How to Use a Church Facebook Page

Is Facebook even worth your ministry’s time anymore?

This question pops up from time to time, particularly when a new platform is on the rise.

TikTok is here – should we even give any attention to Facebook anymore?

YouTube is the platform for long-term growth – so is it still worth it to invest in Facebook?

LinkedIn is making a comeback – do we stick with tried & true social media tools, like Facebook or dive into something new-to-us?

Click here for the video version of this post!

While there will always be more social media platforms than you can possibly invest your time in, we still believe there is utility for Facebook.

Especially, for churches.

In fact, below we outline 3 primary ways to use a church Facebook page.

But before we get to those, you will need people actually following and engaging with your Facebook page to begin with. 

To get the most use out of your Facebook, we recommend you optimize your Facebook page, which you can do by filling out as much of the information that Facebook allows.

If you really want to be sure your Facebook page is optimized for new eyes that may come across or search for your community, be sure to check out our videos “How to Optimize Your Facebook Page (Basic Version)” and “How to Optimize Your Facebook Page (Advanced Version),” depending on your level of comfort with the platform. 

Both videos can be found within our Digital Ministry Training Hub membership platform. 

Once you feel you have an optimized Facebook page, it’s time to use it effectively.

Here are our favorite ways to do so:

Use Your Church Facebook Page as a Website or Online Business Card

That means, you really don’t put much regular attention into posting on it or engaging with your community. 

Instead, you intentionally keep it updated and available for people to find you, redirecting Facebook page visitors to engage in the specific ways you deem most important.

The goal of a business card may be to encourage a call or email.

The goal of a website may be to encourage a visit.

What is the goal of your Facebook page?

Try to pick one or two actions you want people to take after they land on your page and lean into those with all you’ve got.

Encourage it in your about section, on your profile picture text, in your cover photo, and with the pinned post video. 

You want people to absolutely know what you want from them when they come across your page.

And then… don’t touch it!

At least no more than you’d check in with your website to make sure the information is all still up to date. 

This is a hands off way to make use of your Facebook page – the page that people are bound to come across when searching for communities like yours.

Use Your Church Facebook Page to Point People Elsewhere

Maybe, you already know you have absolutely zero time and energy to offer your Facebook.

You’ve already put effort and money into updating your website and you’d rather point all digital lurkers to this well-manicured space than try to duplicate your efforts on Facebook.

No problem! As always, be intentional.

Use all of the spaces we talked about before, but this time, it’s your website link you will be sharing everywhere, not your contact information or desired next steps:

• About section
• Profile picture text
• Cover photo
• Pinned post 

While using each of these spaces to encourage people to go to your website might not be Facebook’s favorite thing, it is far better to do so than to completely abandon your Facebook page altogether. 

Use Your Church Facebook Page to Showcase Who You Are

I know, I know, most of this advice has been how to use Facebook when you don’t have much time to offer the platform.

But what if you’re ready to give it some time and effort?

Just as we would advise with any platform – use your Facebook page to showcase who you are and what is most important to your community.

Hopefully, you are well aware of what that is.

If it is a specific ministry, keep your followers up to date through consistent photo and video updates.

If there are online conversations or posts being shared elsewhere, promote those links often, telling stories of impactful moments taking place in these spaces.

If you have a special worship series, highlight this via your cover photo and pinned events. 

Facebook is not dead.

Facebook groups see more engagement than Facebook pages these days, but Facebook is still a space worth showing up and sharing your ministry.

If you don’t have time to do that on a weekly basis, using your page to promote your website or encourage a specific action step may be your best bet.

For more walkthroughs on how to optimize your Facebook page, how to pin a post, or the opportunity to ask your specific question, be sure to sign up for access to the Digital Ministry Training Hub to grow your community online and beyond.