Effective Social Media Tactics for Small and Large Churches

Jono Long • March 16, 2025

Social media has become essential for churches looking to connect with their members and reach out beyond their walls. Whether your church is small or large, having a vibrant social media presence can strengthen community bonds and enhance outreach efforts. Engaging with people on platforms they already use provides a chance to share messages and values effectively.

Faithworks Marketing understands the unique needs of small and large churches. By focusing on effective church social media management, you can create a dynamic online community that supports growth and connection. Whether creating a weekly post or managing daily interactions, tailoring your approach to meet your congregation’s needs ensures everyone stays engaged and connected.

Building a Community Through Social Media

Social media provides an open door for churches to connect with their members and the broader community. It allows churches to reach people where they already spend time, making it easier to share messages and updates directly. By engaging on social media, churches can foster a sense of belonging and keep communication lines open.

Engaging in conversations is key to building community spirit online. Encourage your congregation to participate by asking questions or inviting them to share personal stories and experiences. Host live Q&A sessions or devotionals that allow members to interact in real time. These activities help build relationships and make everyone feel more connected to the church’s mission.

Social media also plays a vital role in broadcasting church messages and values. It’s an ideal platform for sharing inspirational quotes, sermon highlights, or updates about community events. Regular posting keeps your audience informed and helps them feel part of the church's journey. Be sure to balance content types, from videos and images to text posts, ensuring a varied and engaging feed. Churches can extend their outreach efforts and create a welcoming online presence that resonates with current and new members.

Tailoring Content for Different Platforms

Church social media management platforms have unique audiences and styles influencing content sharing. Understanding these characteristics helps in maximizing your church’s reach effectively. Here’s a brief look at some major platforms and their strengths:

- Facebook: Great for building community and sharing detailed updates. It supports text, images, and video content, providing various ways to engage your audience.

- Instagram: Visual-centric and ideal for sharing photos, short videos, and stories. It’s perfect for connecting with younger audiences who value creativity and aesthetics.

- Twitter: Best for quick updates and sharing news. This platform fosters real-time conversation and keeps your congregation informed with brief messages.

- YouTube: Focuses on video content and is useful for sharing sermons, community events, and educational content. It aids in providing in-depth material to a broad audience.

Customizing content for each platform involves more than just adjusting formats. Consider each platform’s audience and align your messaging to fit their preferences. Use high-quality visuals and storytelling techniques to engage viewers deeply. Stunning images and compelling videos capture attention quickly and can convey powerful messages. Ensure your content is authentic and encourages interaction, helping your church shine across various digital spaces. Doing so uplifts your online presence and makes a lasting impression on your audience.

Strategies for Small Churches

Small churches can effectively use social media as a powerful tool to connect with their congregation while working within limited resources. One practical approach is focusing on grassroots engagement by tapping into the community spirit. Encourage members to share their church experiences on personal social media accounts. This extends the church’s reach and fosters a sense of ownership within the congregation.

To make the most impact, maintain consistent, authentic posts that reflect your church's personality and mission. Regular updates about services, community events, and inspirational messages can keep your audience engaged. Posting consistently helps build trust and ensures your church stays at the forefront of the congregation's mind.

Leverage the power of volunteers and community members in content creation and sharing. Recruit tech-savvy members who can manage social media accounts or host virtual events. Involving familiar faces encourages more interaction, as people are more likely to engage with peer-generated content. Small churches can effectively enhance their online presence by turning their congregation into active participants without a significant financial investment.

Strategies for Large Churches

Large churches face the unique challenge of maintaining personal connections with a wide audience. A structured approach is vital for managing interactions effectively. Form a dedicated social media team that can oversee accounts, coordinate content, and respond to inquiries promptly. Having a team ensures that efforts are cohesive and that all audience segments feel valued.

Use advanced tactics like analytics and insights to refine your outreach strategy continually. Track engagement metrics, observe trends, and gather feedback to adjust content plans. With data-driven insights, large churches can tailor their messaging to better suit the preferences of their diverse audience, ensuring that communication remains relevant and impactful.

Also, personalizing content is crucial in large churches for maintaining a close-knit feel. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, testimonies, and interactive content like polls or quizzes. Highlight different ministries and encourage members to share their experiences. By making connections personal, large churches can create a sense of belonging and foster engagement across an extensive community network.

Conclusion

Effective social media strategies can significantly enhance a church's ability to connect with its community. Whether small or large, churches can use these tools to share their values, engage members, and expand their reach. The right approach balances authentic content with strategic planning, creating an inviting online presence that resonates with audiences.

Ready to elevate your church's social media presence? Faithworks Marketing is here to help. Our expertise in crafting church social media management strategies ensures that your church can connect with its community effectively. Let us guide you in maximizing your outreach potential and creating meaningful connections through tailored social media tactics.

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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/