Right to Privacy at Church?

[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.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Jay

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.

Amen. Unless one is inspired to do so!