Every platform promises to grow your church, and no small team can do them all. The best choice depends on who you want to reach and how much time you really have. Here’s a plain-English guide for UK churches and Christian charities.
How do the main platforms compare?
| Platform | Best for | Effort | Good content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local community, events, older members | Low to medium | Events, photos, notices, community news | |
| Families, young adults, visual stories | Medium | Photos, short videos, quotes, behind the scenes | |
| YouTube | Services, sermons, teaching | Medium to high | Full services, sermons, short clips |
| TikTok | Teenagers and young adults | High | Natural short videos, honest questions |
| Your own members | Low | Notices, prayer requests, reminders | |
| Christian charities, partners, funders | Low to medium | Impact stories, jobs, partnerships |
Ofcom’s research into adults’ media habits is a useful guide to how people in the UK use each platform.
Where should a small church start?
- Pick one main platform where most of the people you want to reach already are. For most churches, that’s Facebook.
- Add a second only when the first is running smoothly, usually Instagram.
- Use YouTube if you already stream or record sermons. Short clips can go on Instagram and Facebook too.
- Use WhatsApp for your church family, not for reaching new people.
From our team: before adding a new platform, ask “who will post here every week for the next six months?” If there’s no name, wait.
What should you post?
- Invitations to Sunday and to events, with clear times and places
- Real photos of church life, with consent (see our guide on photos of children)
- Short clips from the sermon (see how to turn a sermon into clips)
- Stories of community work and the difference it makes
- Seasonal posts for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter
If you’d like help, our social media management plans cover up to two platforms from £195 a month. Wondering about the budget? Read what church social media management costs.
Frequently asked questions
Should our church be on TikTok?
Only if you have someone who enjoys making short videos and you want to reach teenagers and young adults. It needs regular, natural content, not polished adverts.
How often should a church post?
Consistency matters more than volume. Two or three good posts a week on one platform beats daily posts that stop after a month.
Is Facebook still worth it for churches?
For most UK churches, yes. It's where many local community groups, events and older members still are.
Sources
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.
