We wanted to take a moment to address the posting of copyrighted music to YouTube.
Please note that it is illegal for any of our congregations or members to post any music on YouTube that is under copyright without permission from the copyright holder(s). This also includes arrangements of copyrighted music. In order for copyrighted music to be posted on YouTube, permission must be secured from those who own the copyright, which can be a lengthy and often expensive process. For this reason, if music from our services and programs is posted to YouTube, it must be public domain music.
It is legal, however, to post copyrighted music to Facebook. Because of this, if music from our services and programs is posted to social media, it should be done solely through this platform to protect the church from any litigation or legal issues. Even this should be done with caution and discernment, however. We should give careful thought to the quality of music being included, and we should be very aware of who is being included. Remember that permission must be secured from any member included in these videos, and especially anyone under the age of 18.
As an established, national church, we must take a careful, honest, and legal approach when it comes to matters such as these, making sure that everything is done in accordance with God’s will and to His honor and glory, but also according to the prescribed laws as we state in our 10th article of faith.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and compliance.