Big Tech is Changing the Rules Again
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about social media, it’s that nothing stays the same for too long. Platforms tweak their policies, shift their priorities, and sometimes pull the rug from under those who rely on them, without much warning. The reason why we must take digital ministry seriously.
This time, Facebook has announced a major change that will directly affect churches and ministries that use Facebook Live to stream their services. And let’s be real: this is not just a random update; it’s a sign of why ministries need to start thinking differently about their digital presence.
So, What’s Changing?
Here’s the short version:
- Starting February 19, 2025, all new live videos will automatically disappear after 30 days. No more indefinite storage.
- Past live videos older than 30 days? They’re getting wiped out too.
- Facebook will notify users before deletion and give them 90 days to download their videos.
- They’re offering bulk download tools to make it easier to save content before it’s gone.
- If you need more time, you can postpone deletion for six months, but after that, your old videos will be permanently removed.
That’s the official update. But let’s talk about what it really means.
Why This Matters for Churches & Ministries
For years, churches have relied on Facebook Live to reach their congregation, engage with people online, and store past sermons. But here’s the hard truth:
- Facebook, like all social media platforms, is a business first—it’s not a ministry partner.
- They care about anybody (churches inclusive) only as long as they bring in revenue.
- They can (and will) change policies whenever it suits them.
This new rule is just a glimpse of what’s ahead. Other platforms—yes, even YouTube—could follow suit. And if that happens, churches that have built their entire digital presence on these platforms could lose everything.
What Should Churches Do Now?
This isn’t a call to panic. But it is a wake-up call to start taking digital ownership seriously. Here’s what churches and ministries need to do ASAP:
- Download all past live videos now before they disappear. Use Facebook’s bulk download tool to speed things up.
- Stop relying on social media as your only storage space. Start using cloud storage, hard drives, or private ministry websites to keep content safe.
- Explore other video hosting options. Platforms like Vimeo offer long-term storage, while private church apps or websites give more control.
- Think beyond Facebook & YouTube. Email newsletters, podcasts, and private ministry platforms are becoming more important than ever.
- Start planning strategically to build personalized systems for the Gospel. This isn’t about suddenly having a huge budget or advanced tech—it’s about taking small, intentional steps toward ownership.
- Begin with something as simple as a ministry website. Instead of relying on third-party platforms to reach people, start growing a following on your own digital space.
Final Thoughts: The Time to Act is Now
For too long, the Church has borrowed digital space instead of claiming digital ground. We’ve treated social media as a free tool instead of recognizing that we don’t own these platforms—and at any moment, the rules can change.
This isn’t just about Facebook deleting videos. This is about long-term digital sustainability for ministry.
If ministries don’t take action now, we will see more of these changes disrupt how the Gospel is spread online. We must stop being reactive and start being proactive.
So, here’s the charge: Download your videos, rethink your digital strategy, and start building your own platform. It may not happen overnight, but every step in this direction is a step toward securing the future of digital ministry.
The question isn’t if the Church should adapt. The question is how long will we wait before we do?