Comments on: Why Second Life? (Part 1)

By: Video Game Developer… Nobel Prize Winner?

Video Game Developer… Nobel Prize Winner? — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:28:30 +0000

[...] reality gaming in everyday life. For example, I am intrigued by LifeChurch.tv, and its efforts to plant a church in the virtual community of SecondLife. I spoke with Terry Storch at the GodBit dinner while I was at SXSW, and he reported that the [...]

By: LayGuy Eye | August 4, 2007 at layguy.com

LayGuy Eye | August 4, 2007 at layguy.com — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:24:08 +0000

[...] In a completely different world, the guys at LifeChurch.tv are an innovative bunch indeed. Bobby Gruenewald, (Innovation Leader) is already notorious for opening up a Campus on virtual reality world Second Life. Don’t know what it’s all about? Check out the Wikipadia entry here and follow through his reasoning here and here. His next venture is on flavor of the month social networking mega tool, Facebook. [...]

By: Lalskii

Lalskii — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:32:32 +0000

Great idea! Hope it works as you desired. May the Lord take hold of it all and use it to accomplish His eternal purposes. Keep your intention pure and pleasing to God and He will take care of the rest. Always, always, be willing to change when God points toward another direction. God Bless!
Lalskii

By: Suraj

Suraj — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:24:07 +0000

Hi guys,

I’ve been into gaming ministry for a while now. There’s many Christian teams(called “clans”) online, and it revolves around developing a community in online games like Halo, Call of Duty 2 etc., and doing ministry using tools like ventrilo which let you talk to your team members online.

I started my own Christian Team, Jesus Lives a year ago, and we have had online discipleships, and lots more. You can check it out @ http://www.teamjl.net - We’ve had online discipleship which went really well, and an event at the end of December for which we had around 80 people in and out - http://stage6.divx.com/Dec-25-0-AD

There are some huge Christian communities such as http://www.menofgod.us and http://www.christiancs.com

I really like this initiative, and hope that everything goes well =]

God Bless ‘_^

-Suraj/String

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:00:28 +0000

The guys at XXX Church have a presence on our island “Experience Island”. At this point…they have videos that talk about masturbation and pornography as well as links out to their website where they have additional content. It is really just a start on their part…I am sure it will expand over time.

By: bg

bg — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:41:20 +0000

Bobby,
Regarding Ryan’s post, don’t the guys at XXX Church have a presence on Second Life? If so, can you shed some light on what they’re doing to make an impanct there. Thanks.

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:09:14 +0000

Ryan,

I appreciate feedback and the concern is definitely understandable. So hear my response simply as transparent view of my thinking.

Here is the way I process the issue:

The temptation that Second Life offers in regard to sex is not unique in it’s accessibility. It is just as accessible on the Internet and in so many places in real life. This blog you are reading is pretty much just as close to pornography as our island is in Second Life. I could post a link here and you would be “teleported” (just like in SL) to another site on the Internet that has porn. You happen to trust this site and know it is a safe place.

Anonymity is even more of an issue on the 2-D Internet because a person doesn’t even have to be identified as an avatar or even with a username…they can be completely unknown to other people.

I have been a Second Life resident since 2005 and have not had any trouble at all navigating to appropriate areas and avoiding those that are not…Second Life actually allows you to not display areas that are designated as “mature” by default. It doesn’t mean that it is not possible to find adult content..it is. I’m just saying it is possible to not find it if you desire to.

So here is the bottom line from all of that…
If a person wants to find sex in the metaverse or on the Internet…they will find it. If what you said is true..that sex wins every time in this environment…I would not sign up for Second Life…it would not be wise.

