAL_LEAD] **Review Date:** [REVIEW_DATE] ---
Livestreaming and recording extends the reach of [CHURCH_NAME]'s ministry beyond those physically present. It serves members who cannot attend in person, enables online engagement, and archives our teaching ministry for ongoing use. This policy establishes guidelines for what is recorded, how recordings are distributed, how privacy is protected — especially for children — and how we handle copyright and content removal requests. ---
### 2.1 Regularly Recorded The following are routinely livestreamed and/or recorded: 1. Sunday services (full service including worship, announcements, and sermon) 2. Special services (Easter, Christmas, Good Friday, significant events) 3. [ADDITIONAL_RECORDED_EVENTS] ### 2.2 Not Recorded by Default The following are **not** recorded or streamed without specific approval: 1. Pastoral counselling sessions 2. Prayer ministry and altar call ministry moments (close-up) 3. Recovery, support, or bereavement groups 4. Staff meetings and internal leadership meetings 5. Any activity where participants have a reasonable expectation of privacy ### 2.3 Partial Recording Exceptions Cameras will be redirected or edited where: - A person is visibly distressed during a service - A person signals they do not wish to be filmed - Children are in frame during prayer or ministry moments (see Section 5) ---
### 3.1 Approved Platforms [CHURCH_NAME] distributes recordings through the following platforms: [DISTRIBUTION_PLATFORMS] All platforms must be managed by [TECHNICAL_LEAD] or their designee. New platforms require approval from [POLICY_OWNER]. ### 3.2 Public vs. Unlisted/Private | Content Type | Distribution Setting | |-------------|---------------------| | Sunday sermon | Public | | Full Sunday service | [FULL_SERVICE_SETTING] | | Internal training content | Unlisted or members-only | | Pastoral content (sensitive) | Members-only or not published | | Clips for social media | Public | ### 3.3 Podcast Sermon audio is published to the [CHURCH_NAME] podcast at [PODCAST_PLATFORM]. New sermon episodes are published within [PODCAST_PUBLISH_DAYS] day(s) of the service. ---
### 4.1 General Audience People attending a service where cameras are visible should be aware that the service is being recorded and/or livestreamed. [CHURCH_NAME] communicates this through: 1. Signage at venue entrances: "This service is being livestreamed and recorded" 2. Verbal announcement at the start of any livestreamed service 3. Notice in the service programme or digital bulletin where available ### 4.2 Protecting Privacy During Service Camera operators must: 1. Avoid sustained close-up shots of individuals who appear uncomfortable 2. Not zoom in on individuals during personal prayer, emotional moments, or responses to altar calls 3. Not capture or broadcast identifiable shots of people receiving pastoral ministry 4. Redirect cameras promptly if requested by a production supervisor or if someone signals they wish to not be filmed ### 4.3 Testimonies and On-Stage Participation Persons who give testimonies, are prayed for on stage, or otherwise voluntarily appear on the platform consent to being recorded in that role. [CHURCH_NAME] will obtain written consent before publishing extended testimony clips online, particularly those disclosing personal circumstances. ---
Protecting children in our livestreams and recordings is a priority. 1. Children must not be identifiable focal points in any livestream or published recording without parental consent 2. Children's ministry areas (kids church, youth) are not livestreamed without parental notification and general consent collected at registration 3. Camera operators are instructed not to zoom in on individual children 4. Group shots of children (e.g., during a children's segment on stage) are permissible under general congregational consent, but individual close-ups are not 5. If a parent objects to their child appearing in a recording, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the request (see Section 8 — Takedown) For full details, refer to the Photography and Media Consent Policy. ---
### 6.1 Live Music in Recordings The use of copyrighted music in recordings and livestreams carries copyright obligations. **[CHURCH_NAME] holds the following licences:** [MUSIC_LICENCES] ### 6.2 Streaming Licences For online distribution, a streaming licence is required in addition to standard performance licences. [CHURCH_NAME] holds the following streaming/online content licences: [STREAMING_LICENCES] ### 6.3 Platform-Specific Copyright Enforcement Platforms like YouTube and Facebook have automated copyright detection systems that may: - Mute audio sections of recordings - Block recordings in certain countries - Claim advertising revenue on behalf of rights holders [TECHNICAL_LEAD] is responsible for monitoring copyright claims and responding appropriately. ### 6.4 Responsibilities of the Worship Team 1. The worship team must only include songs in livestreamed services that are covered by our licences 2. New songs should be cleared for online use before being included in a recorded service 3. Song selection for recorded services must be reported to [TECHNICAL_LEAD] for licence reporting 4. Songs not covered by current licences should only be used in recorded services with specific approval ### 6.5 Muting vs. Editing Where a copyright claim requires it, [TECHNICAL_LEAD] may: - Mute the affected audio segment in the uploaded version - Edit the recording to remove the affected segment - Choose not to publish certain recordings to avoid claims ---
### 7.1 What Is Archived All recorded services and teaching content are archived at [ARCHIVE_LOCATION]. ### 7.2 Retention Periods | Content Type | Retention Period | |-------------|------------------| | Sermon recordings (audio and video) | Indefinite | | Full service recordings | [FULL_SERVICE_RETENTION] years | | Clips and social media cuts | [CLIP_RETENTION] year(s) | | Raw/unedited footage | [RAW_FOOTAGE_RETENTION] months | ### 7.3 Archive Access - The master archive is maintained by [TECHNICAL_LEAD] - Access is restricted to authorised staff - Public access is via approved distribution platforms only ---
### 8.1 Who Can Request Removal The following may request removal of content: - Any individual who appears in a recording and believes their privacy has been violated - A parent on behalf of a child - A speaker or contributor who believes their content has been used improperly - Copyright holders with a legitimate claim ### 8.2 Process 1. Submit a written takedown request to [TAKEDOWN_EMAIL] with: - Your name and contact details - Description of the content and where it appears - Reason for the removal request 2. [CHURCH_NAME] will acknowledge the request within [ACKNOWLEDGEMENT_DAYS] business days 3. We will assess the request and respond with our decision within [DECISION_DAYS] business days 4. If approved, content will be removed from our platforms within [REMOVAL_DAYS] business days 5. Note: We cannot guarantee removal from third-party platforms where content may have been shared ### 8.3 Copyright Takedowns For copyright takedowns submitted by rights holders, [CHURCH_NAME] will comply with the relevant platform's copyright dispute process and South African copyright law. ---
1. Recording equipment is the responsibility of [TECHNICAL_LEAD] 2. Maintenance schedules must ensure equipment is serviceable before each service 3. Backup recording capability must be maintained where possible 4. Equipment failures during a service must be logged and reported ---
This policy is reviewed annually. Technology and platform terms change regularly — [TECHNICAL_LEAD] is responsible for flagging any relevant changes that may require policy updates. Questions: Contact [POLICY_OWNER] at [POLICY_OWNER_EMAIL]. --- *[CHURCH_NAME] — Livestream and Recording Policy — Effective [EFFECTIVE_DATE]*