Churches Beware: Facebook’s New Rule Could Wipe Out Your Sermon Library in the Next 90 Days
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Introduction: Your Church’s Facebook Live Videos Are About to Disappear – Here’s How to Stop It
What If Every Sermon Your Church Has Ever Streamed… Vanished Overnight?
Picture this: You wake up one morning, log into Facebook to check your church’s page, and suddenly—you notice something terrifying.
All your past sermons, worship services, and special event videos are GONE. Years of ministry—disappeared without warning.
No archives for shut-ins to watch. No way for new visitors to check out past messages. No sermon library for your church to share the Gospel beyond Sunday morning.
That’s not a hypothetical. It’s happening. Right now.
Facebook Just Announced a Major Change: Live Videos Will Be Deleted After 30 Days
Starting February 19, 2024, Facebook is enforcing a new policy that will automatically delete all Live videos after 30 days. If you rely on Facebook Live to stream your church services, your content is now on a ticking clock.
?? What’s even worse? Older Live videos won’t disappear immediately, but Facebook will give you just 90 days to save them—or they’ll be erased forever.
This is a wake-up call. Churches that don’t act right now will lose years of content, connection, and impact.
But There’s Good News…
This blog post isn’t just about warning you. It’s about equipping you.
? I’m going to show you EXACTLY how to save your videos before it’s too late.
? You’ll get 7 critical steps to future-proof your church’s online presence.
? And by the end, you’ll have a complete plan to keep reaching people—no matter what Facebook does next.
This isn’t just about salvaging past content—it’s about taking control of your church’s digital strategy for the future.
So, let’s dive in before time runs out… because after 30 days, it’s gone.
?? Section 1: What’s Happening? (Breakdown of Facebook’s Change)
?? Facebook’s New Live Video Policy – Effective February 19, 2024
Facebook has just rolled out a massive change that will affect anyone who relies on Facebook Live—churches, businesses, influencers, nonprofits, and content creators alike.
Here’s what’s happening:
?? 1. All new Facebook Live videos will now be automatically deleted after 30 days.
?? 2. Previously streamed Live videos won’t be deleted immediately—but you’ll receive a 90-day warning.
?? 3. Facebook will allow users to extend the deletion deadline for six months.
?? 4. Facebook is pushing users to convert Live videos into Reels.
?? Bottom Line: If you don’t act now, you could lose years of valuable Live video content—whether it’s sermons, business training, interviews, or live events.
?? Why Is Facebook Doing This?
This shift isn’t just about churches—it’s part of Facebook’s larger strategy to reshape how content works on its platform. Here’s why:
?? 1. Facebook Is Going All-In on Short-Form Video (Reels)
?? 2. Cutting Storage and Bandwidth Costs
?? 3. More Focus on Engagement-Driven Content
?? Who Is Affected by This Change?
What This Means for You
If your business, church, or brand depends solely on Facebook Live for video content, this is your wake-up call. You need to take action now.
In the next section, we’ll break down the 7 most critical steps you need to take—starting today—to protect your video content and future-proof your digital presence. ?
?? Section 2: What This Means for Churches & How to Keep Your Sermons Online
Facebook’s decision to delete all Live videos after 30 days is a major shift that affects churches worldwide. If your ministry relies on Facebook Live to share sermons, worship services, and special events, this change means you must take action now to avoid losing your content.
For years, Facebook has been a convenient way for churches to broadcast services to members who can’t attend in person. But with this sudden policy change, churches must now rethink their video strategy to ensure sermons remain available for those who need them most.
Here’s exactly why this matters and what your church must do right now.
?? 1. Your Sermon Library Could Be Wiped Out
Many churches treat Facebook Live as an archive of past sermons—a place where members can rewatch services, and visitors can discover the church.
But now, without action:
?? New sermons will disappear after 30 days.
?? Past sermon videos will be deleted within months unless downloaded and saved elsewhere.
?? Shut-ins, travelers, and members who rely on online access will lose a key resource for spiritual growth.
Churches that have been streaming on Facebook for years could wake up one day to find entire years of ministry gone.
?? 2. Your Online Outreach Will Suffer
Churches have used Facebook Live to reach people beyond the four walls—helping newcomers find their church, sharing the Gospel with online seekers, and keeping members connected.
But with this update:
? Your most powerful digital content (sermons) will no longer be available long-term.
? Visitors who search for past sermons won’t find them.
? Engagement from online viewers may decline as they struggle to find past messages.
If your church has focused only on Facebook for digital ministry, this could mean a huge drop in your ability to reach people.
?? 3. Facebook Is Making the Rules—You’re Just Playing by Them
This change is bigger than just Live videos. It’s a reminder that churches don’t own their content on Facebook—and never have.
?? Facebook can delete, limit, or restrict access to your content anytime.
