Three Reasons Pastors Need An Online Presence (And Why Faithly.co Beats LinkedIn)
It goes without saying these days that an online presence is essential, for virtually everyone. Think about it: when was the last time you…
- Interviewed someone without first Googling them?
- Tried a new restaurant without checking Yelp?
- Bought anything online without comparison shopping on Amazon?
As pastors, the vast majority of us understand that this is true for our churches. Even my small community church of just around 100 people has multiple social media channels and a weekly online streaming service.
But What About Individual Pastors?
What about YOU? Is cultivating a digital presence or profile important? Why or why not?
In my role as CEO of Faithly.co, I’ve had conversations with and made observations of many pastors and ministry leaders of all types. I’ve heard a handful of reasons why developing a digital presence isn’t a top priority for some of us:
- For some, it’s a privacy-related issue
- Others don’t want to be seen as self-promotional
- Some don't want to handle the criticism that comes with being a more publically accessible figure.
- Some don’t have the mental space to devote to this
- Many have attempted it but with limited success
Are these reasons valid? Of course.
However, there are real benefits (both to you as a pastor, and to the Kingdom of God in general) to intentionally developing an online presence.
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Three Hard-To-Ignore Benefits Of A Digital Ministry Profile
There are three key benefits, three important reasons why a digital presence is valuable for pastors.
1. Expand the Reach of the Gospel.
Your digital ministry profile is a platform, a mechanism whereby the message of Jesus in you can extend beyond your church walls (via sermons, devotionals, etc.) This helps to further The Great Commission and directly impacts your church’s growth and reach into the community!
2. Increase Your Accessibility.
Your digital ministry profile is a gateway where people can meet and connect with you. They can encounter your heart and passion for God. Not only that but there is a real discipleship opportunity here! This potential is only amplified by the online tools that facilitate building relationships through online groups, direct messaging, and more.
3. Develop a Wider Support Network.
Your digital ministry profile is an online outpost where you can connect with other like-minded church leaders. You can get to know other pastors, learn from one another, share resources and opportunities, and collaborate.
How Do Most Pastors Develop Their Digital Presence?
Many pastors recognize the value that a robust online presence brings to the table, and so they typically utilize three main platforms:
- Personal website
- Social media channels
Here is my analysis of each of these tools:
| Platform | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Website | Great way for pastors to control their digital presence. Provides a central location for their content. But often requires professional help. Also, websites only broadcast info. Not made for two-way communication. | Reach ✅ |
| Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Allows pastors to share updates, engage with their congregation, and reach a wider audience. Drawbacks include potential for distractions and the need for regular content. | Reach + Accessibility ✅ |
| Go-to platform for networking, jobs, and job content. But the audience is primarily secular, which limits its usefulness for ministry. | Limited Networking 😢 |
Personal websites and social channels generally do a decent job of offering pastors the reach and accessibility that can help amplify their ministries. However, that third benefit (a wider support network ) is more elusive.
LinkedIn seems to be the default choice.
This is true for most of those attempting to widen their network, but from what I’ve seen, pastors have mostly eschewed LinkedIn as a connection-building platform.
I experienced this personally. For most of my career, I worked for Goldman Sachs, and LinkedIn was the place where people reached out to me, commented on or shared my posts, and generally felt part of a wider ecosystem.
When I left that career to start Faithly.co, my LinkedIn connection requests dried up, and “likes” on my posts became scant. Maybe there’s an unspoken rule about posting personal content (including matters of faith)?
Alicia Lee
Whatever the reason, LinkedIn is not an effective place to find ministry connections, content, or jobs. As a result, there is a major gap in the way that pastors are building their digital presence.
How Faithly Fills In The Gap
As an elder at my church, it took us two years to find a new lead pastor, and we often struggled with pulpit supply. The networks and opportunities are there—they just need to be connected.
Studies show that pastors often feel lonely and struggle to find the right ministry opportunities. Yet, while building Faithly, I’ve spoken to hundreds of pastors who are eager to connect. That’s where Faithly comes in.
On Faithly, pastors tap into the kind of networking that other professionals have enjoyed online for many years:
- They can connect with other pastors who share their vision
- They can discover new pastor networks
- They can find jobs, guest preaching supply, and other opportunities
Faithly provides practical digital networking tools for pastors, but it goes deeper than that.
When a pastor creates a profile on Faithly, they are saying: "I’ve been called, and I’m not meant to answer that call alone. I’m open to connection, community, and collaboration." It may seem simple, but we believe it can unlock something powerful for the Kingdom!
It’s Easy To Start Building Your Digital Profile On Faithly
Faithly is super user-friendly and requires very little tech expertise to navigate. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Sign Up
Visit www.faithly.co and click on the "Join For Free" button. You can use one-click to join using your Google or LinkedIn accounts. Alternatively, you can enter your name, email address, and create a password.
2. Complete Your Profile
Next, you’ll go to a profile creation page where you can write a brief introduction and add your experiences and education. Upload a profile picture to show you’re open to connecting with others. You can also link to your videos, like sermons and podcasts, to bring your ministry to life.
3. Discover Who’s on Faithly
In our top navigation bar, click “Discover. Here, you’ll find other pastors and churches on Faithly, you can browse ministry job openings, explore our groups, and find upcoming ministry events.
4. Connect with Alicia Lee (that’s me!)
Be sure to send me a connection request when you join Faithly. I’d love to connect with you and find out how we can best serve you and your ministry.
5. Share Your Profile
Using the “Invite Friends” button, invite your network onto Faithly. Encourage them to engage with your content and keep up with your ministry updates.
A Few Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, building a digital ministry profile is not about self-promotion.It's about:
- Expanding the reach of the Gospel
- Increasing your accessibility
- Finding support in a connected world.
Faithly offers pastors a way to step into this space easily, with tools that foster genuine connections and collaboration. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow your ministry online and strengthen your network. Explore Faithly and see for yourself!
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