One of the ways in which a virtual church can be more effective is in the area of helping housebound and disabled people. Housebound people include those with physical, emotional and psychological problems who may venture out of their domiciles on rare occasions. With technology evolving consistently, items such as the currently produced Dream-racer Cap (Illustration 1) could be configured to control computers . Ergo, the possibility arises of a person being able to interact with others via a graphical representation in a three-dimensional Virtual Church environment.
Illustration 1.
The cap works by head movement, however as the designers acknowledge, this technology could also be used in a glove or shoe and therefore enable a semblance of ‘normal’ movement. Similar work and adaptation could be done using the ‘Sony Playstation 3’ and ‘Wii’ handheld controllers, allowing users to control their avatar with the handheld controller. By using these technological garments, housebound and disabled people would be able to participate in a corporate act of worship in a Virtual Church environment. Of course there is no need to limit the application to worship alone with this new found freedom, but to serving the Virtual Church in some capacity such as moderator, administrator or helping to lead worship and prayer times. In doing this, people will develop confidence in them selves, other people and more in a God they desire to serve using their Spiritual gifts which may currently be lying dormant and unused. Instead of feeling neglected, isolated and alone, they may feel wanted, and more importantly, loved by others.There are several foreseeable problems that can be associated with this use. Fiscally, it may be prohibitively expensive to arrange and operate a scheme like this. There is also the requirement of sourcing technical support in the case of hardware and software malfunction. Training issues could also be an issue. However, with God, if He is in it, nothing is impossible. If local church groups, (such as the Local Evangelical Alliance in the Forest), and denominations pooled financial and personnel resources, then this could be achieved. It would signify visually that churches have unity, even without uniformity. It would be the opportunity for traditional churches to work along with Virtual churches to the glory of God.
Appropriate hyperlinks Dream Racer Cap
Does anybody foresee other problems, solutions etc? Thanks brothers and sisters... Blessings...