?? If your church only uses Facebook for online ministry, you’re completely at their mercy.
?? This is a wake-up call to take control of your sermon videos.
Churches must stop relying on Facebook as their only home for sermons. Instead, ministries should shift toward platforms that allow them to fully own and control their content—without worrying about policy changes.
?? What Your Church Must Do NOW to Keep Sermons Online
Facebook’s decision is final—this change is happening whether we like it or not.
But your church is not powerless.
In the next section, we’ll break down the 7 critical steps your church must take right now to: ? Save your past sermons before they’re deleted
? Move to better platforms for long-term sermon storage
? Ensure your members and online audience can still watch your messages anytime
The good news? There are better, more reliable ways to host and share your sermons without fear of losing them.
Let’s dive into exactly how to do that. ?
?? Section 3: 7 Critical Steps Churches Must Take NOW
Facebook isn’t backing down from this decision, which means your church must act immediately to protect your sermon videos and keep reaching people online.
The good news? There’s a clear path forward.
Here are 7 critical steps your church must take right now to ensure your sermons remain accessible—long after Facebook deletes them.
? Step 1: Download Your Existing Facebook Live Videos (Before They’re Gone!)
Start here. If you’ve been streaming services on Facebook Live for months or years, you need to save your videos before Facebook deletes them.
How to Download Your Videos Manually:
1?? Go to your Facebook Page and navigate to Creator Studio or the Video Library.
2?? Find the Live videos you want to save.
3?? Click on the Options (???) button, then select Download Video.
4?? Save them to your computer, external hard drive, or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.).
Bulk Download Option Coming Soon
Facebook has hinted that a bulk download tool will be released soon, making it easier to save multiple videos at once. But don’t wait—download your most important sermons now in case this option takes longer than expected.
? Step 2: Move Your Sermons to a More Permanent Platform
Now that your videos are saved, they need a new home.
?? Best platforms for long-term sermon storage:
? YouTube – Free, searchable, and great for reaching new people.
? Vimeo – No ads, more control, and ideal for embedding on church websites.
? Your Church Website – The best place to fully control your content.
? Podcast Platforms – Convert your sermon audio into a podcast for wider reach.
?? PRO TIP: Upload your videos to multiple platforms to reach the most people. For example, post full-length sermons on YouTube and embed them on your website for easy access.
? Step 3: Set Up an Automated Backup System
Your church should never rely on just one platform to store sermon videos. Automate your backups to ensure every new sermon is safely stored.
How to Automate Your Video Storage:
?? Use a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to auto-save every sermon.
?? Set up a YouTube playlist where every uploaded video is stored in one place.
?? Use a live-streaming tool (like Restream, Ecamm Live, or OBS) to simultaneously stream to multiple platforms (YouTube, Facebook, your website, etc.).
? Step 4: Inform Your Congregation About the Change
If your church members are used to watching past sermons on Facebook, they need to know where to find them now.
How to Get the Word Out:
?? Make a Sunday morning announcement about the switch.
?? Send an email to your church members with new viewing options.
?? Post on social media explaining where past and future sermons will be available.
?? Pin a video to your Facebook page explaining how to find sermons moving forward.
? Step 5: Start Streaming to Multiple Platforms at Once
Facebook isn’t the only place to stream your services—and after this change, your church should never rely on just one platform again.
How to Stream to Multiple Platforms Simultaneously:
? Use Restream.io or StreamYard to broadcast your service to Facebook, YouTube, and your website at the same time.
? If your church has the tech team to handle it, stream directly from a tool like Ecamm Live or OBS to multiple destinations.
?? BONUS: Streaming to YouTube + your website ensures that your sermons stay online permanently, no matter what happens with Facebook.
? Step 6: Embed Sermons on Your Church Website
Your church’s website should be the primary hub for sermon videos, not Facebook.
How to Easily Add Sermons to Your Website:
?? Upload sermons to YouTube or Vimeo and embed the videos on a dedicated “Sermons” page.
?? If you’re using a church website builder (like WordPress, Subsplash, or Tithe.ly), look for a built-in sermon archive feature.
?? Organize sermons by series, date, or pastor so people can easily find past messages.
?? Pro Tip: Having a dedicated sermon page on your website makes it easy for visitors to explore past messages and get connected to your church.
? Step 7: Future-Proof Your Church’s Online Presence
Facebook’s decision to delete Live videos is a reminder that churches should never rely solely on one platform.
Here’s How to Build a Long-Term Digital Strategy:
? Own your content. Always store sermon videos outside of social media platforms.
? Diversify your reach. Stream to multiple platforms instead of just one.
? Build your email list. This ensures direct communication with your congregation.
? Keep your website updated. Make it the go-to place for sermons, events, and online giving.
