Online Outreach: LinkedIn

May 28th, 2025

LinkedIn has been a leading social media platform for more than 20 years, currently with more than one billion users worldwide. While it’s best known as a hub for job seekers, it can also be an effective place for churches to connect with working professionals.

How could a church or ministry effectively use LinkedIn?

Connect with members: Stay in touch with current and potential members by connecting on LinkedIn.
Recruit volunteers: Find skilled and passionate people for events like toy drives or other church needs.
Build relationships: Connect with other churches and organizations.
Promote events: Share information about upcoming activities and events.
Showcase your church: Highlight your church’s positive culture and work.
Learn about members: Gain insights into the skills, interests, and professional developments of your members.
Find inspiration: Discover new ideas and trends from outside the church.
Message: Use LinkedIn to promote your church’s message.

How to get started:

Create an official company page for your church. You will need to have a personal account to create a company page.
Encourage members to add their church affiliation to their personal profiles.
Complete your profile with your skills, experience, education, and certifications.
Add media like videos, presentations, and articles.

If you are already on LinkedIn:

Here are some considerations to maximize your church’s presence on LinkedIn:

Photo by appshunter.io on Unsplash

Make sure the church profile is complete with a clear description of its mission and values. Always include a link to your church’s website. Then begin to post relevant content such as essays, inspirational quotes, scriptures, and short reflections. Offer insights on topics such as leadership, ethics and personal growth, particularly as these concepts relate to faith. For example, a post could read: “As we navigate leadership challenges in the workplace, let’s remember the power of humility and service. #FaithAndLeadership #FaithInWorkplace.”

Ideally, this type of content will generate comments and discussions. It’s important to follow these conversations and respond frequently, to build a reliable connection with users. Be sure to tag others to encourage interaction and foster even more dialogue.

Additionally, you can share success stories that highlight how your church is positively impacting the local community or the broader world.

Emphasize outreach programs, social justice initiatives, or partnerships with other organizations that showcase your church’s influence and commitment to making a difference.
Highlight events and volunteer opportunities to invite interested professionals to get involved. For example, you might post: “Looking for volunteers! Join us this Saturday to serve at our local food pantry. #VolunteerOpportunity #CommunityService.”

LinkedIn is a great place to promote events that would appeal to a professional audience, such as leadership seminars, charity fundraisers, or networking events that focus on faith.

Encourage church members to share these posts within their own communities to expand the reach of your initiatives and attract more participants.

You can even list job and internship openings to attract young professionals and workers who may be interested in ministerial careers.

If your ministry offers mentorship or faith-based career counseling, invite current church members to share their achievements, certifications, and career updates on your LinkedIn page, highlighting the church’s role in supporting these individuals. Personal content about real people brings warmth and relatability to your online presence.

Another dynamic way to use your church’s LinkedIn page is to follow leaders in related fields such as theology, social justice, leadership, and community building. Engage with their posts by commenting and sharing insights that align with your church’s mission. Connect with influencers in the religious or nonprofit space to stay updated on trends, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration.

Don’t overlook the benefits of connecting with other churches, religious organizations, nonprofits, and community groups, too. A neighborly, inclusive approach helps strengthen relationships and expands your church’s impact.

Once you are comfortable with the basics of LinkedIn, there are a couple of other features you may want to utilize:

LinkedIn Articles: This is the place to publish long-form posts. These articles can help position your church as a leader in the faith community and appeal to individuals who are looking for spiritually-minded content.
- Example topics: “The Role of Faith in Building Strong Communities,” “How Churches Can Serve Professionals in the Workplace,” or “Leading with Compassion: Insights from Faith-Based Leadership.”

Professional Groups: Consider creating and joining LinkedIn Groups for specific purposes, such as for church professionals, leaders, or community outreach coordinators. This can foster discussion and collaboration among church staff and like-minded people. Use these groups to exchange ideas, share resources, and connect with others who are passionate about living their faith at work.

By following these practices, churches and ministries can build stronger connections, share their mission, and distinguish themselves online.

Note: LinkedIn is widely regarded as having a more consistently respectful environment as opposed to other social media platforms. Because of the professional atmosphere, users tend to engage thoughtfully, focusing on meaningful content and genuine interactions, which makes this overlooked platform a wonderful place for religious organizations to engage.