I pray that no one falls into sin of any type as a result of our efforts to reach the lost. I also know that if we are going to reach the sick…we are going to have to get out of our safe environments and put on God’s armor and do it!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:03:04 +0000

I like the concept, but I have a question. Do you think you may be leading more people into sin by asking people to join due to the explicitly sexual nature of Second Life itself? I think it’s great to reach out to unchurched and there definitely are many in the virtual world, however I know that if I joined Second Life with the excuse that I wanted to check out your virtual campus I would soon be tempted to try “virtual sex” whether that was my original intention or not simply because it is right there with the church and so easy to access anonymously. Every man I know is tempted sexually and if it is as easy to partake in pornography as a click from behind my computer screen I’m going to do it. That said I am sure you have inadvertently allowed real life church members to join Second Life on the premise of virtual church but ending up getting into porn. I love the concept, but the bottom line is I can access LiveChurch.tv’s virtual campus in the same click I can access Second Life’s virtual sex, and behind a screen, fake avatar, and without accountability sex wins every time.

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:11:22 +0000

Looking forward to Easter weekend, Bobby. Campus looks GREAT.

Rick
aka Brok Klamath

By: Steven N.

Steven N. — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:11:05 +0000

I agree, I think it does have its dangers as does anything else, however I personally have encountered many non-believers already on there (most from Europe) and have shared personal conversations with them about Christ. Many have said they are hungry for Christ, but probably would never attend a traditional church in RL. This is so true depending on a countries culture, laws, etc. Especially in parts of the world where Christians are under true persecution.

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:10:16 +0000

Scott,

WoW is hugely popular and certainly an online community, but it is far more restrictive in the types of activities that we could do as church.

That is the main reason why we did not use it.

By: Why Second Life? (Part 2) at LifeChurch.tv : swerve

Why Second Life? (Part 2) at LifeChurch.tv : swerve — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:06:24 +0000

[...] This is a continuation of my previous post on why we have built and island in Second Life and to also answer some questions about what Second Life is. [...]

By: Scott \B

Scott \B — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:02:21 +0000

I guess my question is why Second Life and not another game like WoW. Online games can be a real addiction, and can suck you in as quick as any drug. I just want you to know though I think that it’s an amazing idea who’s time has come.

By: Steve Waite

Steve Waite — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:12:21 +0000

Bobby:
I’ve had some tremendous spiritual encounters on Second Life on the LC.tv campus. I’ve prayed for and with other people and had several opportunities to discuss Jesus with non-believers. I think SL is a tremendous way to further the reach of LifeChurch.tv and I’m excited about the direction the church is heading in.

Keep up the fantastic work!

Agape,
steve

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:47:53 +0000

This is pretty awesome. It’s clearly not a waste of time to share Christ with anyone. I’m curious, though, to know what kind of traffic you’re getting at the campus.

By: Danny

Danny — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:27:46 +0000

When I stumbled on to Second life it was because someone suggested that we ought to take a missions trip in Second Life not knowing what it was about I googled it and found out. I have not been on Second Life a lot, but I have discovered Lifechurch.tv there and love the island.

Love what Lifechurch is doing there keep up the good work.

By: terrystorch.com | beta » Blog Archive » and then there was sound…

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:41:25 +0000

[...] Why Second Life you ask… check this post out from Bobby. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:52:36 +0000

We do accept Linden Dollars. Not quite sure on the logistics yet.

By: Jeremy Emberling

Jeremy Emberling — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:22:58 +0000

Love the idea. I think Second Life is somewhat silly, but highly addictive. Do you plan on taking up an offering in Lindon Dollars? :)
- “Nintendoh “Revolution”

By: Brandon Donaldson

Brandon Donaldson — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 03:58:56 +0000

I am excited to see how we use volunteers on this new campus. Real people controlling their avatars showing the love of Christ to other avatars controlled by people who need Jesus. I know it’s new and sounds crazy, but I have a really good feeling :).

If any of you are interested in volunteering at the Second Life campus when we go live, let us know at internetcampus@lifechurch.tv. We can put you on the interested list. Then when we open for ministry we will let you know how you can be a part.

Into the unknown,
Brandon Dagostino
(Brandon Donaldson / Internet Campus Pastor)