This is a Guest Post by Andrew Mason.
This probably isn’t a new concept. You may have heard people throw around the term “holographic church” (Usually in a sarcastic tone as the next logical step for satellite & web campuses). Call me crazy, but I believe it’s just a matter of time before we see our first 3D church venue. And honestly? I can’t wait.
Streaming web video quality is getting better. Technology is getting cheaper. Is it really so hard to imagine a day where two HD cameras capture a live event in three dimensions? Anyone with the right equipment could replicate an entire 3-Dimensional stage, worship band, and speaker without losing anything in the shared experience. What would that be like? Would it even be useful? I love the possibilities that this concept brings.
All of this is just my opinion, so please feel free to call me “crazy” and move on with life. But I think the success of any venue outside of a live environment (ie. Web, podcast, satellite, etc.) depends on the quality of the technology being used to replicate it, and the suspension of disbelief that occurs when the tech is being used effectively. The reason most folks slam the concept of satellite campuses is that they “want a flesh-and-blood person on the stage”. That argument insinuates that either “I can’t learn from someone who isn’t actually in the room”, or “I can’t get over the fact that I’m watching a screen.” But most of these same people will watch an emotionally engaging movie in a theater, laugh & cry with it, and forget that they’re one of 300 people in a room staring at a wall.
That being said, imagine the possibilities! The majority of satellite campuses I’ve seen only replicate their speaker via video, with all other elements occuring live. However, with a 3-Dimensional venue, the worship band could also be replicated effectively. In three dimensions, it’s easier for people forget that they’re watching a screen. Forgetting the tech involved is one less barrier to people believing Christ. Just as watching television is more demonstrative than reading, I believe that the third dimension will add yet another layer to the immersion.
Over the past year, after seeing U23D at the IMAX theater, Monsters vs. Aliens & UP in 3D, and Johny Lee’s amazing 3D LCD demonstration using only a Nintendo Wii, I’m fully convinced that this concept will not only work, it’s coming…as soon as the tech catches up.
Again, technology is only a tool. Just like any tool, it can be leveraged, abused, mishandled, or neglected. And tools are meant to support meaningful work. They aren’t the tasks themselves. A web campus, church building, podcast, or 3D Venue isn’t a church any more than a drill is a dentist. They’re all tools to support the main task at hand: Connecting people with their Creator through Jesus, and sharing the message of His love with each other.
chrishill says
Yeah right, and next we'll see video ads in magazines…psh…wait….wha?? http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10313064-93.html
stephenbateman says
nice link.
Phillip Gibb says
whaoooh that would be seriously awesome. Like the Jonas Brothers?
Live would be extreme beyond belief.
If only we could get away from Stereoscopic and the need for glasses.
Jason Kirkland says
I think this is a great idea but is hard to replicate. For instance, a church of around 800 people wants to create campuses in rural towns nearby. This church is also in a rural location but just does not have the capitol to invest in the technology. How can a small/rural church capitalize on a technology like this? Maybe not the 3-Dimensional aspect but streaming a good product.
Cliff says
I'm excited about the possibilities that technology can bring to ministry. I would hope that 3D technology could take us beyond just seeing preacher and the worship team. It would be great if the technology could really be used to take us to another place. Imagine the 3D experience of being on Mt. Calvary while the preacher is talking about the crucifixion. That would be a powerful experience.
Tom says
While they're improving the 3D technology, why not improve the eye-wear, as well? Few things are as lame as goofy looking plastic glasses that sit all lopsided on our face.
Name:Youngdesign says
They are already well into the research of 3D screens too! Which may ultimately remove the need for the dorky glasses.
However I think there is another technology arriving first… Which could redefine how a speaker illustrates a message: Touch Surfaces & Augmented Reality. Would love to hear your thoughts on the potential for these tchnologies!
Bring on the Tech Church!
stephenbateman says
I agree that video teachers will soon go 3-D. I've been waffling for months about whether or not something is lost in transmission via video.
For clarity, I'm not wondering if video *works*, as I'm quite sure it does, I'm just wondering if it is the most effective…
@nilssmith says
While I'd really like to see this, it just sounds a little hokey. I'm sure that it's part of the future and just a the multi-campus video-site or internet campus might have seemed hokey a couple of years ago this will be the same. It makes me think about the robot animals that sing and play instruments at Chucky Cheese. Who knows maybe we'll have them at kids church?
Eric Granata says
“…the success of any venue outside of a live environment depends on the quality of the technology being used to replicate it, and the suspension of disbelief that occurs when the tech is being used effectively.”
Sage. Thank you for the insight.