Right to Privacy at Church?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Jay

I dislike the concept of video taping services (is there a different term now that it is put on DVD). However, I am even more opposed to people bringing recording their own videos of the service, and that is simply because many only wish to put it up on facebook or youtube for all the world to see.

I am convinced that the best way for now it to record the message to cd, and then post it on the internet. People are always looking for the weird or stupid to post when talking about video.

In a sizable church, I am not sure this is something that can be stopped.

[Digging4Truth]

I guess my initial thoughts are these.


Is there any expectation of privacy. Well... privacy in a legal sense is iffy since you are out in public although there are controls that the pastor etc can put on the use of such equipment.

I think there should be an expectation of respect. I don't generally like to see the portions of a church service videoed & posted that deal with the moving of the spirit or other things blamed on the moving of the spirit. The main reason being that what goes on in those moments is more than can be videoed. It is the culmination of the word that was preached, testimonies that were given and the spirit of God that is moving at that moment.

This type of moment doesn't ever translate well to video. If you were there and you watch the video you can remember and, therefore, see and feel the context of the spirit that encapsulated that moment. Others just stare wondering what in the world is going on because there is no real context with which to understand the entirety of what they are seeing.

In respect for one another and in respect for what should be a sacred moment between God and His people this doesn't serve well as a practice.

Recently we've had a number of tongues & interpretations as well as prophesies at our church. I work hard to record these (on paper) to keep up with what has been said and what we see later on as fulfillments of these utterances. But for me to capture the video or audio and let someone who is from some far off place and doesn't know any of us watch or listen to it would be useless. There is no context with which to fully experiece what went on that day.

Often people's intent is good (not always). But I wish they understood that as powerful as the moment was to you at the time of the recording... video doesn't capture a move of the spirit. It only captures people doing things. The spirit that was there at that moment is what made it powerful and we'd all do best to leave the video in our minds and remember fondly a moment we shared with our brethren and with our God.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I guess my initial thoughts are these.


Is there any expectation of privacy. Well... privacy in a legal sense is iffy since you are out in public although there are controls that the pastor etc can put on the use of such equipment.

I think there should be an expectation of respect. I don't generally like to see the portions of a church service videoed & posted that deal with the moving of the spirit or other things blamed on the moving of the spirit. The main reason being that what goes on in those moments is more than can be videoed. It is the culmination of the word that was preached, testimonies that were given and the spirit of God that is moving at that moment.

This type of moment doesn't ever translate well to video. If you were there and you watch the video you can remember and, therefore, see and feel the context of the spirit that encapsulated that moment. Others just stare wondering what in the world is going on because there is no real context with which to understand the entirety of what they are seeing.

In respect for one another and in respect for what should be a sacred moment between God and His people this doesn't serve well as a practice.

Recently we've had a number of tongues & interpretations as well as prophesies at our church. I work hard to record these (on paper) to keep up with what has been said and what we see later on as fulfillments of these utterances. But for me to capture the video or audio and let someone who is from some far off place and doesn't know any of us watch or listen to it would be useless. There is no context with which to fully experiece what went on that day.

Often people's intent is good (not always). But I wish they understood that as powerful as the moment was to you at the time of the recording... video doesn't capture a move of the spirit. It only captures people doing things. The spirit that was there at that moment is what made it powerful and we'd all do best to leave the video in our minds and remember fondly a moment we shared with our brethren and with our God.

I agree, that is why with the possible exception of a conference or similar service, it should be requested that cell phones be off in the sanctuary. I am also not a believer in texting during service. I have heard and seen it done, but it does not sit well with me.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Suppose someone was in a service needing deliverance and they might be having devils cast out of them or such they probably wouldn't want that put on Facebook or You Tube.

Those videos on youtube bother me very much.

[unitedpraise10]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Could a church be sued over this privacy issue?

Nope. We've actually looked into this. When we first started recording our services professionally, we wanted to do it right. We had to get the right lighting, update sound equipment, etc. We also had to purchase a licence to be able to stream and record our services. We renew the licence on a yearly basis. If we did not have the licence we could get sued by the original artist of a song we might do. We also have to have a licence to project lyrics of the songs on the walls. (Over the years it's become quite alarming how many churches are still doing all of this illegally without a licence.)

As far as an individual suing a church over privacy issues, what goes on in a service that could be considered private? Besides, there's scripture in the bible about suing the church or anybody in the church. Here's an example. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

[Jay]

Originally Posted by unitedpraise10

Nope. We've actually looked into this. When we first started recording our services professionally, we wanted to do it right. We had to get the right lighting, update sound equipment, etc. We also had to purchase a licence to be able to stream and record our services. We renew the licence on a yearly basis. If we did not have the licence we could get sued by the original artist of a song we might do. We also have to have a licence to project lyrics of the songs on the walls. (Over the years it's become quite alarming how many churches are still doing all of this illegally without a licence.)

As far as an individual suing a church over privacy issues, what goes on in a service that could be considered private? Besides, there's scripture in the bible about suing the church or anybody in the church. Here's an example. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

The problem is that there are enough people out there who would sue you just because they can. We can never forget that the ACLU, Anti-Defamation League, Southern Poverty Law Center, Freedom from Religion Foundation, and a host of others would love to find an excuse to stop us from practicing our religious freedoms.

They do not care about any Scripture concerning lawsuits. Further, there are people who would sue a church just because they can. It does not matter the reason, all the more reason to make sure they have as little to use against us as possible.

[AreYouReady?]

Showing a video of people shouting does not carry the essence of what they feel in the Spirit while in the congregation, during the services.

For instance, there is a certain experience one feels while being there when God speaks to us in a service using tongues and interpretation. Ever notice that the entire congregation gets quiet and the Holy Ghost sweeps over the auditorium just before God speaks?

I Corinthians 14:22,23
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

I would certainly think that if a video is shown on You-Tube or Facebook, a mere clip of an event, an unbeliever would think that those people in that church are mad.

Would this be edifying the church?

But...if one unbeliever were to come into the church...to see and feel for oneself the power of the Holy Ghost, he/she just might have a different attitude other than "these people are mad".

Consider verses 24 & 25

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Wouldn't it be the same concept if the unbelievers see a bunch of people on a video jumping, hopping, dancing etc, rather than being there to experience the feeling they have when jumping, hopping or dancing?

[Jay]

I have to agree. While I will sometimes get that feeling when listening to a preaching cd, and it has a tongues and interpretation on it (not always reliable, but it still happens even if I have never heard the message before), but it is not the same as being there. I agree that video if used (and I stand firm against it) should remain on the preacher not leave him, and as soon as he is done so is the taping.

[Praxeas]

Can a church put a sign up forbiding video unless approved by the Pastor/board of elders and enforce it legally?

[Jay]

I do not see why not, the church property is essentially private property and is a private group. I know that cell phones and other recording devices are forbidden in all manner of public places, so I do not see any problems there. I do believe that I have seen signs requesting that phones be turned off or on silent when in the sanctuary.