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March 2002 Table of Contents
Special Feature
Video In The Church
By Rod Rachinski
Just before the Pastor comes up to share his message, the lights dim slightly and the video projector comes alive with a scene from a recent Hollywood release…the car is winding down a mountain road picking up speed as it goes, ultimately going out of control and flying over the cliff. As the dust settles the driver of the car is seen hanging onto the edge of the cliff in desperate straits. At that point the video fades and the Pastor begins his message about hanging on when life seems to be going out of control…needless to say, he had the congregation's attention.
The media focused culture of today demands that churches look for new and creative ways to communicate. One of the fastest growing trends among churches is the use of video in services, youth meetings and Sunday school classes. In fact, with the price of video equipment becoming more affordable, the videocassette player, DVD player, video monitor and video projector have become standard equipment in most churches today.
Applying Creativity To Media Technology
This video clip story, shared recently at a church conference, is just one example of creative ways video is being used in the church today. Just think about the variety of ways pre-recorded videos can be used to communicate, from children's videos, to educational videos, to full-length movies. The video technology tools are there for the church to use and waiting for you to determine how you want to use them.
Making the sermon point clear: Just as was described above, Pastors across the country are now using the assistance of major feature movies to illustrate their sermons. Imagine the effect of playing 3 minutes of a major feature movie to lead into your sermon. Not only are you using an impacting means of illustrating your message, but you're also taking advantage of a high quality multi-million dollar production to do it.
Youth Group Movie Night: As a result of youth programs looking for ways to reach out to the youth of the church and the community, a growing activity among church youth groups is Movie Night. Rent or buy a video, get the word out that Friday is free movie night and pop the popcorn. Where there is food and movies, youth are sure to be there. Many youth groups are also tying in a discussion time at the end of a video.
Children's videos: From Nursery to Sunday school classes, churches are finding that the use of video is a great assist to instruct and communicate.
The FBI Warning - What The Law Says
With this fast growing trend of video use comes the risk that many churches using pre-recorded videos may be unknowingly breaking the Copyright Law.
Most of us tend to fast-forward through the "FBI warning" at the beginning of videos, but according to the Federal Copyright Act of 1976, pre-recorded home videocassettes or videodiscs are authorized for personal home-use only. Unless specific permission has been granted, viewing these videos outside of the home, such as in church sanctuaries or church meeting rooms, would be a violation of the law. This is the case whether you rent or purchase the video. Violations of the Copyright Act can result in substantial fines - up to $30,000 per infringement.
This is even the case for non-profit groups and churches, even if admission is not being charged or if the home videocassette or videodisc has been purchased. If you want to show these videos in an environment outside the home, it is necessary to have permission. If the video does not carry a 'public performance right', permission needs to be secured from the producer. This can be a time consuming and costly process.
Before you decide to declare the video use as a good idea but not worth the administrative demands, there is good news.
CVLI
In response to the growing practice of video use by churches, Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI) and Motion Picture Licensing Corp. (MPLC) have partnered together to create Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI). CVLI is an independent licensing agency providing an annual low cost license to churches, religious schools, camps, childcare centers, and all other church operated sites that show video material. This new license is called the Church Video License and provides legal coverage for churches to show thousands of pre-recorded videocassettes and videodiscs at your church.
The Church Video License provides the option of two packages. Churches can select the package that best suits their video performance needs.
The Family Value Producer Package is for churches whose video needs are focused on religious and family-based titles. This package contains title from over 30 producers such as EO International, McGraw-Hill, Russ Doughten Films, Scholastic Entertainment and Tommy Nelson, to name a few. Annual fees for this license range from $45-$75.
The Total Producer Package is for churches whose video needs not only include the Family Values Producers but also include a list of big studio producers including Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney Pictures, and Hanna-Barbera. Annual fees for this package range from $150-$200.
You can find a complete Producer listing for these packages at www.cvli.org.
It should be noted that this license does not cover materials that have been copied from another source or recorded from television. It also does not cover advertising specific titles publicly or charging an admission fee.
You can find out more about the Church Video License by contacting CVLI at 1-888-771-2854 or visit www.cvli.org.
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