How Churches Should Think About YouTube in 2026 (REACHRIGHT Mailbag)

In this REACHRIGHT Mailbag, we’re unpacking some of the most relevant (and sometimes overlooked) questions churches are asking right now.

From how to get started on YouTube, to whether AI poses a spiritual risk, to what prayer software churches are using in 2026, we’re diving into it all.

Plus, we tackle a simple but surprisingly common question: If you cut down your church announcements on Sunday mornings, how do you get the word out about the rest?

Let’s get into it.

How Should Churches Get Started on YouTube?

One listener asked:
“What are some best practices for churches starting out, wanting to succeed on YouTube?”

There’s never been a better time to start. YouTube is where people go when they’re asking real questions. But if your church only posts full Sunday services with a title like “December 17, 2025,” you’re not going to reach them.

Here’s how to start strong:

1. Lead with short-form content.

Full services are great for your members, but short sermon clips, Q&A videos, or testimony highlights are what attract new people. Post those in addition to your livestreams.

2. Your first 10 seconds matter.

If the video opens with a countdown or a bumper, most people scroll away. Start with a strong quote or a tension-filled question.

3. Thumbnails and titles are everything.

Use high-contrast graphics, big text, and human faces with emotion. Don’t label your sermon “Week 3 – Rooted.” Call it something that gets a click, like “What To Do When God Feels Distant.”

4. Think like a missionary.

This is the real one. Your YouTube isn’t just for your congregation. It’s for the parent searching “how to pray for my kid,” or the teen asking “does God hate me?”

If your church wants to grow online, YouTube is a mission field. Treat it that way.

Could AI Harm Spiritual Connection?

A listener asked:
“Could AI pose a threat to people connecting with God and each other?”

That’s a real concern. And it depends on how we use it.

AI can help churches with sermon prep, admin tasks, outreach, and organization. But the danger comes when churches start letting AI replace things only people can do.

Prayer. Presence. Discipleship. Discernment.

AI can help you write an outline. It can’t pray with someone in a hospital room. It can help organize a sermon, but it can’t weep with a member after a funeral.

The line is simple: Use AI for tasks. Rely on the Holy Spirit for truth and transformation.

So no, AI is not automatically harmful. But it can cause damage if churches stop asking the hard questions and start chasing convenience over calling.

What’s the Best Tool for Handling Prayer Requests?

A listener asked:
“What’s the best prayer request software out there right now?”

Here are three solid picks:

1. Churchteams
Ideal for groups and teams. Members can post requests and leaders can track updates and answered prayers.

2. Tithe.ly Prayer Wall
Lets members submit public or private requests. Great for building a visible culture of prayer on your website or app.

3. Subsplash
If your church already uses Subsplash for giving or livestreaming, you may already have access to their built-in prayer request tool.

Whatever you choose, make it simple. The best prayer systems let people submit requests anytime, and help your team follow up like a real person actually read it.

Bonus tip: Add a prayer link to your connect card or website homepage. People are more likely to ask for prayer than register for an event.

A listener wrote in:
“If announcements should be short, how do we tell people about the rest of what’s going on?”

This is one of the most common church communication questions.

You don’t want to overwhelm your service with announcements. But you also don’t want people to miss everything that didn’t get said on stage.

Here’s what works:

1. Centralize everything.
Create one digital space where all events, groups, and opportunities live. Your website. Your app. Even your lobby kiosk. Pick one hub and use it well.

2. Use layers.
Not everything needs to be said from the stage. Use screens, email, texts, social media, and ministry-specific reminders. Let the Sunday announcement hit the highlights, then point people where to find the rest.

3. Announce next steps, not news.
The platform is for action, not information. Announce what people need to do. Sign up. Show up. Join in. Leave the calendar and details for your hub.

People are not ignoring church events. They just need clearer paths to engagement. Don’t give them noise. Give them next steps.

Is the Google Ad Grant Still Worth It?

One listener asked:
“Is the Ad Grant still worth it in 2026, or is it too complicated to be useful?”

The short answer is yes. It’s still one of the best free tools available to churches.

Here’s why:

You still get up to $10,000 in free Google Ads every month
Local search terms like “church near me” still perform extremely well
Ads still appear at the top of results, even above AI-generated answers
Your website can rank in both organic and paid results with the right setup

But here’s the truth. The Ad Grant only works if you know how to use it.

That means having landing pages built for search. Having conversion goals like signups or downloads. And following Google’s changing rules to stay compliant.

If your church tried the Ad Grant in the past and got stuck, it may be time to try again with expert help.

And yes, REACHRIGHT offers full Ad Grant management for churches. You can learn more about that right here.

Tools Don’t Replace Calling

Here’s what we’ve covered in this mailbag:

YouTube works when you treat it like a mission field, not a storage space
AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a substitute for the Holy Spirit
Prayer request systems only help if they make follow-up easier
Your announcements should lead to action, not just awareness
The Ad Grant still works, but you need a strategy
REACHRIGHT helps with all of the above

Technology is changing fast. But the mission of the Church is still the same.

Our job is to make disciples, not just content. We’re called to build community, not just clicks. And we believe the best is still ahead for churches that are willing to adapt without losing their heart.

If you’ve got a question for a future mailbag, drop it in the comments below.

Let’s keep building together.