An Invitation to Your Community: Why an Updated Online Presence Still Matters

For many of our churches, keeping up with a website or a social media page can feel like one more task in an already full week. After all, ministry happens when God’s people gather: worship, teaching, prayer, service, fellowship. The real heart of the church is not found online.
But even though ministry is personal and face-to-face, many people in our communities first look for a church through online searches. Before they ever sit in your pew, they may visit your website or Facebook page. They are not looking to be entertained — they are simply looking for an invitation.

When someone searches for your church online, they are usually trying to answer simple questions:

• Is the church active?
• What time is worship?
• Where is it located?
• What do they believe?
• Will I feel welcome there?

If your church’s website or social media page hasn’t been updated in weeks or years, it may send an unintended message: “We may not be open or active.”

Keeping your online information up-to-date doesn’t replace ministry — it simply helps extend an invitation to those who are searching.

Here are a few simple ways to keep your church’s online presence welcoming:

1. Keep Your Service Information Current
   Make sure your worship times, location, and contact information are easy to find and correct.
2. Post Simple Weekly Updates
   A welcome post, a Scripture verse, a photo from a recent event, or an announcement about an upcoming service reminds visitors that your church is alive and active.
3. Assign a Trusted Volunteer
   Choose a member who can consistently post simple updates each week. It doesn’t need to be complicated.
4. Use Real Photos (with Permission)
   Photos of your church family help visitors imagine themselves attending. Fellowship meals, baptisms, worship, and mission projects are all encouraging to see.
5. Pray for Fruitfulness
   Remember: your online presence is not your ministry — it is simply one more tool God can use to bring people to Himself.

At Tar River Baptist Association, we want to encourage churches to think of online tools as extending the invitation. The real ministry begins when they walk through the door.

​As a help to our churches, the TRBA helps to promote your outreach ministry through social media. Below are a couple of guides to help you get started with a simple social media plan.  

TRBA Social Media Starting Guide

TRBA Social Media Volunteer Guide