Cancel CCLI

1. Why Cancel CCLI?

CCLI, while marketed as a tool for churches, financially supports the very worship industry that has led many congregations into theological confusion. CCLI:

  • Pays licensing royalties to artists and publishers who promote vague, emotionally-driven, and doctrinally compromised songs.
  • Supports music from Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation, and others whose theology often contradicts historic Christian orthodoxy.
  • Is now owned by the same parent company that owns SESAC, a for-profit performance rights organization tied to secular music publishing and entertainment interests.

When your church pays for a CCLI license, it’s indirectly funding these movements.

2. Why FreeChurchSongs.org Requires No License

All songs on freechurchsongs.org are:

  • Original and anonymously offered
  • Completely free for church use
  • Unencumbered by royalties or usage reporting
  • Outside the CCLI system entirely

You don’t need to track usage, fill out reports, or worry about copyright. Worship should be simple, faithful, and free.

3. How to Cancel CCLI

Step 1: Log in at ccli.com
Step 2: Navigate to “Manage My Account”
Step 3: Choose “Cancel License” or “Do Not Renew”
Step 4: If needed, contact CCLI directly:

Important: If your church uses any commercial worship songs outside Free Church Songs (meaning, you replicate printed music or display lyrics), you’ll need to replace or retire them (or secure the rights directly with the copyright holders) to remain copyright-compliant without CCLI.

4. What to Use Instead

  • The free, biblical, and anonymous songs on freechurchsongs.org
  • Historic hymns in the public domain (with caution)
  • Custom arrangements that your church creates

Read more research and background information on CCLI and the worship industry here.