How to Make a Digital Church Bulletin [2026 Guide]
Why make a digital bulletin?
Digital bulletins have become the standard for church communication. Whether you use them alongside print or go fully digital, they solve real problems that paper bulletins can't.
Here's what digital bulletins offer:
- Clickable links to registration forms, giving pages, and event details
- No printing costs or paper waste
- Access for members who can't attend in person
- No length restrictions—include everything without cramming
- Easy updates if something changes last minute
- History of past bulletins members can reference
5 Ways to Create a Digital Bulletin
Each approach has trade-offs. Here's what works, what doesn't, and how to choose.
- 1. Upload a PDF of your print bulletin
- 2. Create a page on your church website
- 3. Use your church app
- 4. Post to social media
- 5. Use a digital bulletin service
1. Upload a PDF of your print bulletin
The simplest approach: save your print bulletin as a PDF, upload it to your website, and share the link. If you're already making a print version, this adds almost no extra work.
- No additional work if you already print
- Consistent with your print design
- Free
- Terrible on phones (pinch and zoom)
- Links aren't clickable
- Members have to know where to find it
2. Create a page on your church website
Build a dedicated bulletin page on your existing website. Update it weekly with announcements, the order of service, and links. Your members may already be visiting your site, so it's one less place to send them.
- Matches your church branding
- Free (if you have a website)
- Clickable links work
- Someone has to update it every week
- Double work if you also print
- No automatic delivery—members must visit
3. Use your church app
If your church already has an app, it probably includes a bulletin or announcements feature. For members who have it installed, finding the bulletin is easy. Some apps can send push notifications when you publish.
- No new tools if you have an app
- Push notifications available
- Clickable links work
- Most members won't install an app
- Apps are expensive to maintain
- Double work if you also print
- Push notification open rates are low (~3-6%)
4. Post to social media
Posting announcements to Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms reaches members where they already spend time. It's good for visibility and shareability, but it's not a replacement for a bulletin.
- Reaches people where they are
- Easy to share with friends
- Free
- Allows comments and interaction
- Algorithm decides who sees it
- Content gets buried quickly
- Character limits on some platforms
- Not everyone follows your account
5. Use a digital bulletin service
A service like bltn lets you create your bulletin once and publish it everywhere—print, digital, email, and text message. Members receive the bulletin directly instead of having to go find it. See how it works.
- Create once, publish everywhere
- Delivered directly via text (98% open rate)
- Clickable links work
- Print and digital from same content
- Monthly subscription cost
- Members need to opt in to receive texts
Which should you choose?
It depends on your church's situation:
- Tight budget, tech-savvy admin: Website page is your best free option
- Already have an app with good adoption: Use what you have
- Want maximum reach with minimum effort: A service like bltn delivers directly to phones
- Just need something quick: PDF upload works in a pinch
The best digital bulletin is the one your members actually see. Pick the approach that fits how your congregation consumes information, not just what's easiest to produce.
Want to try a digital bulletin service? bltn starts at $9/month and includes print templates, digital bulletins, email, and text messaging. See a demo.
