Whether you’re a new church plant or a decades-old congregation, every church shares a common mission: to reach people with the hope of the Gospel and help them grow in their faith. But how do you make that happen in today’s fast-changing world?

At FaithWorks, we’ve helped churches of all sizes and stages grow stronger in their mission. Over the years, we’ve found that churches who experience sustainable growth have these five key elements in place:

1. God’s Help

Before anything else, we have to acknowledge this truth: growth begins with God.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6

You can have the best plans, teams, and tools in place—but without God’s blessing, it won’t last. Prayerful planning and spiritual discernment must be the foundation of every growth strategy.

2. A Strong Online Presence

Your website and social media are now your digital front door. If people can’t find you online, they may never walk through your physical doors.

Here’s what matters most:

• Active, engaging social media accounts
  
  
• Targeted social media advertising
  
  
• A user-friendly, modern website that reflects your church’s mission and makes it easy to get involved
  
  

People are searching for hope every day—make sure they can find you.

3. Community Outreach & Awareness

It’s not enough to open your doors and hope people show up. Outreach creates opportunities for relationship.

Churches that grow are intentional about:

• Community-focused events
  
  
• Branded signage and print materials
  
  
• Direct mail campaigns
  
  
• Consistent and clear church branding
  
  

The goal? Make your presence known in a way that serves and invites, not just promotes.

4. Intentional Guest Follow-Up

It’s exciting when new faces show up on a Sunday—but what happens next?

A healthy follow-up system should:

• Connect with guests within 24–48 hours
  
  
• Offer clear next steps for engagement
  
  
• Continue communication for second- and third-time guests
  
  
• Help visitors feel seen, valued, and included
  
  

Turning guests into members doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design.

5. Quality, Distraction-Free Streaming

Live streaming is here to stay. Whether you’re reaching homebound members, out-of-state family, or seekers just exploring faith, your online experience matters.

Streaming that helps churches grow includes:

• A private channel for control and consistency
  
  
• High production quality to keep viewers engaged
  
  
• No ads or comment distractions that take away from the message
  
  

Your online worship should reflect the excellence and reverence you bring to your in-person services.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just Strategy—It’s Ministry

Growth isn’t about becoming a “big” church. It’s about being faithful with the people and potential God has given you. And sometimes, you just need the right support to do that well.

At FaithWorks, we specialize in local church growth. From digital strategies to branding and guest follow-up systems, we help churches like yours reach more people and do more ministry—without burning out your staff or your budget.

If you’re ready to take your church growth to the next level, we’d love to help.

Let’s grow together. 
[Schedule a Call] | [Learn More]

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

You post sermon clips. You share upcoming events. You tag your location. So why aren’t more people engaging? Here’s the honest truth: organic social media reach just isn’t enough anymore—especially if you want to grow your church and reach your local community.

That’s where ads come in. And yes—churches should absolutely be using them.

Here’s why:

1. Organic Posts Just Don’t Go Far Enough
   You might have noticed: you post something on Facebook or Instagram, and only a handful of people like or share it. That’s not on you—it’s the algorithm. Platforms prioritize paid content. So while your followers might see your post, your neighbors probably won’t… unless you’re running ads.
2. Ads Build Awareness in Your Community
   You know your church is welcoming, authentic, and full of life. But does your city? Ads help you introduce your church to the people just a few miles away who are looking for hope, community, and purpose—they just don’t know you’re there yet.
3. You Can Target by Radius
   One of the most powerful parts of ads? You can draw a digital circle around your church. That means your ad only shows up for people nearby—not folks hours away who will never visit. That kind of targeting makes every dollar count.

Bonus: You Control the Message

Want to highlight a family event? Easter service? A new sermon series? Ads let you craft the story you want to tell—and deliver it to the exact people who need to hear it.

Running ads isn’t about being flashy—it’s about being faithful with the tools we have to reach people. Social media is today’s public square. And ads? They’re how we raise our voice in the crowd to say: “There’s a place for you here.”

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

If there’s one thing social media users are craving—especially in a world full of filters and highlight reels—it’s realness. The best ads aren’t the most polished or professional-looking. They’re the ones that make people say, “Hey… that looks like me.”

And the research backs it up.

