Virtual reality, which can easily allow churches to have global
presence and foster diversity and inclusiveness, is far more enabling
than live-streaming, which numerous megachurches are currently using to
conduct multi-site worship services.
So are we going to see a rise of VR churches in the near future as the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible?
"Attend a real church in virtual reality," says the website of a VR church established by Los Angeles, California-based Pastor D.J. Soto and whose mission is "to explore and communicate God through virtual reality, augmented reality, and next generation technologies."
The pastor who says he has a burden to reach out to people in unusual places spoke about his vision with pastors and church planters, he realized that Christian ministers are not quite ready to try out this new technology.
Wired author Kristen French identifies herself as an atheist but likes the idea of VR churches.
"I stopped going to church at the age of 13," she writes. "But as someone who remains curious about religion, I am, in some ways, Soto's target audience. When I attended a recent service in virtual reality, I was struck by how welcoming and informal it felt.
"To me, church meant the hushed tones, muted colors, and high tight collars of Sunday best in my youth. Here, the avatars of parishioners—sleek chiseled robots and blocky cartoon humans—came and went throughout the service. Many huddled into the pews, laid out in orderly rows. Others spilled out onto a red carpet that stretched to a small stage in front. The music was thumping."
Some Christian ministers share Soto's belief in this technology, but are treading with more caution.
Concerning the advantage of having a VR church, someone wrote, "The main impact that VR is going to have on the global church is that it is going to, one-day, enable Christians to easily gather from a variety of places without being in the same physical location.
"This will enable persons who are homebound, sick, caregivers, without transportation, on vacation, or severely disabled to participate in worship with the larger community of faith without needing to leave the place where they are physically residing."
Christian post
*We should really tread with caution with this virtual reality thing so it doesn't take over the real church assembly which the Bible says is necessary for fellowship. You are able to relate physically with other Christians so you can share and encourage one another.
That's why the Bible tells us not to forsake the gathering of the brethren.
So are we going to see a rise of VR churches in the near future as the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible?
"Attend a real church in virtual reality," says the website of a VR church established by Los Angeles, California-based Pastor D.J. Soto and whose mission is "to explore and communicate God through virtual reality, augmented reality, and next generation technologies."
The pastor who says he has a burden to reach out to people in unusual places spoke about his vision with pastors and church planters, he realized that Christian ministers are not quite ready to try out this new technology.
Wired author Kristen French identifies herself as an atheist but likes the idea of VR churches.
"I stopped going to church at the age of 13," she writes. "But as someone who remains curious about religion, I am, in some ways, Soto's target audience. When I attended a recent service in virtual reality, I was struck by how welcoming and informal it felt.
"To me, church meant the hushed tones, muted colors, and high tight collars of Sunday best in my youth. Here, the avatars of parishioners—sleek chiseled robots and blocky cartoon humans—came and went throughout the service. Many huddled into the pews, laid out in orderly rows. Others spilled out onto a red carpet that stretched to a small stage in front. The music was thumping."
Some Christian ministers share Soto's belief in this technology, but are treading with more caution.
Concerning the advantage of having a VR church, someone wrote, "The main impact that VR is going to have on the global church is that it is going to, one-day, enable Christians to easily gather from a variety of places without being in the same physical location.
"This will enable persons who are homebound, sick, caregivers, without transportation, on vacation, or severely disabled to participate in worship with the larger community of faith without needing to leave the place where they are physically residing."
Christian post
*We should really tread with caution with this virtual reality thing so it doesn't take over the real church assembly which the Bible says is necessary for fellowship. You are able to relate physically with other Christians so you can share and encourage one another.
That's why the Bible tells us not to forsake the gathering of the brethren.
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