Pre-conference Debate · Working title

Is CCLI Good for the Church?

Monday, September 13, 2027

3:30Debate — the affirmative is still to be found
4:45Q&A with the debaters

Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church, Sunnyvale, California

Format

Debate	60 min
Introduction	8 min
Affirmative Opening Statement	10 min
Cross Examination of the Affirmative	6 min
Negative Opening Statement	12 min
Cross Examination of the Negative	6 min
Affirmative Rebuttal	6 min
Negative Rebuttal + Closing Statement	8 min
Affirmative Closing Statement	4 min
Break	15 min
Q&A with the debatersEach debater may answer every question, even one put to the other.	60 min

Back to conference

The challenge

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) sells churches the right to reproduce copyrighted worship songs (to print, project and record them) and pays royalties to the songs’ owners. Is that a faithful way to serve the church, or a toll on its praise? We’re looking for someone to take the affirmative: to argue that CCLI is good for the church. If you’d make that case, write to us.

Take the challenge

Debates from previous years

#doreancon2026

Is the Sale of Biblical Instruction Simony?

Conley Owens vs. Tanner Cartwright

Moderated by Michael Coughlin, followed by Q&A with the debaters.

Is Selling Licenses to Bible Translations a Sin?

Conley Owens vs. Jonathan Melin

Moderated by Michael Coughlin.