Pastor Tolu Ayeni Raises Concerns on Church Ethics, Filming Deliverance Sessions

A conversation on the ethics of recording and publishing sensitive moments during church services has gained traction on X (formerly known as Twitter) after Pastor Tolu Ayeni, Lead Pastor of Green Church UK and faith teacher, called for a broader discussion on how churches use media.

Reacting to a viral clip from a deliverance session involving Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Ayeni wrote on X:

“Our use of media in church needs to be discussed extensively.”

The post has ignited debate among pastors, media practitioners, legal minds and Christians, with many reflecting on whether every moment of ministry should be captured and shared online.

Christians Raise Privacy Concerns

Many respondents agreed with Pastor Ayeni’s observation, arguing that while media has become an indispensable tool for evangelism, churches should exercise greater discretion when recording people during emotionally vulnerable moments.

One commenter, OhiZ, wrote:

“I am always of the opinion that people shouldn’t be recorded during vulnerable moments. It’s of no use to the individual nor viewers.”

Another user, Temitopilo, criticised what he described as filming “people’s vulnerable movements for social media likes.”

Echoing similar concerns, another respondent said:

“Some events in church have no business online.”

Others suggested that ministries should be mindful of privacy and consent, particularly during deliverance sessions, counselling and other deeply personal encounters.

Cameras Can Also Protect Ministers

Not everyone agreed that churches should reduce the use of cameras.

Joining the conversation, Apostle Magnus Seyi shared a personal experience in which video footage allegedly protected him from a false accusation after ministering to a woman during one of his meetings.

According to him, a young woman later accused him of inappropriate conduct and making promises of money and property. However, he said the recorded footage of the encounter helped establish what had actually occurred.

“Camera have actually acted as a savior for me at a time… Once I bring out the film of the said moment… everybody eye clear once,” he wrote, concluding that cameras also serve as evidence in situations where ministers face false allegations.

Another user similarly argued that “everything needs to be documented.”

The Church’s Digital Responsibility

The discussion is expanding beyond the viral clip to the wider role of media in contemporary ministry. Some contributors have argued that churches should distinguish between documenting worship services for evangelism and broadcasting deeply personal ministry moments that could expose individuals to ridicule or embarrassment.

One respondent noted:

“Our pastor always tells us… not everything needs to be put out online.”

Another added:

“Outside preaching and thereby extending the message, I don’t see sense and reason in putting the camera in the faces of people.”

Others maintained that church attendees are generally aware that services are recorded and livestreamed, making documentation a normal feature of modern ministry.

As churches continue to embrace digital platforms to spread the Gospel, the conversation initiated by Pastor Ayeni has highlighted the need for thoughtful conversations around media ethics in ministry.

The discussion raises important questions for churches and media teams alike: How can ministries leverage technology to expand their reach while protecting the dignity, privacy and trust of those receiving ministry?

While opinions remain divided, many agree on one point - the Church’s growing digital influence should be accompanied by wisdom, compassion and clear ethical guidelines on what is appropriate for public consumption.

For many observers, the debate is less about whether churches should use cameras, and more about how they use them in ways that honour both the Gospel and the people they serve.