Problems with Facebook Pages for Churches

As I wrote a couple weeks ago, Facebook has made some big changes to Facebook Pages that will be a game-change for churches.  Theoretically anyway.

Facebook claims pages function a lot more like personal profiles now. Most importantly status updates, links, pictures and videos posted to an organization’s page are supposed to show up in the new feed of all that organization’s “fans.”  (Ugh! Can’t stand the term “fans.”)

Unfortunately it’s not working out that way for my church’s page.

Last week our senior pastor and our worship leader went to Haiti to visit the church and school we support.  They posted updates about their trip on the church blog.  On several occasions I updated the status on the Cypress Meadows Community Church Facebook page with a link to the latest blog post, but those status updates didn’t show up in the news feed for me or anyone else I asked.

I sent Facebook a message about this yesterday, but haven’t received reply.

Facebook pages also give you the ability to send a message to your organization’s “fans.”  So, this morning I sent a message to the 52 “fans” of my church.  I didn’t receive it and neither has anyone I’ve spoken too.

On the other hand, fans of the new OurChurch.Com Facebook page have been seeing the links to blog articles and announcements we’ve been posting there.

So, I have 2 theories on this.  One possibility is that Facebook doesn’t like churches.  Sounds a bit conspiratorial, but it’s possible.  Facebook says pages for different types of organizaions have different functionality.  The other possibility is that Facebook is having problems transitioning pages that were created before the recent changes.

If it’s the latter, the solution might be to delete the current page and create a new one.

Anyone else have a Facebook page for their church?  Did you create it before or after the recent changes?  Are things posted to the page showing up in “fans” news feeds?

Paul Steinbrueck

Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com

Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.

An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.

Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.