Draft:VR MMO Church
Submission declined on 17 September 2024 by Liance (talk).
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VR MMO Church is a Christian church that was founded in 2016 by DJ Soto and his family. Originally named VR Church, it is recognized as the first church to be established exclusively in virtual reality. Its formation was prompted by Soto's discovery of the metaverse platform AltspaceVR in June 2016. Three days later, he launched the first virtual church service on this platform.
History and Development
[edit]DJ Soto, a former pastor at a multi-site church in Pennsylvania, saw the potential for virtual reality as a space for church services that could engage communities in new ways. Inspired by the use of technology to facilitate spiritual experiences, Soto's vision for VR Church expanded over the years. The church gained attention for its "radically inclusive" mission, aiming to reach individuals who may not typically attend traditional in-person churches, including atheists and agnostics.
The initial success of VR Church in AltspaceVR encouraged the church's growth into other platforms, including Final Fantasy XIV, Rust, and Rec Room. The expansion into these gaming environments prompted a rebranding to VR MMO Church to reflect its presence across multiple massive multiplayer online (MMO) platforms. During its peak on AltspaceVR, VR MMO Church hosted several weekly services and events, gaining a large following before the platform was sunset in 2023.
Structure and Mission
[edit]VR MMO Church emphasizes the belief that virtual spaces can be legitimate venues for worship and community building. Unlike traditional churches, it offers immersive and interactive experiences by leveraging the possibilities of VR technology. Sermons often feature visual elements that enhance biblical narratives, allowing users to "walk" through recreated environments from the scriptures. As DJ Soto describes, the church aims to innovate by creating religious experiences rather than merely replicating physical services in virtual spaces.
Platforms and Current Activity
[edit]As of 2024, VR MMO Church operates on platforms such as VRChat, Rec Room, and Final Fantasy XIV, offering weekly services that are live-streamed to Twitch, with VOD's posted on YouTube. Its earlier presence on Rust concluded after a set period, but the church continues to explore new digital platforms.
The church has played a significant role in encouraging the formation of other virtual congregations, including Cornerstone VR and New Reality Fellowship. Despite facing skepticism from traditional church communities, Soto has emphasized that VR MMO Church's mission is consistent with Christianity's long history of adapting to new forms of media and communication.
Media Coverage and Reception
[edit]The unique nature of VR MMO Church has drawn significant attention from media outlets and religious commentators. DJ Soto has been interviewed about the legitimacy of virtual church gatherings and the future of faith in digital spaces. He has argued that virtual reality is the next step in the evolution of social interaction and community-building, particularly in the context of religious experience. According to Soto, the church has attracted many participants who might not otherwise be able to attend a traditional in-person service, fostering an inclusive digital community.
References
[edit]"DJ Soto: Why Virtual Reality Church Is Just As Legitimate As Gathering in Person" - https://churchleaders.com/podcast/402303-dj-soto-virtual-reality-church-legitimate.html/2
DJ Soto Talks VR Church [Podcast #281] - https://churchm.ag/dj-soto-vr-church/
VR MMO Church - From Metaverse Ministry Network (obsolete archived church wiki) - https://web.archive.org/web/20230326054751/https://www.metaverseministry.net/wiki/VR_MMO_Church
VRchurch.org- https://www.vrchurch.org/
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