Putting Sermons Media (Audio/Video) Online

A fast growing number of church websites now allow you to listen to sermons online ("streaming audio"). If you are considering doing the same, the following pages will help explain the pros and cons, as well as describe some specific methods, tips and tricks to make your usage the most effective possible.

If you are interested in providing streaming media (audio or video), then you will first want to consider the following items:

Is there a real need for this, or would this just be a "cool feature"?

While online streaming media is fast becoming a popular item (due to the growing availability of broadband Internet access), you should only offer this type of service if it is called for. A good example of a worthy reason is the presence of "shut-ins" - people who are unable to attend a service for some reason, such as illness or physical limitations. However realize that if this is going to be a true service of your website, that someone will need to keep this section up-to-date (as with any other dated content).

How much web space (storage) are you allowed to use / do you have available?

Whatever company you use to host your site probably enforces some type of limitations on what you are allowed to do and use for your website. If you do choose to pursue having media with your website, realize that it will fast become the primary source of disk space and bandwidth usage for wherever you host your website. If you have (and people use) enough media on your website, this can result in a dramatic increase in literal monetary cost. If you have a limited amout of either resource (disk space/bandwidth), then you will want to carefully weight the benefits of doing so. All this to say that you will need to check what limitations (if any) are a part of your hosting contract before you proceed.

Are you wanting to record/share just the sermon(s), or other things such as music or plays?

While sermons and such are the property of the church, realize that any music and/or other performances may be copyrighted, and must be handled properly. If you wish to record and make available such, be sure to check and properly take care of any copyrights and/or royalties that need to be taken care of. Do not simply chalk it up to "minor" usage. Christians should be forthright, and honest - period.