This document provides guidance on using Facebook for church congregations. It discusses that social media is an important way for churches to communicate with both current and new congregations. The document encourages churches to use Facebook to share photos, videos, and announcements and to foster connection and discussion. It also warns against overposting or ignoring people's questions. Overall, the document advocates that Facebook can help churches effectively engage and evangelize if used properly.

1. Facebook for
Your
Congregation:
The Whys and Hows

3. The bottom line is this…
“We don’t have a choice on
whether we DO social media,
the question is
how well we do it.”
–Erik Qualman (author of Socialnomics: How Social Media
Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business)

4. OLD MODEL of church communication: One Way Street
People don’t want to be talked AT,
They want to be talked WITH.

6. If not…here’s why they should be:
• EVERYONE is on Facebook. (Or…nearly everyone…)
• It’s FREE
• It’s FUN
• Did I mention everyone is on Facebook, it’s FREE and
it’s FUN??!!??

7. “Your congregation
needs to be a voice,
have a voice, in the
social media
conversation. If you
~Anne Winfrey
aren’t talking to
them, someone else

9. Oh no, Not the “E WORD!”
Facebook is a way to Facebook is a way to
evangelize to your current evangelize to your future
congregation. congregation.

10. Ideas for HOW to Use
Facebook
in Your Congregation
• Use Facebook to communicate to your congregation quickly and effectively
• Use Facebook to share photos of special events (people LOVE to see photos!)
• Use Facebook to share videos
• Use Facebook as a connection and prayer point
• Use Facebook as an invitation
• Use Facebook to increase your staff’s visibility in the congregation
• Use Facebook to have some fun
• Use Facebook to celebrate successes
• Use Facebook to rally the troops
• Use Facebook to Evangelize (yes, I said the E word again)

11. What NOT to do with
Facebook in Your Congregation
• Don’t forget about it!
• Don’t ignore people’s questions!
• Don’t over-post or I will personally send you to Facebook jail
• Don’t be cheesy, you’re not a salesman
• Don’t use Facebook to get on your soapbox
• Don’t let people be rude or disrespectful
• Don’t forget about people’s privacy

12. DON’T WORRY
You will make mistakes.
If you are sincere about helping your
congregation, the authenticity will show
and your mistakes will be forgiven.

13. • Don’t let this be a stumbling block!
• If you feel so inclined, you can set out “rules”
Let’s Talk on your Facebook page
About • Use common sense
Facebook and • Ask permission, if possible, when posting
pictures or videos
Privacy
• Let your congregation know about your social
media policy (Do you have a social media
policy?)
• Check out the ELCA’s Facebook page guidelines
(http://www.facebook.com/notes/evangelical-
lutheran-church-in-america/facebook-page-
guidelines/128793396556)
• Read “Social Media and Congregations:
Strategies, Guidelines, Best Practices and
Resources” (http://www.elca.org/Who-We-
Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-
Organization/Communication-
Services/Resources/Web-Ministry/Social-
Media.aspx)

15. http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php

17. http://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages

18. Facebook for Your Congregation,
the Super Awesome Extras Edition
Picasa App (pictures): http://apps.facebook.com/picasauploader/
• Click “Insall Now” button
• To install the Picasa Uploader, you must have Adobe AIR installed (follow
instructions on the page to install Adobe AIR)
Poll App: http://apps.facebook.com/my-polls/welcome
• Click “Try it free” button
• Follow the instructions, it will lead you through
Birthday Calendar App: http://apps.facebook.com/BirthdayCal/
Event Calendar App: http://apps.facebook.com/_calendar_/
Bible App (called YouVersion): http://apps.facebook.com/YouVersion

19. Other Facebookish Thoughts
• Think about making a social media plan in advance, perhaps
even make a calendar of what you are going to post and
when in relation to upcoming services and events
• Schedule Facebook messages via HootSuite
• Get familiar with other social media platforms (Twitter,
YouTube, blogs) and link them to your Facebook account
• Learn how to read your Facebook analytics page, and pay
attention to it
• Use private Facebook groups for:
• Youth
• Bible study
• Mission trips
• Use a QR code to get people to your Facebook page
• Use social media in worship or education