Copyright and privacy issues are front and center these days--and it is more than an online issue. When videotaping for ministry, you will have to deal regularly with the issue of permission for taping. Not even five years ago, you hardly had to worry about the issue--times have changed. Here are the guidelines I have followed during my years in ministry:

Public events. I consider any use of the church facility that is open to the public to be a "public event." This would include worship services, Bible studies and other ongoing programs. In these circumstances, we tape freely and without specific permission. Crowd shots or activity shots that are common to these public events are generally not a privacy concern.

Private events. Private parties, studies, or ministry events not open to the public are taped on a permission basis. In these cases I tape freely once permission is given by the leader of the private group or function. This includes both on and off campus private events.

Taping of minors. This is a sticky area these days and it is better to err on the side of caution. In general I want to obtain written permission to tape or photograph minors. In most cases of ministry events, the minor may have to fill out a registration form or a medical release form (for a camp or off-campus event). In these cases, I add a clause to the form that the parents sign giving us permission to tape their child.

Subject matter. Always it is our desire to portray our video subjects in a positive light. So I would never tape an argument or a disagreement between individuals, people fighting or yelling, or other questionable activity. I don't tape people smoking or drinking. I don't tape public displays of affection unless it is specific to the subject matter and we ask permission. If I inadvertently capture any questionable content on video, I would not use that footage in the final tape. In 20 years of ministry I have not yet found a compelling reason to use "controversial" footage of this nature.

Modesty. I do not tape people eating (in general, though we may take video at a banquet or meal event, but avoid people putting food in their mouths). I do not tape people who are immodestly clothed, which includes taping by the pool or on the beach.

I am also careful not to film men or ladies whose hygiene is in question. Ladies are especially offended if one attempts to tape when they are not wearing makeup, and so I always ask permission in that case.

Artist Rights. If I am taping at a concert or other event where artist copyright is an issue for music or visual arts, I will ask the permission of management prior to taping. In some cases the management will not grant me permission to tape with unlimited access. In those cases, I ask that I be allowed to tape 5-10 minutes of the event for archival purposes.

Cast Tapings. Any cast that I audition or put together for a specific taping, such as a music video or interview segment, gives me written permission to tape them, along with a release allowing me to use the footage in whatever way I see fit.

Denial. If I am asked not to tape at an event that I am not in charge of, I will immediately stop taping. If I am taping in a public setting and someone runs from the camera, I will not pursue taping that person. Generally for every person that does not want to be on camera there are ten that do, so I don't waste time on the one who doesn't.

Going online. Footage I produce for broadcast within a church in a public forum I may also put online. This is not so much a matter of concern with adults, but right now it is a very hotly contested issue with minors. My policy is to put clips of public events online without specific permission (group, crowd and activity shots). For minors or private events, I want to secure written permission separately for online content.

Written Permission. A commitment to making good videos that show subjects in a positive light and build trust in the video team with members and leaders is my desire. When I ask for written permission, it is always to protect both the church and those in the videos. To date I have not had an instance where I have had to rely on written permission in a disagreement over videotaping--but that day will inevitably come. It is a prudent and necessary step to be prepared.

About the Author. Eugene Mason has more than two decades of experience in ministry communications and technologies. More...