Strengthening Our Communication Using Digital Innovation
The younger generation are asking key questions about digital that the church need to answer.
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Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can either enhance your environment or explore the possibilities of a very different reality. The VR industry is growing fast, it has nearly tripled in the past year. Augmented reality (AR) is where real objects are enhanced by CGI.
In a survey taken in July 2021, 54% of teachers and 41% of parents want an increased presence of VR and AR solutions in the classroom. This may be due to the data released by Lenovo, a company based in Beijing, who found that VR education could help students retain information up to 75% compared with 10% from reading facts. These statistics point towards now being a great opportunity to start investing in AR and VR resources to further connect with the digital generation. It’s clear to see that the benefits of using VR and AR is to bridge the gap between the digital and non-digital generation and help them reconnect to the church. We mustn't forget the importance of digital innovation and reflect back on lessons learnt after a pandemic through using digital innovation as a communicator.
Missional Generation realises that the younger generation are connecting more with their smartphones and are asking the question, how can we and the church play a more active role through them? Missional Generation has created VR and AR resources to inform, expose and help children and young people explore faith, mission and evangelism.
As Christmas is fast approaching we would like to highlight our Gingerbread Advent AR resource that has been designed and written by a young person. The Gingerbread Advent resource can be used in group settings, like during family time or a school or church group, or individually and relates back to the Nativity story through 5 minigames and an additional bonus game.
Missional Generation also has a 12 Revelations of Christmas AR resource available. This resource contains 12 AR stories that follow Mary and Joseph’s journey and encourages you to think on and consider the true meaning behind Christmas. This resource can also be used within a group setting or on an individual basis, though we would encourage it to be used within a group to continue the spark of conversation started through engaging with the resource.
“If the church doesn't move with the technological times we will lose connection and influence with the emerging digital generation, particularly the Alpha Gen and Gen Z.” - Ben Jones, CEO of Missional Gen.
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