Woman's Heartfelt Appeal to Church Media Teams on Filming Practices
A Nigerian woman has issued a passionate appeal to the media teams of New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD) and other churches, urging them to reconsider their filming practices during worship services. The appeal comes from a place of deep vulnerability and was sparked by observations made during the recent NSPPD Prayer Conference held in Lagos.
Observations from the NSPPD Lagos Prayer Conference
Triumph Adekunle, the visioneer of Grace, Culture and Poise Finishing School in Abuja, expressed her concerns through a detailed Facebook post. She described watching the live stream of the NSPPD conference and noticing the media team focusing their camera on a man in his mid-fifties who was visibly emotional and pouring out his heart to God in tears.
"While streaming the conference I saw a man who looked to be in his mid‑50s pouring out his heart to God in tears — the media didn’t need to show that to us," Triumph wrote in her post. She emphasized that while she understands the importance of media in spreading the gospel, she questions whether capturing such intimate, vulnerable moments serves genuine evangelistic purposes.
Three Specific Recommendations for Church Media Teams
Triumph outlined three specific suggestions for how church media teams can approach their work more respectfully:
- Avoid close‑ups of worshippers in emotional or vulnerable moments – particularly at altars, prayer lines, or when people are crying during worship.
- Use primarily wide and mid shots of the congregation – limiting or avoiding prolonged focus on any single individual during services.
- Maintain respectful camera movement – refraining from intrusive zoom-ins or lingering on worshippers' faces during emotional moments.
"Please show the love and dignity of Christ in the way you use your cameras," she concluded in her appeal.
The Broader Concern About Worship Privacy
Triumph's appeal touches on a growing concern in Nigeria's digital church landscape. She expressed worry that constant camera presence might inhibit genuine worship, noting that some people now engage in performative worship specifically for camera attention.
"Some people now intentionally wait for cameras to show off worship. Chaiii!!!" she wrote, expressing frustration at this development. She also wondered how contemporary media teams would have treated biblical figures like the woman with the issue of blood, suggesting that intrusive filming might have undermined her faith.
Public Reactions to the Appeal
The woman's Facebook post has generated significant discussion among Nigerian social media users. Many have expressed agreement with her concerns about privacy during worship.
Mike Alicha commented: "I have always found this uncomfortable whenever I see those close shots of people lost in worship or pouring out their hearts to God. It's sad that some pastors are okay with it as it's been used for advertising and marketing of church programs."
Joy Victor Osazuwa added: "I miss the days where I could worship God without cameras flashing on my face. Plus I'm so sensitive that even if my eyes are closed and a camera is directed at me, I'll know it and open my eyes, so distracting."
Other commenters noted the tension between media teams doing their jobs and maintaining worshipful environments. David Durowaiye questioned: "I know it’s a job for them and other team workers in church but wait oooooo. Do they worship too? Do they have experience with God?"
The Larger Context of Digital Church Culture
This appeal comes amid growing discussions about how Nigerian churches balance digital evangelism with maintaining sacred worship spaces. Many churches have expanded their media presence significantly in recent years, particularly through live streaming and social media content creation.
Triumph's plea highlights the ethical considerations involved in this digital expansion, particularly regarding consent, privacy, and the potential commercialization of intimate spiritual moments. Her appeal suggests that while media can be a powerful tool for spreading religious messages, it must be used with sensitivity to worshippers' vulnerability and dignity.
The conversation continues as more Nigerian churches navigate the complex intersection of technology, evangelism, and worship privacy in an increasingly digital religious landscape.
