Blog Layout
Social Media Strategies for Modern Churches: A Pathway to Engagement
Jonathan Long • April 18, 2024
Social media is an indispensable tool for churches today, a powerful platform to spread the message of faith, hope, and love. But with the vast digital landscape and multiple platforms to choose from, it can quickly become overwhelming. How can we ensure we're maximizing our influence? How can we engage our congregation and attract new members in a meaningful way?
Don't fret; we are going to delve into some practical, easy-to-implement strategies to elevate your church's social media presence to the next level. From understanding your audience and crafting compelling content, to scheduling posts for maximum engagement and leveraging analytics for continuous improvement, we'll guide you through the process of streamlining your church's social media strategy.
Whether you're a social media novice or a seasoned pro, we've got something for you. Let's walk this exciting journey together, enhancing our digital outreach, nurturing online communities, and making a greater impact on God's Kingdom.
Effective Social Media Strategies for Promoting Church Activities
1. Choosing the Best Social Media Platforms for Your Church
Selecting the most appropriate and effective social media platforms for your church is vital. Start by researching the demographics of your current and potential audience to determine which platforms they're using most often. Consider the type and format of content you wish to share and the platforms that best showcase those forms of media. For example:
- Facebook: Ideal for sharing a mix of text, images, videos, events, and live broadcasts, with a wide audience range.
- Instagram: A visually-focused platform perfect for inspiring images, short video clips, and graphics with a younger demographic.
- Twitter: Best for sharing news, updates, and engaging in real-time conversations with your audience.
- LinkedIn: Useful for networking with other church professionals and sharing more in-depth articles and resources.
- YouTube: A video-sharing platform perfect for uploading sermons, worship music, and other video content.
2. Consistency and Scheduling in Your Church's Social Media Strategy
Maintaining a consistent posting schedule is crucial for cultivating an engaged audience. Consistency helps you stay visible in your followers' feeds and keeps your content relevant and fresh. Establish a posting schedule that works for your church by considering the following:
- Frequency: Determine how often you'll be posting on each platform. Posting too frequently can cause followers to feel overwhelmed, while posting too infrequently may lead to disengagement.
- Timing: Find the optimal times for posting by analyzing your audience's activity patterns and experimenting with different posting times.
- Content Mix: Achieve a balance of content types, such as images, videos, text, and links to relevant articles or resources.
- Themes: Use daily or weekly themes to keep your content organized and coherent. Examples of themes could include weekly scripture highlights, upcoming events, or Sunday sermon recaps.
3. Crafting Engaging and Shareable Content
Creating content that resonates with your audience is vital for achieving engagement and inspiring spiritual growth. Focus on providing value to your followers by sharing content that aligns with your church's mission and values. Consider the following tips for crafting engaging and shareable content:
- Emotional Impact: Share meaningful stories, testimonials, or quotes that evoke emotions and inspire connection within your community.
- Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images, graphics, and videos that catch your followers' attention and encourage sharing.
- Educational Value: Provide informative, insightful, and thought-provoking content that educates and enriches your audience's spiritual lives.
- Shareable Element: Craft headlines and captions that pique interest, making it more likely for your followers to engage with your content and share it with others.
4. Monitoring Performance and Adapting Your Strategy
Stay informed on your social media strategy's progress by continually monitoring performance data. Use analytics tools available on most platforms to gather insights on metrics such as engagement, reach, and follower growth. By analyzing this data, you can:
- Identify which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Discover optimal posting times to maximize visibility and engagement.
- Uncover new trends or shifts in your target audience's preferences.
- Adjust your goals and objectives as your online community evolves and grows.
Revamping Your Church's Social Media Strategy for Better Engagement
Think of your social media strategy as a roadmap guiding your online communication efforts. It's not about posting just for the sake of posting, but about communicating with intentionality, purpose, and consistency to foster genuine connections with your audience. Whether it's inspiring daily devotionals, behind-the-scenes snapshots, or thought-provoking discussion prompts, every post should serve a purpose and resonate with your followers.
Empower your church's social media presence and take advantage of our expert knowledge in building and managing websites for non-profits and churches. We’re here to help you bring more people to your site and through your front doors. Contact Faithworks Marketing today to get started on your journey to digital success with our
social media management services for churches!
