21/08/2026
If you’re looking to engage young people online it is important to try and reach them where they already are. TikTok has 1.9 billion monthly users with 66% being between 18 and 34 years old. While it may not be right for all churches and all audiences, if young people are who you are trying to reach, you should consider using TikTok.
About TikTok:
TikTok is a social media platform focused on short form videos. Film a video using the app, or upload a previously taken video or photos, post, and share! All you need is already at your fingertips, a phone with a camera.
With specific “For You Pages” with an algorithm designed to show videos based on your interests, it can be a great way to engage those who are already interested in church. Through the social features of likes, commenting and sharing, it can also be a fantastic way to expand your reach.
TikTok is increasingly the place where young people research topics, explore meaning, identity and community. Why not bring your church into their online world?
What TikTok is (and isn’t) good for:
TikTok is good for:
First impressions/visibility
Relatable or humorous moments
Sharing church life
Short teaching lessons/Explainers
Storytelling
TikTok is not good for:
Deep theological research
Long-form preaching
Replacing in-person community
TikTok works best as the ‘front door’ to your church, not the whole building. It can spark curiosity, start new conversations, and make church feel accessible, pointing towards a deeper engagement.
What kind of content could I make?
Here are some examples of videos you could create:
A welcome to our church video - Introducing yourself and your church.
Testimonials - Clergy, churchwardens, visitors, or groups sharing stories about their experiences. “Why I came to church” or “What surprised me about this church.”
A day in the life - Vlog a day in life of your church, behind the scenes before Sunday services or a POV of what it would look like to come to your church for the first time.
Factual piece – Share interesting facts about your church, or an aspect of your church that makes it unique.
Sharing Worship – If you have a worship band, choir, a key speaker, or something in your worship that makes you proud, film a section and share it with your audience.
Short teaching moments – A video explaining what a Bible verse means, share a story from the Bible or insights from your worship.
TikTok audiences respond to authenticity far more than production quality.
Examples from TikTok:
1. What to expect when attending church for the first time:
@thechurchofengland "Welcome, come on in!" 👋 Thinking of coming to church? Rev Jay Niblett of RiverVale Churches takes you through what you could expect when you arrive. ⛪ Across England and Europe, our church communities are looking forward to welcoming you. Find your nearest service at AChurchNearYou.com. #ACNY #church #christian #faith ♬ original sound - Church Of England
2. Using sounds to engage with trends:
@carshaltonparishchurch This years’s Easter Sunday Gospel is from St John! 🌿✝️🎶💐 #churchofengland #southwarkdiocese #churchtiktok #easter #fyp @Church Of England @Diocese of Southwark ♬ Gnomeo and Juliette - 🧜♀️🅰️💤
3. Sharing stories and testimonials :
@thechurchofengland "You can learn together and grow together." 🌳 Charis and Jonathan of St Wilfrid's Church share how community with others has built up their faith through fun, prayer and sermons. Whether you're new to church or have been going for a long time, we'd love to see you at church this Lent. Find a list of the churches closest to you at AChurchNearYou.com. See you there! 👋 #DrawNear #lent #church #christiantiktok ♬ original sound - Church Of England
Top tips for using TikTok:
Hook viewers in – Fill the first 2–3 seconds with something catchy, music, visuals, or an interesting greeting/phrase.
Keep videos short – Video with a duration of 1 minute or under (unless part of a story or reading) work well at keeping people engaged.
Post consistently – posting frequently can increase the likelihood of your video ending up on someone’s feed.
Reply to comments – interact with positive or curious comments on your videos as it can boost your reach.
Hashtags – Use the caption section to add hashtags. There are over 33.2 million posts under #ChristianTikTok, 54,800 under #Anglican. Hashtags allow those interested in a topic to engage.
Use the resource hub - TikTok has a great sound and music hub with diverse options to choose from. With stickers, filters and graphics, there are many ways to make your videos or images stand out.
Captions – Adding automatic captions is incredibly easy and makes your content accessible for all. Additionally, some users watch without sound on commutes or in quiet places.
TikTok is not essential for every church but for those seeking to connect with young people, it offers a unique opportunity to be present in their everyday lives. At its best, it allows your church not just to broadcast, but to listen, respond, and build relationships in new ways.
