A church or school needs a license to share or use copyrighted works in order to be in copyright compliance.

If your church or school wants to project lyrics, use music and/or lyrics in a handout, bulletin or worship aid, a music reprint license is required to be in copyright compliance. Licensing agencies work closely with copyright owners to make gaining formal permission easier and affordable for churches, schools, organizations, companies, and individuals. These agencies are able to grant specific permission for certain uses on behalf of the copyright owner. These agencies also ensure that copyright holders are appropriately compensated for the use of their songs. Purchasing a license is like receiving a permission slip from the composer to use their copyrighted works.

There are multiple licensing agencies of Christian music available today. One worth considering is LicenSing Online.