Latest Posts
The mission of the church has always been to reach people with the gospel, but the methods of doing so have evolved. In the past, word-of-mouth, community events, and print media were the primary ways churches engaged with their communities. Today, however, people spend a significant portion of their lives online, making digital platforms the new mission field. Despite this shift, some pastors and church leaders resist the idea of marketing, believing it to be unspiritual or unnecessary. However, as Pastor George Ashford of Journey Church in Columbia, SC, explains in a recent episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast , evangelism has always been about meeting people where they are—and in 2025, that place is social media. This blog will explore why churches need to embrace digital marketing, how Journey Church successfully uses social media for outreach, and practical steps your church can take to expand its online presence. The Misconception About Church Marketing One of the biggest pushbacks against digital marketing in churches is the belief that "we don’t need marketing, we just need to preach the word." Many pastors see social media outreach as unnecessary, or worse, a distraction from traditional evangelism. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out in the podcast, evangelism has always been about going where the people are . John Wesley, one of the founding figures of the Methodist movement, didn’t wait for people to come to a church building—he went into fields, coal mines, and public squares to preach. The same principle applies today: if people are spending hours on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, then churches must be there too. Critics of church marketing often don’t realize that many of the methods they already use—flyers, event invitations, and even a church website—are forms of marketing. Digital platforms simply allow churches to do the same thing more effectively and on a larger scale . How Journey Church Uses Digital Marketing Effectively Journey Church, under the leadership of Pastor George Ashford, has embraced digital marketing as an essential tool for reaching people. Their approach includes: ✅ Social Media Outreach – Journey Church actively shares sermon clips, event promotions, and ministry highlights on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok . This ensures their message reaches beyond just those who attend on Sundays. ✅ YouTube Testimonies – The church created a "Journey Responsible Church" YouTube page featuring real-life testimonies on topics like mental health, addiction, and domestic violence . These videos are not just about promoting the church but providing valuable content that helps people . ✅ Online Giving Strategy – By establishing a strong online giving system before the COVID-19 pandemic, Journey Church was able to sustain financial support even when in-person attendance was not possible. ✅ Quality Over Quantity – They prioritize good sound and video quality to make sure their messages are heard clearly and professionally. As Pastor Ashford said, “If people can’t hear you, then your message is lost.” These strategies have allowed Journey Church to grow in both reach and impact —all by leveraging the power of digital marketing. Key Strategies for Churches to Improve Their Online Presence If your church is new to digital marketing, here are five key steps to help you get started: 1. Embrace Social Media Your church doesn’t have to be on every platform, but it should at least have an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Each platform serves a different purpose: Facebook – Best for engaging with church members, sharing announcements, and live streaming. YouTube – Perfect for sermon uploads, Bible studies, and testimonials. Instagram/TikTok – Ideal for short, engaging clips that attract younger audiences. 2. Be Consistent A social media page that only posts once every few months isn’t effective. Create a schedule for regular posts, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly . 3. Prioritize Quality Good lighting, clear audio, and engaging visuals make a difference. Invest in a good microphone and camera or partner with a company like Faithworks to ensure high-quality content. 4. Encourage Online Giving Digital giving is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Services like Tithe.ly, Pushpay, and PayPal allow members to give from anywhere . As Pastor Ashford pointed out, 50% of Journey Church’s weekly giving now comes from online sources. 5. Track Your Progress Use analytics tools to track engagement. Facebook and YouTube provide insights on views, shares, and comments , helping you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Overcoming Fear and Resistance Many churches hesitate to embrace digital marketing because they fear change or feel overwhelmed by technology. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out, resistance to social media often comes from fear of being left behind . He shared a humorous but profound analogy: "If someone tells me social media marketing isn’t necessary, I ask them—do you still have a big, old-school TV in your house? Probably not. Technology has changed, and so should the church." Churches that fail to adapt are missing out on reaching an entire generation that consumes content primarily through digital platforms. Instead of rejecting social media, churches should use it as a tool to expand their impact . Conclusion The message of the gospel is timeless, but the methods of sharing it must evolve. Social media is not a replacement for evangelism—it is a tool for evangelism. As Pastor Ashford passionately emphasized in the podcast: "Just do it!" Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start small, stay consistent, and use every tool at your disposal to reach more people for Christ. By embracing digital marketing, your church can extend its reach, engage its community, and fulfill its mission in the modern world. If your church needs help with social media marketing, consider partnering with experts like Faithworks to ensure your content is professional, engaging, and effective. Also, check out Journey Church’s YouTube channel (search for Journey Responsible Church ) to see a great example of how a church can use digital platforms to make an impact. 🔹 What’s one step your church can take today to improve its online presence? Let us know in the comments!
