Live Streaming Church Media

We are so grateful for the emails and stories about how the digital resources available through SermonCentral.com have been a blessing to leaders all around the world in this unprecedented time.

The Church is resilient and it’s a joy to see her in action!

Thanks to the generosity of our partners, all media in our library can be used within your live stream during the COVID-19 stay at home order at no additional cost.

Many pastors have questions about streaming and, particularly, YouTube and Facebook copyright flagging.

Live Streaming Overview

You may include media from SermonCentral within your live stream worship service.

If you are using platforms such as YouTube or Facebook, be aware your content may be flagged and/or removed due to copyright detection. Your live stream service will not be impacted, but if you choose to store your video on one of these platforms for later usage, it may be removed.

Q: How can I add the media on SermonCentral into my live stream?

A: There are many ways to incorporate media into your stream. From using an external monitor while recording to purchasing software that integrates media into a live stream, there are many options. It is important to work with your church technology team to figure out which avenue makes the most sense for your community. If you want to learn more about available software, check out this YouTube video.

Q: What rights do I have with my downloaded church media resources?

A: You may include your downloaded church media within a live stream of your service. You may also include the media within a video recording of your service that is shared exclusively with your church.

Q: What limitations do I have with my downloaded church media resources?

A: You may not broadcast the stand-alone media and you may not host the video on YouTube, Facebook, or any other service as a stand-alone resource. In some cases, if your content is flagged as containing copyrighted material, platforms like YouTube or Facebook may remove your content. Read below for more info.

Q: Why did YouTube flag my church service and remove it from the site?

A: YouTube’s content department is software-driven and may flag your live stream or uploaded church service video if it contains copyrighted media within it. For media containing music, there is a higher possibility of getting flagged by YouTube or Facebook. For instance, if the music within your video is licensed (like a worship song, for example), you will likely get flagged and YouTube may even delete your service.