Remember those iconic Dove campaigns? Their studies found that only 2% of women considered themselves beautiful. When Dove started showing real women in their ads—of all shapes, colors, and ages—people connected with it. Why? Because they could finally see themselves.

The same principle applies to your church ads.

Here’s how to make your ads more relatable—and more effective:

1. Keep It Informal
   You don’t need a studio or a script. What you do need is heart. Film casual videos on your phone. Be warm. Be human. Let people see the real people behind your church.
2. Speak to Real-Life Issues
   What are the people in your community struggling with? Parenting stress? Loneliness? Feeling like they’ve drifted from faith? Address those things head-on. Show that your church isn’t just for “Sunday best” people—it’s for real people living real lives.
3. Show Who You’re Trying to Reach
   Trying to reach young families? Feature young families in your videos and photos. Want to reflect a multicultural congregation? Make sure your visuals and voices show that. People should feel like, “They’d get me” when they see your ad.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Personal
   Short testimonies, behind-the-scenes clips, or even a pastor sharing something honest about their own journey—those moments build trust and connection.

Your church doesn’t need to look “perfect” to reach people—it needs to feel real. People are far more likely to show up when they feel seen, understood, and welcomed from the moment they see your ad.

Because at the end of the day, authenticity isn’t just a strategy—it’s part of the Gospel.

Want help creating relatable church ads? That’s what we’re here for. 

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

If you’re running social media ads for your church and wondering why you’re not seeing much engagement—or why your budget disappears too quickly—it might come down to one simple setting: your ad radius.

Here’s why this one small detail makes a huge difference:

1. Keep It Local
   The heart of your ministry is your local community, right? So your ads should reflect that. Setting a tight radius ensures you’re reaching people who are actually close enough to visit your church this Sunday.
2. Size It Based on Your Budget
   Got a smaller ad budget? No problem. Just shrink the radius. The smaller the area you target, the more often people in that zone will see your ad—without burning through your budget too fast.
3. Drop a Pin on Your Church
   When setting your ad, don’t just type in your city—drop a pin directly on your church’s location. This keeps your targeting precise and makes sure your ads are hitting the right neighborhoods and streets nearby.
4. Exclude Current Followers
   If you’re trying to reach new people, make sure to exclude your current Instagram and Facebook followers. They already know about you—this is about reaching the folks who don’t. That one step can make your ad dollars go a lot further.
   
   Your message is powerful, but the right message in the wrong location won’t reach the people who need to hear it. Get strategic with your ad radius, and you’ll see better results, better engagement, and more new faces walking through your doors.

Need help setting up your ads? We’d love to walk you through it!

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

Let’s be real—scrolling is endless, attention spans are short, and your church’s message deserves more than a passing glance. Whether you’re promoting Sunday service, a new sermon series, or a community event, here are five simple ways to create social media ads that actually get noticed (and remembered):

1. Start with a Hook
   Don’t bury the good stuff! Lead with a question, a bold statement, or even a surprising stat. Something like: “Ever feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling?” That’ll stop the scroll and spark curiosity.
2. Keep It Casual
   People connect with people—not polished productions. Use informal video clips shot on your phone. Authentic beats perfect every time. It’s okay if it’s a little shaky; the goal is connection, not cinematic awards.
3. Go Outside
   Natural light is your friend. Film outside when possible—it makes your videos feel fresh and dynamic. Plus, it’s just more visually interesting than a plain office or sanctuary wall.
4. Show Some Local Flavor
   Film in front of a local landmark—a park, a mural, a main street coffee shop. It not only grabs attention but also says, “We’re part of this community, and we’re right here with you.”
5. Add Movement
   Even subtle motion—like walking, hand gestures, or panning the camera—adds energy. Still shots can feel stagnant. Keep the viewer’s eyes engaged with some kind of motion.

Your social media ad doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to feel real, relevant, and rooted in your community. Keep it short, stay authentic, and let your heart for people shine through.

Need help with your church’s social media ads? We’re here to help—drop us a message!

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

What in the world is connected TV (CTV)?  Most likely,  you’ve heard of one of the most popular connected TV devices: Apple TV.  But there are many more that millions of households use to stream all kinds of video content on their smart TV’s and smart phones.  If millions of people are using it, where is the church? I think it is important that the church, which, by the way, has the best message/content on the planet, should be center stage on all of these platforms.  Why all?  Because many of the households will have one or two of the major devices and you want to make sure you are not missing any household in your community.  For example, if a household only has Amazon Fire TV and you choose to only have Roku and Apple TV, then you will be missing a family that needs to hear The Message. 

