Home Outreach Leaders Articles for Outreach & Missions Should Your Church Sell Advertising on its Livestream?

Should Your Church Sell Advertising on its Livestream?

church advertising

A number of pastors have contacted me recently because they’ve been approached by a local business to advertise on their livestream worship service. In some cases, the congregation has business owners who’d like to support the church through their company. In other cases, the COVID church lockdown revealed to marketers a significant audience out there watching church online. As a result, they’re approaching pastors about church advertising on the livestream – but those pastors aren’t sure it’s either appropriate or worth the money.

So I asked a range of highly respected pastors, marketing experts, and other Christian communication professionals what they’d recommend regarding church advertising. While we didn’t find a consensus, we did get a wide range of interesting responses.

Church Advertising – No Shortage of Opinions

– I wouldn’t allow it. The main reason is you don’t know the ethics of that business owner. Second, church is run from the tithes and offerings. Lastly, the singular focus of the online worship experience is the gospel and it tends to be blurred when we make it a profitable broadcast. Also, if that was OK, then why would you not put advertisements in your pre-roll video loop in the worship center? It’s the same concept. Movie theaters do it, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for churches. – Executive director of a national church media ministry

– I think “why not?” I’d be open to it at the beginning or at the end. As long as that company’s leadership aligns with our values. For instance, I would love to be sponsored by an organization like Pray.com or Museum of the Bible. – Pastor

– If it’s a sponsoring company or product with no value conflict (florist, clothing store, etc.) it shouldn’t be a problem. But the slippery slope is when the church starts depending on that money to the point they can’t live without it. Then compromises start to be made. The sponsors may decide the pastor should back away from a Biblical stance, or soften his doctrine. When a church or ministry becomes dependent on the revenue, then the sponsor could become too powerful, and that would never be acceptable. – Christian media producer and former network executive

– We have a local business sponsor our livestream and it offsets our expense. However, we don’t run a video commercial, but put up a “This livestream is sponsored by ____” type graphic at the start of the service like PBS does. We’ve never had any criticism. – Pastor

– I wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole. It feels desperate to me. And some things should remain sacred and a place of worship is that place. – Church marketing director

– I’m not sure. I like it but part of me is hesitant. – Pastor

– I think it’s a very slippery slope. You are bound to get criticism from some people which probably could offset any gains with a decline in giving. Also how do you arbitrate who gets to advertise and who doesn’t? – Church marketing and fundraising consultant

– I think it had better be worth the money! If I did it I would be very intentional about telling the congregation. I’d want them to know that it pays the expense of the livestream, or the church mortgage, or the children’s ministry. – Marketing agency CEO

– I think a graphic on the screen at the end would work. – Church fundraising expert

– I think once you open that door you will struggle to close it. And others will come wanting to also place ads. If you say no to some (who may be members of the congregation), then it can appear to be playing favorites. I think there’s more to be lost than gained. – Church marketing consultant

– Well, churches advertise on other platforms so I’d probably treat it the same way. Does it make sense for them? Are the advertisers part of the church? – Church branding strategist