What is a church if it doesn't communicate with its members? In our opinion, it’s nothing but a one-way street that shares the gospel without taking care of the herd. And, in the 21st century, communication is increasingly moving online, where most people stay connected and updated with family and friends. 

A Facebook page allows churches to have an online presence to engage with members and reach out to potential new ones. But where do you start? Creating a Facebook page for your church isn't the same as making one for yourself, so here are the exact steps you need to take to get started.

How to Create a Church Facebook Page, Step by Step

Facebook offers different profile types for organizations and groups. Given that, you'll want to create a page for your church, not a profile. Doing so allows your church to take advantage of Facebook's marketing tools, insights, and applications. Here's how to create a Facebook church page:

1. Visit the website: Go to www.facebook.com/pages/create.
2. Write your page name: Input your page name, which should either be your church's name or another term that you'd like to promote (e.g., if your church's name is Mount of Celebration Church, you can name the Facebook page "Mountaineers' Community" or something creative).
3. Choose categories: Type "church" in the category blank, and choose a specific description from the drop-down. You can add up to three categories to accurately represent your church.
4. Write a description: Write a short description about what your church does, the services it provides, and the purpose of the Facebook page. This description is what will appear on the page's "About" section.
5. Publish the page: Click "Create Page" to publish it.
6. Choose a picture: Add a profile picture that represents your church. It could be your church logo, but we’ll discuss other options in the next section.
7. Choose a banner: Add a cover photo that complements the profile photo, describes your church, or announces new information (e.g., the annual church theme or a special upcoming event).
8. Turn notifications on: Turn the notification switch on, so you never miss any engagement or updates about your church's Facebook page. If this isn't turned on, you won't get notified when someone posts, comments, or does something else on the page.
9. Connect with a mobile number: Input the church's mobile number if you want to connect the Facebook page to WhatsApp. This makes communication more seamless and allows you to create WhatsApp ads. If your church uses a free mass texting platform, you can connect that mobile number to your Facebook page.
10. Use the page: Start posting updates, events, and announcements on your new Facebook page. Invite church members to like and follow the page, engage with users who comment on or share your posts, and even host a live stream to expand the church's reach.

Once you've created your church Facebook page, create a content calendar to plan and organize your posts. Your goal is to share relevant content and timely information that your congregation needs. 

What Should the Profile Picture Be?

Your goal is to ensure that your church's Facebook profile photo is easily recognizable, as this will be one of the first things people see when they come across your page. If you're unsure of what image to use, here are five options:

1. The church's logo, if it's easily recognizable and well-known
2. A picture of the church building, if it's an iconic structure in the town or city
3. A photo of the pastor, if your church is known for its lead minister
4. An illustration that represents the church
5. Artwork with the church's name or mission statement

In other words, use a photo that accurately reflects the church. For example, a picture of the building would make sense if your church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows. However, a choir photo might be more appropriate if your church is known for its music program. 

Once you've decided on your profile picture, double-check that it fits well with the cover photo. It's about aesthetics at this point, but it'll help with establishing and reinforcing your church's image.

Does My Church Need Facebook?

Churches have been around for centuries without social media, and they got along just fine. But in today's world, having an online presence is more important than ever. 

Here are the top three reasons why your church needs a Facebook page:

1. To engage with members of the congregation who might not be able to attend services regularly
2. To connect with new people who are searching for a church in their area
3. To share information about the church and its events with a broader audience

Here are five benefits that your church will get with a Facebook profile:

1. Highlight special moments with photos and videos.
2. Promote church events and any live stream it may have.
3. Engage with the congregation even during the weekdays.
4. Connect with other churches and religious organizations for partnerships.
5. Advertise the church to those who might not know it exists.

If you're still on the fence, consider this: over 2 billion people worldwide use Facebook – that's a lot of potential eyes on your church. And, given that creating a Facebook page is easy and free, it's a no-brainer opportunity for your church to reach a wider audience while being wholly engaged with the people it already has.

Bringing the Church Together Through Social Media

A Facebook page allows your church to have an online presence, reaching beyond the physical walls of the building to all other people worldwide. It's also a way to engage with the congregation and community members, as Facebook is a valuable marketing and engagement tool for the church.

Creating and maintaining a Facebook page does take some time and effort, but it's worth it when you consider the potential benefits.