So why pay for something when there are other platforms like Facebook and YouTube that are free to stream your content?  First, I encourage you to use these free social media platforms to post and boost about your digital video content.  I recommend using “teaser content” or as some might say, “the drip before the drop” content that is only 2-3 minutes or less.  Combining the power of these platforms’ followers, search engines and the ability to boost and target regions and demographics allows you to capture the intended prospects attention and direct them to your CTV apps. 

Once you get your prospects’ attention, then you can drive them to your own private channel free from ads, negative content and distracting video recommendations. This gives a better user experience so the viewer is not easily sidetracked by any other unwanted content. 

Your first priority as a church for streaming is to find a platform that allows your church to have its own private channel that you have full control over.  One option is FaithStream.  

FaithStream helps churches and ministries build and maintain Netflix-caliber connected TV apps on the most popular streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, IOS and Google Play.  You can find more information at www.faithstream.video.

Kent W. Elliott

President and Lead Consultant 

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

Methods of reaching our community has changed over the decades.  As we all know, there is nothing better than reaching those already in our circle of influence we come in contact with on a weekly basis.  This would include coworkers, neighbors, fellow classmates and also hobbies that allow you to interact with others.  This has always been one of the greatest ways to reach those that do not know Jesus.  We could borrow a marketing term and call these “warm leads” that are easier to convert (pun intended). 

But what about the very cold leads?  These are leads that that you have never met, you are not sure if they are even interested and have a very low conversion rate (same pun).  Because of this, you have to use a totally different approach.  The methodology to reach those “cold leads” has to be reaching the thousands, not the handful.  Why is that? Simply put, it is going to take many more leads to convert the few.  In order to do this, you have to have find a solution that is cost effective, so you have a better ROI (another borrowed business secular term).  To get the best return on your investment, you must find a solution to reach the multitude for a great price.

In a recent blog I wrote called, “Reaching Your Community Through Streaming”, I talk about the social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram and the incredible opportunity you have to reach tens of thousands of households and individuals for very little money.  I use them and I recommend you do the same.  Not just posting any content but being intentional about targeting relevant substance (not just upcoming events) that will draw the attention of your city and community you are reaching.  This is very important, and every church should have it in their marketing budget to spend “x” amount of dollars a month on boosting.    Should you stop with just social media?  As the infomercial guy says, “wait, there’s more!”. 

Have you ever heard of Connected TV devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV?  These devices are known in the technical term as OTT (over the top), however, in simpler terms, they are streaming devices that easily connect to your home TV or are built into your Smart TV.  These devices allow you to develop and launch apps that you can stream your church’s video content on.  I cannot express how important this is for the church as a tool of evangelism. Many people may never enter the doors of your church until they experience a service online.  When they are able to come to your service digitally first, there is a higher possibility that they will visit you in person.  Think about it this way, they may never hear the message of the Gospel if we do not penetrate the walls of their homes through these connected TV apps.

Your first priority as a church for streaming is to find a platform that allows your church to have its own private channel that you have full control over.  One option is FaithStream.  FaithStream helps churches and ministries build and maintain Netflix-caliber connected TV apps on the most popular streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, IOS and Google Play.  You can find more information at www.faithstream.video.

Kent W. Elliott

President and Lead Consultant 

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

One trend we’ve seen this year is many churches using streaming as a response to the current events we’ve encountered in 2020.  Unfortunately, most churches did not see the importance of investing funds pre-Covid-19 in the space of streaming.  This resulted in a lot of scrambling for hardware and software without any budgets for streaming and churches putting something together so their church members could not miss church. Now that we are months into this pandemic that we thought would be over by now, we are still seeing cases spiking in certain regions.  Now what do we do?  How should we respond as a church when it comes to streaming?

