Solving Social Media Engagement Problems for Churches

Jono Long • April 13, 2025

Social media plays a big role in the everyday lives of many people, and churches are starting to recognize its potential. A good social media strategy can help churches reach more people, share their messages loudly, and keep current members engaged. Think about how a well-timed post or an inspiring message can spark interest or bring people into your next event. In this digital space, churches have the chance to build community bonds and extend their outreach further than ever before.

Faithworks Marketing understands these challenges and helps churches enhance their social media presence. By addressing common engagement issues and employing targeted strategies, churches can connect with their audiences more effectively. Let's look at some of the common problems churches face in this arena and how they might overcome these challenges.

Common Social Media Engagement Problems Churches Face

Social media offers churches a wonderful platform, yet many struggle with engagement issues. Understanding these common barriers can lead to more effective solutions. Here are some typical problems:

1. Low Interaction on Posts: Churches often post engaging content, yet interaction remains low. It can be disheartening to see fewer likes, shares, or comments than expected. This lack of interaction might be due to unfamiliarity with the community's interests or the type of content that resonates best.

2. Difficulty Reaching Target Audience: Identifying and connecting with the right people can be tricky. The target audience for a church might include various age groups with different social media habits. Finding ways to effectively reach each segment requires careful planning and understanding of your audience.

3. Challenges in Creating Engaging Content: Building content that captivates and invites participation can be hard. Churches may have inspiring messages, but how these messages are crafted and delivered plays a crucial role in engagement. There's an art to making content both relatable and powerful.

Understanding these obstacles is the first step toward overcoming them. By recognizing where the gaps are, churches can find ways to bridge them, create meaningful content, and foster genuine connections. With thoughtful strategies and a clear understanding of their community, churches can rejuvenate their social media presence and welcome new and old members alike.

Strategies to Improve Social Media Engagement

To tackle these common social media challenges, a few effective strategies can help churches boost their engagement. By knowing your audience and using interactive features, churches can foster a lively online community.

Creating relatable and compelling content is vital. Think of content as a way to tell a story. Sharing personal stories or testimonials from members can make your posts more engaging. People love to see real-life examples and experiences that reflect their lives and values. This type of content resonates well and invites interaction, encouraging members to like, comment, and share.

Interactive features like polls, questions, and live videos work wonders in getting the audience involved. Encouraging your followers to participate directly makes them feel valued and heard. Try hosting a live video Q&A session about upcoming events or sending a poll about topics the congregation cares about. Feedback gained can further tailor the content to your community’s interests.

Consistency matters when it comes to social media. Posting consistently and at optimal times ensures that your content reaches your audience when they are most active. Use scheduling tools to help plan regular posts without gaps. Trying out different times and observing audience reactions can help pinpoint the best posting schedule.

Tools and Resources for Effective Church Social Media Management

Navigating social media can be simplified using the right tools and resources. They provide valuable insights and make managing multiple platforms more efficient.

Scheduling tools and analytics platforms help in planning and tracking performance. Tools like these allow you to set up posts in advance, ensuring a steady stream of content, and provide data on what works best. Regularly reviewing analytics can reveal what types of content receive the most engagement and which posting times are most effective.

Graphics and video creation tools lift the visual appeal of your posts. High-quality images and videos create an eye-catching scroll-stopping effect. Consider using graphics to highlight quotes from sermons or showcase photos from recent events. Engaging visuals make your messages more memorable.

Community feedback and involvement shouldn’t be overlooked. Encourage feedback from your congregation on the content you share. Hosting virtual focus groups or simply asking for opinions in comments or through direct messages helps shape a more community-driven approach to your social media strategies.

The Role of Faithworks Marketing in Enhancing Church Social Media Presence

Understanding and utilizing these strategies and tools can transform how churches interact on social platforms. By assessing specific needs and tailoring approaches, churches can create meaningful, engaging online experiences.

A professional partner like Faithworks Marketing can aid in customizing these strategies for even better results. Their expertise ensures that every message not only reaches its audience but truly resonates.

Keep Building Your Church’s Online Community

Keeping the online community robust is an ongoing effort. With the right strategies and resources, churches can keep conversations alive and deepen connections with their members. It requires consistent attention and willingness to adapt to changing times and audience needs.

Remember, building a sense of belonging and inclusion online extends far beyond just posting. Engaged communities are nurtured with care and commitment. By staying updated with digital trends and fostering genuine connections, churches can continue to grow a vibrant online community that supports and uplifts its members.

Ready to overcome the challenges of church social media engagement? Faithworks Marketing offers the expertise you need with comprehensive social media management for churches. Our tailored strategies will help you reach and connect with your audience more effectively. Elevate your church's online presence and community today!

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AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

By Jono Long • August 21, 2025

For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry. In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long , founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision. Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt. Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing , an agency serving churches across the country. Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative , which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production. Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church. Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality. Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones. Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job. Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant , which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising . Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.” Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include: Create content-rich pages : Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions. Leverage sermons : Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO. Target felt needs : Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online. By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning. SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever . “Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community. Lessons from the Trenches of Business Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes. For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error. Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan. Creative Side Hustles for Pastors Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize. Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits. Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures. From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it. The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially. The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time. 🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com 🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/