Barna Group recently partnered with the church planting organization Stadia to conduct a nationwide survey evaluating the various ministry approaches prompted by COVID-19. The findings uncovered something that came up recently during meetings I had with several church leaders: the hybrid church experience. In reflecting on its study, Stadia made this observation:

In an age when many churches are already closing their doors, is it possible for churches to grow in a new, seemingly harsher environment? Is multiplication still possible? We at Stadia believe that the answer to these questions is “yes”—with a hybrid ministry model that uses physical and digital expressions of ministry to complement the Church’s mission, vision and strategy. We call this blend of digital and physical “phygital.”

But churches must understand that “phygital” ministry comes with many legal, tax, finance, and risk management implications. In particular, churches carrying out ministry online remain susceptible to copyright law problems and online privacy concerns.

As your church continues to conduct online or “phygital” ministries during the pandemic, check out these articles that address several pertinent questions:

• Is posting prayer lists online an invasion of privacy?
• How do we keep children and teens safe while ministering online?
• Are we allowed to post videos and pictures of kids at church events?
• Is our church illegally using copyrighted images on its website?
• Did my church infringe copyright laws when it used YouTube videos during a livestream service?

Lastly, go deeper on copyright issues with attorney Richard Hammar’s Essential Guide to Copyright Law for Churches. It covers common infringement risks and available copyright protections for ministers and staff, plus directions that can help shape practical policies and procedures (all of it especially timely as the holiday season approaches). There’s even a special offer available to readers like you—but only for a limited time.

Also this week:

• A tax court imposed substantial penalties on a minister who claimed he functioned as a church. Read why his argument failed.
• Advantage Members: This Bronx church’s story offers yet another reason to revisit our recent exclusive article on the cautions churches should take before working with commercial and residential developers. (Not an Advantage Member? Join today.)
• Free Webinar: The financial strain of the pandemic has made it difficult for many churches to maintain current staffing levels. Explore practical solutions in a highly practical session on November 19—hosted by ChurchSalary and featuring Matt Steen of ChemistryStaffing.

The Lord bless you and keep you,