First and foremost, we need a long-term plan.  We must think BIG picture and not just, “we need to try to survive during this season”.  Like it or not, the need for streaming is not going away, but it is the future of the church in how we reach, communicate and connect to our congregations and our communities.  I am not just talking about posting sermons and worship. But also streaming relevant content that connects with people that do not attend your church.  For example, stories of lives being changed and how your church is making a difference in your communities is key.  This might be showing a recap video of a backpack give back program or showing how a family’s marriage was not only saved but flourished because of the church.

Finding the right platform is also critical for the destiny of your content.   What do I mean by that?  When you use a public platform (or free platform) you are subject to that platform’s environment.  In other words, the quality of your streaming content could be easily limited because of network congestion or third-party advertisements. 

Your first priority as a church for streaming is to find a platform that allows your church to have its own private channel that you have full control over.  One option is FaithStream.  FaithStream helps churches and ministries build and maintain Netflix-caliber connected TV apps on the most popular streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, IOS and Google Play.  You can find more information at www.faithstream.video.

Kent W. Elliott

President and Lead Consultant 

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

What is the future of reaching our communities as a church? How do we reach the most homes at the best cost per household? Many churches have already left the traditional direct mail marketing approach.  Direct mail marketing still works when targeting small number of households in a targeted area (close to the church) through Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) by USPS. This is a great idea for special events like block parties. But it is not the most cost-efficient way to reach your whole city/town.

So, what is the answer?  Simply put, digital marketing.  Many churches have jumped on the bandwagon of using social media like Facebook and Instagram to boost content for special events and beginning to realize the importance of engaging “socially” with relevant conversations.  You can reach tens of thousands of people with very little cost per household using targeted demographics.  If you are a church and are not using this method, START NOW.  If you are a church and this is something you are already doing, don’t stop.  Matter of fact you should increase your budget to do more.  Don’t just use “seasonal” digital marketing.  Make this part of your monthly marketing plan.

Streaming should be part of your overall digital marketing plan as a church.  One strategy for using social media is to drive people to your digital private channel across all Connected TV (CTV) platforms to be able to view your video on demand (VOD).  The message of the Gospel can reach homes of people that may otherwise never hear it.  Times are changing and so is how we reach every house that God has called us to reach.  Most people feel more comfortable first experiencing a service online through streaming before they walk through the doors of your church. 

Your first priority as a church for streaming is to find a platform that allows your church to have its own private channel that you have full control over.  One option is FaithStream.  FaithStream helps churches and ministries build and maintain Netflix caliber connected TV apps on the most popular streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, IOS and Google Play.  You can find more information at www.faithstream.video.

Kent W. Elliott

President and Lead Consultant 

FaithWorks Image Consulting 

www.faithworskimage.com

What makes a good website checklist?

How Does My Website Measure Up?

This year we are celebrating 15 years in the faith-based marketing space! Wooo-hoo! Our motto around Faithworks is to always put a high value on creating the right brand for your church, non-profit or business. This isn’t just our mission statement on our website, but rather the lens we look through while working on every client project. I know first hand the end result, products and services we give our clients isn’t something that they can get on these cheap, quick project based websites. We spend time getting to know the true heartbeat of our clients so we can give them the best quality representation of their brand. All while getting your project completed on tight deadlines!

We believe this high-quality standard is the same in the digital marketing space. Your website should be the hub that all your digital marketing strategies are connected back to. We have put together a winning website checklist that meets our highest quality standard.

My website has….

• A unique look and feel that is the best representation of your mission as a brand online.
• An attractive mobile responsive website that looks good on any device.
• Monthly traffic analytics installed to track what pages your visitors are looking at on your site
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO). – This helps to get more of your target audience to your site, organically. And to rank on the first page of Google for your unique keywords.
• A Content Management Solution (WordPress) – This allows website owners to make content updates without having to pay a web designer to do minor weekly/monthly content updates.
• The most up to date website software and is running the latest version of PHP on the web server.
• Website security protection on the backend to help prevent hackers and spammers from getting into your site.
• An SSL certificate installed so your site is secure and won’t be a reason some browsers hide my site.
• A daily backup plan so you won’t lose your website, in the event of hackers or server issues.
• A high website grade overall, including performance, SEO, security. This tremendously helps your Google rankings.

As you can see there is much more that goes into web design and digital marketing experience as a whole than just a great design. We want happy clients that want to stay with us as we provide the best digital design services! Contact us, if you want us to get your site up to the highest standard of performance, SEO and design!