Why These Changes Matter for Your Church
Churches across the world rely on Facebook Live, Facebook Groups, and Skype to share sermons, connect with their community, and stay engaged with their members. However, major changes are coming in 2025 that could impact how your Church reaches people online.
If your Church isn’t prepared, you could lose valuable outreach opportunities. Here’s what’s happening—and what you need to do now.
Key Updates Covered in This Post:
✅ Facebook Live will start deleting videos after 30 days
✅ Why full-length sermons are no longer the best way to engage people online
✅ A new Facebook Groups feature that can help your Church grow automatically
✅ Skype is shutting down—what Churches using it for communication should do
1. Facebook Live Videos Will Now Disappear After 30 Days
For years, many Churches have streamed their services on Facebook Live and assumed those videos would always be available. But starting in March 2025, Facebook will automatically delete all live videos after 30 days.
What This Means for Your Church:
❌ If your Church has been relying on Facebook Live as an archive of past services, those videos will be erased.
❌ Years of recorded sermons, testimonies, and special services could be lost unless they are downloaded.
❌ Your Church must take action now to preserve your content.
What Your Church Should Do Now:
✅ Download all your past Facebook Live videos before they are deleted.
✅ Re-upload those videos to YouTube or your Church’s website.
✅ Switch to posting short sermon clips instead of full-length messages.
Facebook’s change makes it clear—Churches cannot rely solely on Facebook for video content. If you want your messages to reach more people and stay available long-term, you need a better strategy.
2. Why Short Sermon Clips Are More Effective Than Full Services
Even before Facebook announced its 30-day deletion policy, Churches were already seeing lower engagement on full-length sermon videos.
The reality is, most people don’t watch hour-long sermons online.
Why Short Sermon Clips Work Better:
📌 People are more likely to engage with short, impactful videos.
📌 Social media platforms prioritize shorter content (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Shorts).
📌 A quick clip from your sermon can reach thousands, instead of just your existing congregation.
How Your Church Can Start Using Sermon Clips:
✅ Choose one key moment from your sermon each week.
✅ Post it as a short clip on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.
✅ Include a call-to-action like “Join us this Sunday!”
The result? More people engaging with your message throughout the week and a higher chance they’ll visit your Church in person.
3. Facebook Groups Just Got a Free Growth Feature
Facebook has launched a brand-new tool designed to help grow your Church’s Facebook Group—for free.
This new feature automatically invites people to join your group, helping your Church connect with more people in your community.
Why This Matters for Your Church:
✅ Works on autopilot—no extra effort needed.
✅ Perfect for outreach-focused groups, not just private member spaces.
✅ Takes only 5-10 minutes to activate—and it’s completely free.
How to Activate This Feature:
1️⃣ Go to your Church’s Facebook Group settings.
2️⃣ Enable the new automatic invite feature.
3️⃣ Watch your group start growing!
Need help setting this up? Message me, and I’ll walk you through it.
4. Skype is Shutting Down – What Churches Need to Know
If your Church has been using Skype to communicate with missionaries, small groups, or ministry teams, Microsoft has announced that Skype will shut down in May 2025.
What Happens Next?
📌 Starting in March, you’ll be able to log into Microsoft Teams with your Skype username and password.
📌 If you use a phone number for Skype, it may not transfer over.
📌 Churches that rely on Skype must transition to a new platform before May.
What Your Church Should Do Now:
✅ Check if your Skype account will transfer properly to Microsoft Teams.
✅ Start testing Microsoft Teams now so your team isn’t scrambling in May.
✅ Consider switching to Zoom, WhatsApp, or Signal for missionary communication.
If your Church relies on Skype, don’t wait until the last minute. Start making the transition now so your communication remains smooth.
Final Thoughts: What Your Church Must Do Now
With so many changes happening, it’s more important than ever for Churches to stay ahead and take action.
📌 Before You Leave, Take These Steps:
✅ 1. Download your Facebook Live videos before they disappear.
✅ 2. Start using short-form sermon clips to reach more people.
✅ 3. Set up the new Facebook Groups growth feature. (Need help? Message me!)
✅ 4. Check your Skype account and transition before the shutdown.
Churches that adapt to these changes now will be better positioned to grow, reach their community, and stay connected.
Need Help? Let’s Connect!
💬 Want guidance on setting up Facebook Groups or transitioning from Skype? Message me: https://m.me/jeremygraywoods.
🎥 Watch my free training on getting 10+ new guests every week: go.faithventuremedia.com/how-to-bring-in-new-guests-to-your-church-webinar-replay
📩 Let’s connect on social media: https://linkedin.com/in/jeremygwoods.
By making these simple adjustments today, your Church will be set up for long-term success in 2025 and beyond.