Why No Livestream?

We recognize that many local churches stream or record their services, or provide a pre-recorded presentation of song and sermon on their website. With due respect and love for sister congregations who have made this choice, at this time Redeemer Presbyterian Church chooses not to provide video streaming or video recording.

First, and perhaps least important, we do not feel that investing in video and streaming equipment is currently a worthwhile use of funds or volunteer time for our congregation. Keeping our use of technology on a Sunday morning to a minimum, frees our volunteers and leaders to invest in fellowship before and after the service.

Moreover, in order to produce a compelling livestream, we would end up compromising the quality of the in-person experience of worship and fellowship. If Redeemer ever chooses to invest resources in an online video ministry, we want it to be of a high quality, recorded and carefully edited, and tailored to the advantages of the visual medium.

Video streaming does introduce concerns about privacy and safety. Some attendees’ safety (e.g., missionaries or Muslim-background believers or seekers) could be compromised if they were to be identified on camera or in audio. Streaming performances of worship songs can introduce complex copyright considerations, as well.

Most importantly, we fear that the presence of video streaming may give some the impression that watching from home can be an adequate replacement for worship attendance at a local church body. Those who observe the worship from home do indeed benefit from the Scripture, songs, prayers, and preaching—but they are also missing out on the full experience of God’s grace through the Sacraments (the Lord’s Supper and Baptism) and through fellowship.

Instead of a livestream or video of the full service, we provide an audio recording of the sermon. We also provide resources for family worship, including the Bulletin for the service that contains readings, confession, Scriptures, and hymns. Those who wish to support the ministry of Redeemer from home may give their offerings online by clicking here, though we still worship through our offerings during the worship service.]

Nevertheless, we strongly believe that private worship is not an adequate substitute for regular participation in corporate worship. If you are able, we encourage you to attend and join a local Bible-believing church.

If you live in the Erie area and cannot attend church regularly for health (or safety) reasons, we would prefer to visit you and talk with you, sing and read Scripture together, pray, and, if appropriate, celebrate the Lord’s Supper. If you are not baptized and wish to be, and/or if you wish to be anointed with oil for healing, please reach out to us by clicking here.

If you do not live in the Erie area, we will happily call you and help to connect you with a good church closer to you.

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