I learned many things while I was in seminary. I learned things from books, my professors and teachers, classmates. I learned a lot about my self during the process. Some of it was easy, others were very painful. I came away with a lot of knowledge. However as I have lived into this thing called ministry I have a list of things I wish I had been told, taught. So here is what I have learned and lived into so maybe it'll help others. Plus some of it is just plain funny how I learned these things.
Laws and Rules-
Although many churches are exempt from certain things, they are still called to follow many laws and rules. One of the main ones that comes up often is copyright laws and rules. Churches are notorious for being communities of paper. We make a lot of copies of things and hand them out: bulletins, newsletters, inserts, etc. And while this isn't all bad to give people something to read and to take home it brings up the question of what are congregations legally allowed to copy and hand out. Even though we may own 100 copies of the old hymnal that has that certain hymn we love to sing but we've replaced those hymnals with new ones, does not mean that congregation has the legal right to print words and/or music to any hymn or song and use it in their services. In order to make copies of any music or lyrics, the best practice is to have a CCLI license that gives your the allowance to make copies of music from any hymnal or songbook your wish to use. These rules and laws also apply to using movies and recorded music in worship. If you record your services in any way you also must be careful of what you are recording and making copies of because you may not have the right to record and reproduce the music. Often times it is a best practice for congregations to not record or edit out those pieces of recorded music and videos/video clips.
A common rebuttal I hear to this is, who will find out if we make a few copies? The problem is, is that often inspections and requests to check files to see if there are violations of copyright laws are unannounced. Something as simple of someone leaving a bulletin out on table somewhere can be grounds for an inspection. There is often a fine per copy that is found to be made illegally. It can also affect a congregation's 501-c3 status.
Another reason why places of worship should comply is because we are called to be upright and just people. That means that even though we may not like the fact that we either have to pay for a license or not use something, we are called to know, respect and follow the rules and laws of our communities. If we, as called people of God, choose not to follow just laws, how can we be seen as good and just people?
Laws and Rules-
Although many churches are exempt from certain things, they are still called to follow many laws and rules. One of the main ones that comes up often is copyright laws and rules. Churches are notorious for being communities of paper. We make a lot of copies of things and hand them out: bulletins, newsletters, inserts, etc. And while this isn't all bad to give people something to read and to take home it brings up the question of what are congregations legally allowed to copy and hand out. Even though we may own 100 copies of the old hymnal that has that certain hymn we love to sing but we've replaced those hymnals with new ones, does not mean that congregation has the legal right to print words and/or music to any hymn or song and use it in their services. In order to make copies of any music or lyrics, the best practice is to have a CCLI license that gives your the allowance to make copies of music from any hymnal or songbook your wish to use. These rules and laws also apply to using movies and recorded music in worship. If you record your services in any way you also must be careful of what you are recording and making copies of because you may not have the right to record and reproduce the music. Often times it is a best practice for congregations to not record or edit out those pieces of recorded music and videos/video clips.
A common rebuttal I hear to this is, who will find out if we make a few copies? The problem is, is that often inspections and requests to check files to see if there are violations of copyright laws are unannounced. Something as simple of someone leaving a bulletin out on table somewhere can be grounds for an inspection. There is often a fine per copy that is found to be made illegally. It can also affect a congregation's 501-c3 status.
Another reason why places of worship should comply is because we are called to be upright and just people. That means that even though we may not like the fact that we either have to pay for a license or not use something, we are called to know, respect and follow the rules and laws of our communities. If we, as called people of God, choose not to follow just laws, how can we be seen as good and just people?
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