Virtual reality ministry and church for the VR newbie

Barbara Caneiro of the Accidental Church Communicator introduces us to the possibilities and opportunities of the metaverse and virtual reality church.

What are other possibilities beyond the virtual church service? This episode is an intro to VR, exploring how virtual reality is changing our world and the ways we relate, as well as exploring a few of the pros and cons of VR church. 

Our adjunct professor for this session is Barabara Carneiro. She’s going to share her story of getting into church, getting started in the metaverse and virtual reality, and getting started in virtual reality church.

Barbara Carneiro is a mentor and a communications director as well as the owner of a branding agency for churches and Christian ministries. She founded The Accidental Church Communicator which can be visited at accidentalchurchcommunicator.com. She’s taking part in leading a church communicators conference in February 2023… and it will be a virtual reality conference.

In this episode about church, virtual reality and the metaverse:

(oo:00) Introduction
(01:56) Why “Accidental Church Communicator”?
(05:01) Church and “marketing”
(06:20) Where to begin in exploring virtual reality and the metaverse
(09:17) Why do a conference in the metaverse or virtual reality?
(13:30) Where do churches or faith communities gather in virtual reality?
(19:14) New ways of gathering in virtual reality
(25:48) New opportunities for churches in the metaverse or virtual reality
(30:07) Changing relationships in digital spaces
(32:00) Virtual reality resources for church leaders
(33:50) Information on Barabara Carneiro

Find more resources for your digital ministry toolkit and other episodes at www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is a production of Resource UMC, your online resource for leaders across the United Methodist connection.