Dr. BJ Condrey

A while back, Tim Challies wrote a blog titled, “Is It Time To Stop Streaming Your Service?” where he challenged the church practice of streaming services, particularly preaching, online. His argument struck a chord with me, and it has significantly shifted my perspective. The concern isn’t that live streaming is intrinsically wrong or evil, but rather what it can do to the preacher’s heart—and, by extension, the health of the local church.

The human heart is deeply susceptible to pride, vanity, and seeking glory from people, even after regeneration. When sermons are live-streamed, it can tempt pastors to think beyond their local congregation, the very people God has called them to shepherd. Instead, the focus may drift toward building a larger online following, landing speaking engagements, and even selling books. The message, meant to minister to the unique needs of the local body, risks being shaped with a broader, more ambitious audience in mind. Over time, the pastor may stop preaching for and to their congregation, choosing instead to appeal to an imagined or desired global audience.

In this shift, pastors can unwittingly become performers rather than shepherds. The pulpit, meant to be a place of faithful teaching and care, can turn into a platform for self-promotion. The temptation to make a name for oneself can creep in subtly, encouraged by the visibility and reach of live streaming.

This isn’t to say that churches should abandon all forms of digital outreach. There are other ways to share sermons with those who cannot attend in person—such as recording the message and emailing it to the congregation or offering it on a password-protected platform. These alternatives allow the message to be accessible without the immediacy and far-reaching effects of live streaming. Even if a church wants to stream, maybe they do so only once per month.

What has challenged me most about Challies’ perspective is the recognition of how high the stakes are. Live streaming might seem harmless, but the risk to the pastor’s heart—and to the spiritual health of the local church—might be too great. When a pastor’s motives are corrupted by ambition, even subtly, the gospel message can lose its focus on the people right in front of them.

As a church, our calling is to care for the flock God has entrusted to us. Pastors are not called to be performers or influencers; they are called to be faithful shepherds. While live streaming may have its uses, we must be cautious about what it might cost. The heart of the pastor—and the health of the local church—is worth considering.