To create a new Facebook Page go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Note: There is a difference between a Facebook Group and a Page. They are very similar, and you can create one of each for your church, nonprofit, or business. You can create different Pages and Groups for youth ministries and other major ministries of your church, like a preschool or bookstore. Also, do not create a personal profile for your church, or set the privacy settings to require people to add you as a friend. This give the impression that you are not inclusive. A Fan Page is the best because people can simply “Fan” your church (become a fan), and you can control what kind of information they can post and where without having admin rights. An example of what not to do: Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
Select what kind of organization you are. There are three options with radial buttons: “Local” – “Brand, Product, or Organization” – “Artist, Band, or Public Figure”. For churches, I recommend you select “Local” and then from the drop down menu select “Religious Center”.
Naming your page. If your church has a name that is popular among other churches I highly recommend naming your church’s Facebook Page something unique, while still remaining something people will associate with your church. If you are the First Church of Your City this is not a bad name. In fact using the name of your city is recommended. This is also a good tip for naming your church’s website.
The most important thing for your Facebook Page is that you publicize it. While you are still on the page, click Edit Page. On the right and down the page you will see a button to create a Fan Box. If your church has a website, you can post this Fan Box there to lead people back to your Facebook Page. Also, you can share the Page on your Facebook profile, as well as invite all of your friends to join it. You can invite people who are your Facebook friends, and by entering their email address if they do not have Facebook. These people will need to create a Facebook account in order to accept your invitation.
Note: If you are the pastor of your church I highly recommend that you use this as an opportunity to include others in ministry opportunities. The best movements (yes your congregation; the Church is a movement) are ones that people grab hold of and share without being told to do so. Include some new people in the communications at your church, and give them a free hand to be creative and utilize Facebook in conjunction with other communications efforts. Always encourage your Facebook team (have several administrators) to be active and engaging the community online.
Post pictures, do a video blog, post events and invite friends and more. Use Facebook to build an online community that serves as an extension of Sundays and mid-week small groups, but also goes the other way to attract people into the flesh and blood community. Most importantly, have fun with Facebook and use it as a tool to increase people’s faith in God and love for one another and you will see changes in the lives of people attending your church.
Some examples of larger churches with Facebook Pages (enter these search phrases in the Facebook search bar):