Learn why a clear online presence is vital for your church's growth. Discover key elements and strategies to enhance your reach and engagement.
Discover how visual content can capture attention and boost engagement on church websites. Learn tips for choosing effective visuals and measuring success.
Learn how churches can tackle SEO challenges with local SEO, improved website performance, and engaging content strategies for better online presence.
Discover simple ways to boost church attendance using engaging social media content and strategies to connect with your community. Read more!
Learn how advertising for churches can move your audience from awareness to active participation. Explore strategies and tips for success. Read on!
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Discover fun online activities to connect your church community through virtual events, social media, and digital storytelling. Read on to know more!
Learn how to use Google Ad Grant for reaching more people. Set up campaigns, create ads, and measure success with simple tips. Read on to know more!
As churches navigate an ever-evolving cultural and technological landscape, reaching communities effectively requires innovation, intentionality, and an unwavering commitment to serving people where they are. In this episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Jono Long sat down with Doug Garasic, pastor of Rust City Church in Ohio, to discuss what it means to truly impact communities in meaningful ways. Their conversation offered a wealth of insights for pastors and church leaders ready to embrace bold outreach strategies and sustainable growth. The Foundation: “Known Before Needed” One of the standout principles Doug shared is that churches must be “known before needed.” In times of personal crisis or pivotal life moments, people look to the church. Doug emphasized that making an impact requires consistent presence and visibility in the community. This visibility isn’t about flashy marketing or gimmicks—it’s about meeting tangible needs and building trust over time. For example, Rust City Church moved beyond traditional outreach methods like backpack giveaways, which were already saturated in their area. Instead, they asked local schools what they truly needed. The answer? Support for teachers. The church transformed a school library into a spa day for faculty and staff, complete with massages, gift cards, and supplies. This disruption of expectations created a memorable and meaningful experience, leaving a lasting impression of care and support. Building Outreach on Intentionality A key takeaway from Doug’s story is the importance of intentionality. Churches must resist the urge to replicate what others are doing and instead focus on real community needs. Before launching an outreach effort, Rust City Church asks, “What’s not being done that needs to be done?” This intentional approach not only avoids redundancy but ensures their actions resonate with the people they serve. One innovative example is their "Black Friday Survival Kit" initiative. Instead of focusing on shoppers, they provided lattes, snacks, and stress-relief items to mall employees working on the busiest day of the year. Simple yet impactful, this initiative highlighted the church’s creativity in identifying overlooked segments of the community. Sustaining Momentum: Less is More Doug highlighted the danger of burnout for both church leaders and members. To combat this, Rust City Church focuses on doing fewer events but executing them with greater impact. By choosing two to four key outreach initiatives annually and dedicating their full resources to them, they ensure each event is impactful, memorable, and sustainable. Doug also shared an essential leadership principle: every successful initiative needs a “champion” within the congregation and an external “coach” for guidance. This dual structure helps churches maintain energy, focus, and excellence without overwhelming their teams. Learning from Failures Not every effort yields the desired results, as Doug candidly admitted. In one instance, Rust City Church gave away a fully remodeled home to a family in need, only to have the family sell the house within weeks. While disheartening, the experience reinforced the importance of learning from mistakes and seeking guidance from organizations with more experience in similar efforts. “Cracking the code” of impactful outreach requires patience, trial, and humility. It’s about aligning passion with processes to create enduring change. Marketing Beyond the Walls For Doug, effective church marketing isn’t about flashy ads or exaggerated promises. He describes the dangers of “monster truck marketing”—overblown promotions that fail to deliver genuine impact. Instead, he advocates for sharing authentic stories of community engagement. By amplifying the meaningful work churches are already doing, they not only attract people but also build a reputation as a vital and trustworthy presence in the community. Playing the Long Game Doug’s advice for 2025 is clear: churches must embrace the long game. The goal isn’t to fill seats overnight but to create a culture of care and service that naturally attracts people when they’re ready for spiritual growth. As Doug puts it, “Even people who don’t attend our church should be glad we’re here.” For pastors and leaders looking to make a deeper impact in their communities, the principles shared in this conversation offer a roadmap: be intentional, prioritize sustainability, embrace innovation, and always lead with love.
hello@faithworksmarketing.com
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm
© 2025 All Rights Reserved | Faithworks Marketing