?? The goal? To create an independent, sustainable digital ministry that isn’t controlled by big tech companies.
?? Section 4: Action Plan – What to Do This Week
You now know why Facebook is deleting Live videos and how to protect your church’s sermons. But knowing isn’t enough—you need a plan.
Time is running out, and the longer you wait, the more likely your sermons will be lost forever.
Here’s your step-by-step action plan for this week to ensure your church’s online ministry continues without interruption.
? Today: Download Your Existing Facebook Live Videos
Before you do anything else, save your past sermons.
How to download your Facebook Live videos manually:
1?? Go to your Facebook Page and click on Meta Business Suite or Creator Studio.
2?? Navigate to the Content Library and select Videos.
3?? Click on a Live video, then select the Options (???) button and choose Download Video.
4?? Save the video to your computer, external hard drive, or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
5?? Repeat for all important sermon videos.
?? Pro Tip: Prioritize your most-viewed, most impactful, and most recent sermons first.
? Estimated time: 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the number of videos.
? Tomorrow: Start Uploading to a Long-Term Platform
Now that your sermons are saved, they need a new home where they won’t be deleted.
Best places to store and share sermons:
? YouTube – Best for discoverability and searchability (people search for sermons daily).
? Vimeo – A great ad-free alternative with high-quality playback.
? Church Website – A must-have for long-term access (embed videos from YouTube or Vimeo).
? Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) – For internal church archives.
? Podcast Platforms – Convert your sermon audio into a podcast for members on the go.
How to upload your videos to YouTube:
1?? Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com).
2?? Click the Create button and select Upload Videos.
3?? Drag and drop your sermon file.
4?? Add a title, description, and relevant keywords (e.g., “Sermon on Faith – [Church Name]”).
5?? Click Publish, then share the link with your congregation.
?? Pro Tip: Create a YouTube playlist labeled “Sermons” so members can easily find past messages.
? Estimated time: 1-3 hours, depending on upload speed and number of videos.
? This Weekend: Inform Your Congregation About the Change
Your members may not realize Facebook is deleting past sermons—so they need to know where to find them now.
How to spread the word effectively:
?? Make a church announcement this Sunday.
?? Send an email blast with instructions on where to watch past sermons.
?? Post a pinned announcement on your Facebook Page.
?? Record a short explainer video and upload it to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sample Sunday Announcement:
"Church family, we want to make sure you never miss a sermon! Facebook is now deleting all Live videos after 30 days, but don’t worry—we’ve made it easy for you to watch past sermons. From now on, you can find all our services on [YouTube, our website, etc.]. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a message!"
?? Pro Tip: Make a simple handout with QR codes linking directly to your new sermon library.
? Estimated time: 30-60 minutes to prepare announcements.
? Next Week: Set Up Multi-Streaming for Future Services
Moving forward, never rely on just one platform again. Instead of streaming only to Facebook, set up multi-streaming to broadcast sermons on multiple platforms at the same time.
How to set up multi-streaming for your church:
? Use Restream.io or StreamYard to stream to Facebook, YouTube, and your website simultaneously.
? If your church uses OBS, Ecamm Live, or vMix, set up multi-streaming within the software.
? Test your audio, video, and internet connection before Sunday to avoid last-minute tech issues.
?? Pro Tip: Many churches use YouTube as their primary streaming platform, then embed the live video on their website and share links on Facebook.
? Estimated time: 2-4 hours for setup and testing.
? Your Church’s 7-Day Survival Plan
?? Day 1: Download your existing Facebook Live videos.
?? Day 2: Upload them to a long-term platform like YouTube or Vimeo.
?? Day 3-4: Organize videos into playlists and embed them on your website.
?? Day 5: Inform your congregation where they can now find sermons.
?? Day 6: Set up a multi-streaming system so future services aren’t lost.
?? Day 7: Test your new streaming setup to ensure everything runs smoothly.
?? Final Call to Action: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
Every day you wait, you’re at risk of losing valuable sermons and online ministry impact. This week is critical.
? Take action now to protect your church’s content.
? Move your sermons to platforms you control.
? Keep reaching people online—no matter what Facebook does next.
Facebook’s rules may change, but your church’s mission doesn’t. Let’s make sure your sermons are never erased. ??
?? BONUS: Free Sermon Video Backup Checklist!
To make this process easier for your church, we’ve created a free checklist to help you download, store, and migrate your sermons safely.
?? Click here to download the checklist → https://guides.faithventuremedia.com/product/p/gryj1yd
?? Final Thoughts: Take Action NOW—Before It’s Too Late!
Facebook’s change is happening—and once your sermons are gone, there’s no getting them back.
But with the right plan, your church can save years of sermons, build a more reliable video strategy, and continue spreading the Gospel online—without interruption.
?? Don’t wait. Start today. Your Church’s digital ministry depends on it.