Worship 2.0 The Issue and Reality of Presence and Virtual Worship

Lecture

Abstract

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, rapid electronic development began to permeate everyday life—and soon made its way into the life of the Church as well. The pandemic era—by necessity—accelerated the advancement of communication tools that proved effective for isolated community life. During the time when churches were closed, online worship services raised numerous theological questions that have remained relevant even after the end of the pandemic. This paper thus deals with the questions of virtual reality, the presence of the church in virtual space, and the presence of human and divine reality. The world, and the church within it, is experiencing a paradigm shift that is unprecedented in history. The opportunities and dangers of this shift are prompting the church to respond to questions about prayer, preaching, and liturgy in virtual space.