Comments on: Second Life Virtual World - Will there be a Virtual Church?

By: Robert Sanders

Robert Sanders — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:52:47 +0000

I found this after setting up an idea of using second life to bring live church services to everyone:
http://www.knology.net/~rsanders

By: Sonja

Sonja — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:18:56 +0000

I’m very dismayed at my Christian friends’ attitudes about SL. They see it as a waste of time at the very least, and at worst, a sinful way to spend your time. I don’t understand why talking to someone in SL is less legitimate, than, say, having a penpal or talking to someone on the phone. Anything can become obsessive. Television isn’t bad, but some things on TV are; the internet isn’t bad, but some things on the internet are, etc. They frown at evangelizing on SL- I repeat: they FROWN AT EVANGELIZING!!!!! Would they not be a missionary in a country that has bad stuff going on?? Would Jesus talk to people on SL?? Would Jesus use the internet, watch TV sometimes or use a telephone? Technology isn’t bad, but it can be used for evil intent.

By: Tony Whittaker

Tony Whittaker — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:05:48 +0000

We’ve done a page on this at Internet Evangelism Day:

Second Life

It is a fascinating issue.

blessings

Tony

By: ebrown

ebrown — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:55:47 +0000

Good discussions. In one “virtual” sense church is wherever two or more are gathered — albeit “gathered” in context of the passage is interesting. However, yes, the online communities, message boards, chats, and rich media experiences (i.e. SL, SoF, WoW, XBox online gaming, etc.) are a form of fellowship but not near as impacting as the life-on-life, face-2-face fellowship that we were created for. Virtual is a step, but toward what? Real life? Hmmm…

Things to ponder,
-ebrown
(a.k.a. WeirdGuy)

Nice blog. Keep it up!

By: Theodore Wright

Theodore Wright — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:52:42 +0000

The dokimos cafe is at the region of Truth where the ALM CyberChruch is. We have friendly open discussions about faith at the cafe. This is definitely about reaching out to others love in building relationships through this virtual media.

Those who are accustomed to evangelizing with less interpersonal cybermethods will learn about this in time. If reaching large numbers is what is desired, the ease of use of Second Life makes this more simple within the suited abilities to advertise and post events.

By: Sam Blowes

Sam Blowes — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:11:37 +0000

LifeChurch.tv has a great church on 2nd life. Check them out at their website.

By: :: Gospelcon 2006 ::

:: Gospelcon 2006 :: — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:23:58 +0000

[...] A number of bloggers have picked up on the idea. The Goodmanson.com blog has some thoughts on the church in Second Life, as does Blog Ministry. On the other hand, the Grace and Truth on the Edge blog points out some of the problems inherent in the idea of a Second Life-based virtual church; the main problem he cites–the disconnect between a “virtual” chuch and the physical, face-to-face nature of Christianity–is one that is familiar to anyone who has worked over the last decade to cultivate Christian communities and virtual churches in chat rooms or online forums. [...]

By: Wes

Wes — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:12:58 +0000

As a Christian who happens to be a 3D artist, I have been prayfully considering using second life as a tool to spread the gospel. We are called to be “wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves”, how is it that the world always beats us to these opportunities?
We are in this world, not of it. That’s how I’m approaching SL.

By: Helena

Helena — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:19:19 +0000

I would actually like to add one thing. I realized today that there is another Christian group in Second Life, called Second Life Christians, that has as much as 537 (!) members. It belongs to the ALM CyberChurch, located at (111, 126, 26), a huge church building on an island named Truth. They have just recently had meetings discussing evangelism in Second Life…

See you there! :-)

By: Helena

Helena — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:19:07 +0000

I’m fairly new in Second Life but can report from there that there are in fact some serious churches already. One of them is called “Christian Church of Second Life”. It has presently 128 members, but the number is increasing very rapidly (since yesterday with 10 members). There is also a special church building in Second Life connected with this group, a fantastic place with a beautiful garden, I truly recommend you going there! The coordinates are (42, 251, 97). This is how the church is presented:

“The Church of Second Life is a community church, classical in our beliefs, but contemporary in style. We base all things on the Bible. We believe that human beings have lost their way and can only find it again with God’s help. Our greatest joy is the discovery that God loves us and has provided us with the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Jesus Christ. God revealed the true path for human beings in His life, teachings, death, and resurrection.”

I have also found several other Christian groups as well as places to get to know more about the Christian faith.

So you don’t need to discuss how and when, it’s alrady there. :-)