How to effectively use social media advertising for churches to foster engagement and communication with both existing and new audiences.
In an era where digital communities are just as important as physical ones, churches are presented with a unique opportunity: using social media as a channel for faith, community, and engagement.
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow churches to:
An active social media presence shows that the church is accessible and open to newcomers. Social media advertising for churches isn’t about traditional advertising—it’s about sharing the message, building relationships, and inviting people into the community, no matter where they are geographically or spiritually. This could mean inviting people to services, events, social initiatives, or encouraging more volunteers to join church activities.
Many churches have already started using social platforms—sharing sermon quotes, live-streaming baptisms, and promoting events. What once required flyers and legwork can now reach thousands online.
However, many still treat social media like a digital bulletin board rather than a strategic communication tool. That means that while they are present, the impact often falls short.
Churches communicate actively—via church newsletters, posters, and posts on Facebook and Instagram. But this communication often only reaches a small part of those already within the community.
Organic posts are rarely shown to a large audience due to algorithms and the competition for attention. That’s where paid advertising helps. It allows churches to reach further—for example, locals who aren’t aware of the church’s offerings but might benefit from them.
Digital platforms don’t replace physical community—they complement it.
They give the church a presence throughout the week, increase visibility, and create room for dialogue and spiritual reflection—even with those on the edge of the community.
Instagram ads are suited for visual storytelling. Share images from confirmations, a day in the pastor’s life, or sermon quotes to create closeness and inspiration.
In addition to support with setting up and optimizing campaigns, we also offer tailored workshops and courses for those who need a final push to get started – or guidance on how to improve their existing efforts.
Our social media workshop is tailored to the daily life of the church. You’ll learn how to plan content, create posts, use ads—and how to share faith, community, and presence online in an authentic way.
We help you set up new campaigns and optimize existing based on your goal and target audience. In close collaboration with you, we take care of everything from strategy to content and optimization and always makes sure, you are taken by the hand in our monthly performance meetings.
We help you develop a social media strategy based on your goals and target audience. This includes choosing the right social media platform, budget and content for you and your audience.
Want to learn more about how we can help you?
Here’s a simple guide on how churches can get started with Facebook and Instagram advertising:
Every good strategy starts with a simple question: What is our purpose for being here?
Do you want to:
Raise awareness about your social initiatives?
No matter the goal, it’s essential to clearly define your purpose, audience, and message. Then you can choose the right channels, content types, and ad formats.
Paid advertising allows churches to reach very specific target groups, such as local youth, families with children, or individuals interested in Christian communities.
You can segment by:
Geographic area (e.g., within 5 km of the church)
Interests: music, culture, spirituality
Behavior and past interaction
Life events: new parents = potential interest in baptism
Facebook’s ad tools make it easy to adjust location, age, and interests so you can hit your target precisely.
You don’t need a large budget. Many churches start with just 500–1000 DKK per month, which can generate hundreds of views, clicks, reactions, and new followers.
Social media is ideal for showcasing church life through photos and short videos. Share glimpses of baptisms, confirmations, community dinners, children’s ministry, and volunteers in action — this builds connection and shows the people behind the faith community.
Content with authenticity, warmth, and relevance performs best. That applies to both organic posts and ads.
Meta offers many ad types and formats. Here are a few highlights:
Lead Ads: Great for collecting contact information—for example, to sign up for baptism or confirmation newsletters.
Event Ads: Promote your Christmas service directly in people’s feeds, targeted by location.
Social media should align with your broader communication. Create a consistent thread:
Link from ads to event pages on your website
Use QR codes on physical flyers linking to your Facebook page
Collect emails through leads and follow up via newsletters
No, you can achieve a lot with just a few hundred kroner per month. It’s more about strategy than budget.
Facebook is best for a broad audience. Instagram for visual stories. YouTube for longer content.
Use Meta’s Ad Manager and Business Suite for stats. Look at clicks, signups, and event participation.
Not necessarily—but it’s powerful if the pastor is willing. Alternatively, volunteers can step forward.
Use authentic language and focus on building relationships—not pushing ads.
Yes! We’d love to help you get started. We offer both courses and workshops specifically for churches.
Many people today experience the world through their screens. That’s why it’s no longer enough to hope they walk through the church doors on their own. With advertising, the church can be present where people already are—on social media.
Combining church life and an online presence isn’t just possible—it’s essential to being visible and accessible. With a simple strategy, authentic content, and a modest ad budget, any church can:
Increase its visibility
Strengthen its community
Attract new faces
Start small, think big—and remember: what matters most is being present and genuine in everything you share.
You don’t have to do it alone. We offer guidance, help with setting up ads, idea development, and content creation — no matter your digital experience level.
We also host workshops and courses where we co-create strategies, craft relevant content, and empower you to continue working with social media in a way that suits your congregation and resources.
Get in touch today – we’ll help you get started the right way.
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