Now, I don’t love everything about Facebook. Don’t get me started on the algorithm.

Messenger was initially a frustration because its notifications kept intruding into my space. In 2016, I worked out how to get those notifications under control. The app was meant to serve me, not vice versa.

By January 2022, I was using Messenger extensively to connect with friends and people in ministry. That change captures something important about social media: learn how to make the tool work for you.

The stories below reflect my experience over the years. The value I see is in the relationships, conversations and ministry opportunities Facebook can help create.

1. Connection

Facebook helps me stay in my friends’ worlds especially people that I don’t see very often.

I get to step into their world and connect with their lives. In fact, it’s amazing how often I’ll say to someone “Yes I saw that on Facebook”. While some people see that as intrusive I consider it helpful.

2. New Friends

I’ve made plenty of new friends through Facebook.

I’ve become good friends with the guys at the 200Churches podcast, Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig, through Facebook.

I also found a group of friends through the Small Church Pastors Facebook group run by Dave Jacobs.

Some of these friendships are at an acquaintance level but I think that’s just a reflection of how relationships work in the physical world.

3. Ministry Opportunities

Social media apps like Facebook have opened up ministry doors for me.

In the two years before I first wrote this article, I had been interviewed on three different USA-based podcasts because of my activity on social media.

This includes the 200Churches Podcast and the unSeminary Podcast with Rich Birch whom I followed on Twitter at the time.

After one of those podcasts I connected with a Christian leader in Florida via Skype at the time who heard me and wanted to chat further about some things I had mentioned on the podcast.

Facebook has certainly helped me build rapport with pastors and led to ministry opportunities.

Facebook can help you grow a healthy church.

4. Active Engagement

When I first wrote this article, I enjoyed Twitter for the easy access to news and sport through reporters and news and sports channels. However, I found the engagement level much lower than Facebook.

At that time, far more people commented on and liked my Facebook posts than anything I posted on Twitter.

Some of this engagement is light-hearted but I’ve also been involved in serious discussions about politics and leadership.

I find the engagement with people one of the best elements of Facebook.

5. Facebook Makes Me Laugh

I see jokes, funny videos and discussions on Facebook that bring a smile to my face and even make me laugh out loud!

I think we all benefit from the stress-busting benefits of laughter so anything that makes me laugh is a good thing.

6. Share Resources

Facebook gives me an opportunity to help resource pastors and leaders with interesting articles from various blogs.

Just as I find informative posts on Facebook I try to resource others in the same way.

7. Profile My Blog

When I first wrote this post, Facebook accounted for 79% of my blog traffic from social media channels. That was a snapshot of my traffic at the time, rather than a current benchmark.

The enduring benefit is that a useful article shared on Facebook can introduce someone to resources they might otherwise never discover.

Without Facebook there’d be many people who wouldn’t discover my blog.

8. Paid Advertising

I’ve used Facebook ads to promote our 27 Ways to Grow a Healthy Church seminars and Di’s Conversations With a Pastor’s Wife seminars.

Facebook gives me an opportunity to promote my events in targeted ways.

Facebook ads can be effective but it’s best to get informed before investing your time and money.

Start with Meta’s advertising learning resources. Choose a clear purpose for your ad, such as registrations for a church event, and review the results against that purpose.

9. Facebook Pages

Facebook gives you an option to set up a page for your church or ministry and also groups for your church members.

Your Facebook page (you can check out the Grow a Healthy Church Facebook page here) can be used as a platform for connecting members and informing new people about your church.

Keep your service times, location and contact details easy to find. Help a first-time visitor see what to expect and how to take their next step.

10. Facebook Groups

Facebook gives you an option to set up groups for your church members or departments of your church.

Facebook groups can be public or private. Public group content can be seen by people on or off Facebook; private group content is visible to members. Private groups can also be visible or hidden, which affects whether non-members can find them. Check Facebook’s guidance on finding and joining groups when choosing the settings for your community.

Over the years, our Grow a Healthy Church Facebook group has provided a place for pastors and leaders to connect.

My wife Dianne has also used a group to connect pastors’ wives and women in ministry.

If you’d like to connect with either community, message us through the Grow a Healthy Church page for the current details.

Facebook offers church leaders opportunities to build relationships, share helpful resources and invite people into church life. Make those ministry purposes the focus of your activity.

Put Facebook to Work for Your Ministry

Choose one purpose for your church’s Facebook activity this month. It could be helping newcomers plan a visit, encouraging members to invite a friend or sharing a resource that starts a useful conversation.

Agree who will post and respond to messages, then plan a few posts around that purpose. Include a clear next step and review what happened: conversations, enquiries, visits or registrations. Use what you learn to shape the next month.