I’ve always been a big advocate for live-streaming church services. Certainly, I’d rather people come in person and experience worship personally. But there are also times when people can’t attend, are too far away, or are curious and want to check you out online before they show up. So, for whatever reason, if they can’t come, I’d still like them to engage in the experience of your service online.
However, there are times when live-streaming church services isn’t a good idea. In fact, I’ve seen a few live-streamed services that made me cringe.
Is Live-Streaming Church Services Always a Good Idea?
So, as a reminder, here are a few times when I’d recommend you keep things local and not go online:
1) When for whatever reason, the pastor is sharing personal comments designed for the church family only. There are plenty of times when the pastor wants to address a personal, congregational issue, or a prayer time when a member or family might be embarrassed if people outside the church knew the situation. It may be a congregational vote, or other governance issue such as merging with another church. Whatever the circumstance, when it’s a service where you’re taking care of “family business,” I would probably turn off the live-stream and keep it local. (Or better yet, put a previous service on the live-stream.
