Do you run your church’s social media account?

Maybe it’s Instagram or Facebook or Tiktok or maybe all of the above. Nowadays, it seems impossible to grow as a church without at least one form of social media.

But running and managing a church’s social media strategy isn’t easy. There are so many social media platforms, so many trends, and so many different ways to grow and flop. What works and what doesn’t?

In this podcast, we’ll break down everything you need to know about church and social media. We’ll look at some stats and then get into a bunch of different tips and tricks you can use to grow and flourish online.

Let’s get into it.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Table of contents

• Churches and Social Media
  • Who’s On Social Media?
  • Social Media Platforms
  • Reaching Youth
• 7 Church Social Media Hacks
  • 1. Consistency
  • 2. Stories
  • 3. Short-Form Videos
  • 4. Sermon Highlights
  • 5. Content Calendar
  • 6. Repurpose Content
  • 7. Optimize Visuals
  • 8. Authenticity
• Church Social Media
• More Resources on Social Media

In 2024, social media remains essential for churches aiming to strengthen their outreach and community engagement. As more people turn to online platforms for connection and inspiration, churches that adapt benefit from enhanced reach and relevance.

Social media offers pastors and ministry leaders opportunities to share sermons, devotionals, and updates in real-time while fostering interactions that go beyond Sunday services. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube dominate with their visual and interactive appeal, making short videos and stories crucial tools for spreading messages and inviting engagement.

But what do the stats say? And how can we use these numbers to help us manage our social media accounts?

So what’s the big deal? Why put time and energy into managing social media accounts?

Well, social media is the primary way we connect in 2024. According to Pew Research Center, 72% of people in America say they use at least one social media site.

Church growth is also always important, and unless you’re a big church that is so popular it can grow just by being popular alone, you need a way to reach new people and keep the people you already have.

Businesses use social media to grow as well. Now, your church is not about “marketing” or making money, it’s about serving God and your community. But if businesses are finding success growing by using social media, that’s a good sign we can too.

There are many popular social media platforms you can use these days. But which ones are best? Focusing on only one or two platforms is wise starting out, especially if you need to save time and energy. That means you’ll need to choose the social media platform that is right for you!

According to Churchfluence, we can see what social media platforms are popular for what age groups.

These numbers can help your church decide what social media platforms to pursue. For example, if the majority of your church is under 30, Instagram and/or Tiktok is the way to go. If your church is above 30, Facebook may be a better option.

Is your church struggling to reach youth and young adults? Well, you’re not alone.

Most churches nowadays find it difficult to grow in young members. There are a lot of reasons for this, which we won’t get into now, but it’s important to know how powerful social media can be to reach young people!

According to Statista, 70% of teenagers check social media more than once a day.

Oh yeah, and that was in 2018. Imagine how high that number is now! If that number increased from 34% to 70% in 2012 to 2018 (a 6-year gap), how much higher is it now in 2024 (another 6-year gap)?

So now we know that using social media for church growth is smart. Which platforms to choose and such is up to you and your church, but having at least one social media account is wise.

Now, let’s get into 7 social media hacks that can help your church grow online. It’s not enough to just have the accounts, it matters what you post, when you post, and why you post. And these hacks should get you on your way.

Let’s dive in.

Consistency is key when it comes to church social media posts. Regular posting helps keep your church community engaged and informed. When church members see new content regularly, they feel connected and valued, even outside of Sunday services.

Posting consistently also means your church stays visible on social media feeds, which can attract new followers and potential visitors.

Remember, it’s not just about quantity but quality too. Each post should reflect your church’s mission and values. By being consistent with your church social media posts, your church community will grow stronger, more connected, and more engaged.

Posting stories is an effective way to boost your church’s social media presence. Stories are short, engaging, and allow your church to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes moments, or daily encouragement. This simple format is perfect for keeping your content fresh and relatable.

As part of your social media strategies, stories can make your church feel more approachable and connected. Use them to share scripture...