If I asked you to list the most important church social media platforms, you’d probably start with the major players: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Threads. These are incredible platforms for community engagement, and it’s no wonder why churches gravitate toward them for digital ministry. ​​

However, there’s yet another powerful social media platform that I recommend adding to your church’s social media roster, and it’s one you may have overlooked in the past: LinkedIn.

More than a Job Posting Site

At first glance, LinkedIn might seem like an odd choice for churches. Many see this social media platform as the digital equivalent of a corporate water cooler—a place for job postings, resume buzzwords, and industry discussions. Over the years, however, LinkedIn has emerged as a hub for meaningful conversations, community building, and branding, making it an incredibly valuable tool for nonprofits and churches. 

According to their website, LinkedIn has over 930 members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. And while many of these members are seeking out professional opportunities, they are also using the space to connect with organizations they admire, share their personal achievements, and keep up with community news. 

LinkedIn and Churches

Given the vast reach and potential of LinkedIn, I find it fascinating that more churches haven't fully embraced this space. Even my own church fails to post consistently, and I’m currently working to change that. 

While I understand it may feel overwhelming to add a new social media platform to the mix, I promise that building up your LinkedIn profile can be less time-consuming than you might think. By repurposing content from other platforms and making use of website copy and sermon notes you already have on hand, you can establish your church on the LinkedIn platform and reach even more people with the message of the gospel. 

Here are a few reasons why I'm a huge advocate for churches leveraging the power of LinkedIn, as well as a few tips for making your LinkedIn presence count!

5 Benefits of LinkedIn for Churches

1. Take Advantage of Organic Reach

We’ve all been there. You spent valuable time editing a Reel about your church, you posted it on Instagram in anticipation of an overwhelmingly positive response, and then…you barely got fifteen likes. This common scenario is the unfortunate downside of posting on a social media platform that is saturated with content and driven by somewhat evasive algorithms. 

Compared to Instagram, however, LinkedIn’s algorithms currently offer a much higher chance for your content to be seen organically (without relying on paid promotions). In fact, 77% of marketers say that LinkedIn produces the best organic results compared to other social media platforms. 

This means that when your church shares a story or an update on LinkedIn, it stands a genuine chance of connecting with both your immediate audience and their extended network. While I don’t recommend replacing your other social media platforms with LinkedIn (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube still take the cake when it comes to church social media content), I do believe that repurposing your content for LinkedIn will help you reach a wider audience and without being roadblocked by sticky algorithms. 

2. Engage With Your Community 

I know your church isn’t just about Sunday services, but does your community know that, too? LinkedIn is an excellent space to both engage with your community and showcase the outreach programs and community events you sponsor. 

There are several ways you can do this. First, advertise for your ministries and events on the platform to recruit volunteers and invite participation from people who may benefit. Next, make sure to post pictures, testimonies, and statistics on your platform to show people how your church is impacting its community. LinkedIn is centered around this kind of promotional content, so don’t be afraid to brag a little – just remember that we are bragging about Jesus’ work, not ours! Your tone and attitude should reflect humility, but you should boldly share what God is doing through your church! 

3. Share Meaningful Content and Start Discussions

Because LinkedIn’s platform is built around discussions, articles, and thought leadership, churches that make use of LinkedIn can position themselves as key contributors to community dialogues. Sharing articles on topics of faith, community outreach, or even social issues can foster meaningful discussions and establish the Church's important role in larger community conversations. 

Not sure where to start? List out your church values, and write a paragraph - or even an entire article - about each one to showcase their importance and bolster your church’s culture. You can also post Sunday’s sermon notes on the following Monday as a way to encourage engagement. Over time, people will begin to comment on and share these posts, creating a platform for post–sermon discussions. 

4. Recruit Volunteers and Highlight Work Culture

LinkedIn’s robust recruitment system isn't just for corporations. Churches can benefit immensely from it, too! Whether you’re on the lookout for a new children’s director, a community outreach manager, or volunteers for your Christmas toy drive,  LinkedIn can connect you with individuals who are both skilled and passionate. 

LinkedIn is also the perfect place to highlight your church’s positive work culture. According to a landmark Glassdoor survey, 77% of adults said they would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job there, and over half of the respondents indicated that company culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction. Do you have a loving, positive work culture at your church? Amazing! Highlight it on your LinkedIn profile by sharing funny videos of your workplace and showcasing positive reviews from your staff. 

5. Collaborate With Other Churches and Organizations

Do you have a heart for unity in the Body of Christ? Do you love to collaborate with other churches, nonprofits, and leaders in your community to bless people and make a difference? The platform's messaging and networking features make it really easy to initiate conversations with fellow church leaders, creating opportunities for mentorship, mutual encouragement, and collective brainstorming. This makes LinkedIn a great place to stay connected with other churches and link up on projects and initiatives.

Tips for Using LinkedIn

Now that you understand the “why” of using LinkedIn for your church, here are a few helpful tips that will help you be efficient and effective. 

1. Repurpose Content‍

If nothing else, I highly recommend you recycle all of the content you have created for Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook to use on your LinkedIn profile. This takes almost no time at all, and it is clearly more effective to have some content than no content! If you have a few extra minutes to spare, consider repurposing that content to be more appropriate for LinkedIn. Rewrite the captions to sound slightly more professional, or create longer articles based on a thought-provoking quote graphic. Just because a piece of content was used on another platform doesn't mean it won't resonate with the LinkedIn audience, as well!

2. Understand the LinkedIn Audience

‍Unlike more casual platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, LinkedIn is tailored toward professional and constructive discussions. This doesn't mean it needs to be stiff and impersonal. Instead, it's a space where users seek out more meaningful, thought-provoking content rather than humor or trends. Aim to post content that educates, inspires, or prompts reflection. As previously mentioned, posts about community engagement, testimonies, and sermon reflections will do great on this platform. 

3. Have Staff and Pastors Share

LinkedIn thrives on personal insights and professional experiences, so this is an excellent platform for you to utilize staff content! Encourage your staff members and pastors to share their perspectives on their personal profiles and tag your church in the process. This will ensure their words show up on your page. Whether it's a pastor discussing a recent sermon series or a staff member sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a church event, these firsthand accounts can foster deep connections and give followers more context for your church. 

4. Post Jobs (And Monitor Applications)

Using LinkedIn as a recruitment tool can be highly effective. Not only does it reach a wide audience of potential candidates, but it also allows you to tap into networks of professionals who might not have considered a role within the church. Importantly, posting is just the first step. Make sure that you actively monitor applications to ensure that people feel seen and valued when they apply to work at your church. 

5. Share the Gospel

‍While LinkedIn is a professional networking site, it's also a platform with a diverse audience seeking growth and knowledge in various forms. Thoughtful articles, testimonies, or even simple messages about the gospel can reach people who might not otherwise engage with spiritual content. At the end of the day, sharing the gospel is what any type of digital church engagement is about!

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