Purpose
Our church photographs and records services and events to (1) share worship services with those who cannot attend in person, (2) document and celebrate church life, and (3) communicate ministries and events.
Notice & Consent
Church services and events may be photographed, audio recorded, and/or video recorded (including livestream). By attending or participating, you consent to the recording and use of your image/likeness/voice in church media, including but not limited to livestreams, social media, website content, printed materials, and promotional communications.
New visitors are encouraged to complete a visitor registration card that includes a written acknowledgment of this media policy. Written acknowledgment is not required for general attendance at worship services, but it provides a documented record of notice.
How We Use Media
The church may edit, reproduce, and distribute recorded content for lawful ministry and promotional purposes, without compensation.
The church will not tag individuals by name on social media platforms without prior permission. The church will not include geolocation metadata in media posts that could compromise the safety of individuals. All media content must be reviewed and approved by the Communications Team or a designated approver prior to publication.
Respect & Privacy
We aim to use media respectfully and avoid posting content that is embarrassing, objectionable, or harmful. Some churches explicitly state similar expectations in their written policies.
When practical, we avoid identifying individuals by name without permission.
Children & Youth
To protect minors:
- We avoid identifying children by full name publicly.
- We do not use close-up/featured images of minors for promotion without parent/guardian permission.
- Children’s ministry spaces may have stricter “no personal photography” rules during programs.
Affirmative Written Consent Required. The church will not use any identifiable image, video, or audio recording of a minor (under age 18) in church media — including social media, the website, printed materials, livestream highlights, or promotional content — without a signed Media Release and Consent form from a parent or legal guardian. This applies to all identifiable images, not only close-ups or featured content.
No Personal Photography or Recording in Children’s Ministry Spaces. Congregation members and visitors are prohibited from photographing, video recording, or audio recording in children’s and youth ministry spaces (including classrooms, nurseries, and designated youth areas) during programs and events unless expressly authorized by church leadership.
Annual Re-Consent. Media release consent for minors participating in children’s and youth ministry programs must be renewed annually. Previously signed releases expire at the end of each ministry year and do not carry over.
Custody Representation. The parent or guardian signing the Media Release form must represent that he or she has the legal authority to consent on the minor’s behalf. In cases involving custody disputes or protective orders, the church will err on the side of not publishing identifiable images of the minor until written consent from all parties with legal custody is obtained.
Opt-Out / Limited Recording Option
If you do not wish to be photographed/recorded, please notify an usher/greeter or the media desk. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate (for example, directing you to a limited-camera seating area when available). Note: complete avoidance cannot be guaranteed during large group recordings or livestreams.
An individual who has previously signed a Media Release may revoke consent for future use of his or her image by submitting a written request to the Communications Team at communications@abcocmd.org. Upon receipt of a revocation request, the church will cease future use of the individual’s identifiable image in new publications within a reasonable timeframe. However, the church is not required to recall or remove content that was previously published or distributed prior to the date of the revocation request.
Sensitive Events and Mandatory No-Recording Zones
The following areas and activities are designated as mandatory no-recording zones. No photography, video recording, audio recording, or livestreaming is permitted in these areas or during these activities without the express, written consent of the individuals involved:
(a) Pastoral counseling sessions and prayer lines.
(b) Altar calls and deliverance services.
(c) Any area or activity designated by church leadership as a no-recording zone.
For weddings and funerals held at the church, the families involved must provide separate, event-specific consent for any media recording or publication. The church’s general media policy does not automatically authorize recording at these events.
Third-Party and Personal Media Use
Attendees are asked to refrain from photographing, video recording, or posting images or recordings of other attendees — particularly minors — on personal social media accounts without the consent of the individuals depicted. The church is not responsible for media captured or distributed by third parties, but reserves the right to ask attendees to delete content or cease recording if it violates this policy or creates a disruption.
Featured Interviews / Testimonials
If the church is capturing a featured interview, testimony, or clearly identifiable close-up for promotion, we will request a signed Media Release.
Data Retention and Security
The church will maintain media files (photographs, videos, and audio recordings) in accordance with the following data retention and security practices:
Retention Period. Media files will be retained for a period of [___] years from the date of capture, unless a longer retention period is required for archival, legal, or ministry purposes. At the end of the retention period, media files will be reviewed and either archived or securely deleted.
Storage and Access Controls. All media files, particularly those containing identifiable images of minors, must be stored on secure, access-controlled church systems (e.g., church-managed cloud storage or encrypted drives). Media files may not be stored on the personal devices of staff or volunteers beyond the time reasonably necessary to transfer the files to church systems.
Limitation of Liability
The church is not responsible for the use, reproduction, or distribution of media content by third parties who access publicly available livestreams, social media posts, or website content. The church makes no representations or warranties regarding the actions of third parties with respect to media published by the church.
Questions / Requests
Contact: ABCOC Communications Team | communications@abcocmd.org