Katie Allred Book a call

Church Communications

Should Your Church Advertise? (Yes. Here's How to Start.)

· Updated · by · 2 min read

The billboards and crowds of Times Square at night

Heads up: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through these links costs you nothing extra. Affiliate disclosure

The word “advertising” makes some church leaders uncomfortable. It feels too commercial, too corporate. But here’s the thing: if you want people to know about your church, your events, or the hope you offer — advertising is simply paying to make sure that message gets in front of the right people.

That’s not selling out. That’s stewardship.

Marketing vs. Advertising: What’s the Difference?

People often confuse these two. Marketing is the overall strategy — all the ways you communicate who you are and what you’re about. Advertising is the specific act of paying to place a message in front of an audience. It’s the final P in the classic marketing mix: Promotion.

Your organic social posts are marketing. A Facebook Ad you pay to run is advertising. Both matter. But advertising extends your reach far beyond your existing audience — to people who have never heard of you.

The 7-Step Church Advertising Plan

  1. Define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? Age, location, life stage, interests — the more specific, the better.
  2. Set a goal. Do you want to inform (new church plant), persuade (come to our Easter service), or remind (we have a grief group that meets on Thursdays)?
  3. Set a budget. Start small — even $5/day on Facebook Ads can have meaningful impact if targeted well. Look at what you’ve done before, and decide what you can actually sustain.
  4. Create your content. Tell a story. Show real people, not just a building. Make it clear what you want the viewer to do next.
  5. Choose your medium. For most churches starting out, Facebook Ads are the easiest entry point. They have free learning material (Facebook Blueprint) and a relatively intuitive interface.
  6. Choose your timing. When is your audience most likely to act? Running Easter ads in March is better than the week before Easter.
  7. Track and adjust. Facebook Ads Manager shows you impressions, clicks, and conversions. If an ad isn’t working, fix it or stop it.

What Should You Advertise?

Not everything needs an ad budget, but these are usually worth it:

  • Easter and Christmas services
  • Community events and outreach programs
  • Recovery ministries (Celebrate Recovery, grief groups, divorce care)
  • A new church plant or campus launch
  • A sermon series you’re particularly proud of

Free Advertising Worth Doing First

Before you spend a dollar, make sure you’ve maximized the free options:

  • Update your Google Business Profile with accurate hours, photos, and a response to reviews
  • Submit events to local online community calendars and newspapers
  • Write blog posts answering questions your community is already searching for (this is free SEO)
  • Connect with local bloggers, community Facebook Groups, and Nextdoor

The goal of advertising is simple: help people find the hope your church offers. That’s worth investing in.

📖 This post was inspired by my book Church Communications Methods and Marketing (B&H Academic, 2022). If you found this helpful, the book goes much deeper — grab a copy on Amazon and keep building your communications ministry.