In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool for churches to connect with their congregation, reach new members, and share important messages. However, managing social media accounts, especially on platforms like Facebook, can be confusing.
A common question we hear is:
“Can we set up all of our church’s social media accounts under one email address?”
The short answer: No, and here’s why.
Facebook’s Unique Setup: Admin Roles, Not Shared Logins
Unlike other platforms where a single email and password can manage an account, Facebook does not allow multiple people to log in with a shared email and password. Instead, Facebook uses personal profiles to manage Pages and Business Accounts.
Here’s how it works:
- A Facebook Page represents your church and is managed by individual Profiles.
- Each admin must be personally added with their own profile.
- Admins can assign different roles (Admin, Editor, Moderator, etc.).
- At any time, an admin can remove themselves or add others to help manage the page.
The Risk of Using a Fake Facebook Profile
Some churches create a fake personal profile using their church’s email address (e.g., mychurch@gmail.com) instead of using individual accounts. While this might seem like a way to centralize access, it’s actually a violation of Facebook’s Terms of Service and can lead to serious consequences:
- If your church’s profile is flagged as fake, it may be disabled permanently.
- If the fake profile is the only admin, your church could lose access to the Page.
- You might not be able to recover your content, followers, or messages.
Facebook detects and removes fake profiles using AI and manual reviews. If flagged, your account may be restricted or permanently disabled without warning.
How to Fix It (Before It’s Too Late!)
If your church currently has a fake profile, here’s what you should do:
1. Log in and add real admins
- Go to your church’s Facebook Page.
- Navigate to Settings → Page Roles.
- Add real people (staff, volunteers, etc.) as Admins.
2. Transfer control & remove the fake account
- Once real admins are added, remove the fake account from admin access.
- The real admins will now have control of the Page.
3. Use Facebook Business Manager (Recommended for larger churches)
- If your church manages multiple Facebook assets (Pages, Ad Accounts, etc.), use Meta Business Suite to organize everything properly.
Best Practices for Church Social Media Management
✔️Use individual accounts to manage the church’s social media.
✔️Assign multiple trusted admins to avoid losing access if someone leaves.
✔️Use Meta Business Suite if your church runs ads or manages multiple accounts.
✔️Never create a fake account - it’s not worth the risk!
Found this article helpful? Follow us on social media for more tips and updates to keep your church’s online presence secure and effective!