What is a Virtual Environment?
Virtual, in computer terms, means ‘simulated’. So, Virtual Church comprises a collection of images that look like three dimensional rooms, containing three dimensional objects. The beauty of a 3D Virtual environment, is that you can move around it. Clicking on various areas will produce different views of the scene (something that you can’t do with a photograph).
Why bother creating a Virtual Environment?
Human Beings are inquisitive, explorative, innovative and inventive. They are capable of interacting on many levels and enjoy mental stimulus. Virtual environments provide the opportunity for an ‘immersive’ experience - removing the potential barriers of buttons and menu structures and allowing the visitor to find meaning in their surrounds and their own perception of it.
So - is this what the Church looks like in real life?
Absolutely not! With a virtual environment we have complete artistic control - and so the rooms that you see are very unlike the real building. However, it’s not meant to be photo gallery (we can do that with real photographs!) - it’s all about the experience.
I don’t get it. What’s the point?
The point is whatever you get from the experience. We don’t expect everyone to enjoy it - but we’d urge you to try it out. For instance, our perception is that the Virtual Prayer Chapel will provide a place of comfort, of focus and reflection. It is somewhere that you can ‘go’ - even in the middle of the night. There is music playing, the lighting is subdued and serene. You can even leave your prayer requests there, and find out the prayers for the day. But, maybe you just like to go there to have a look round - maybe you like the idea of keeping it open on your PC - to feel a connection to church. We don’t have all the answers, but we look forward to hearing yours.
So - what will I find there?
When you enter Virtual Church, you will arrive inside the entrance hall. There’s a staircase and a number of doors leading off. There are no buttons, or instructions. So, just do what you’d do if it was a real building. By the way, you won’t find ‘people’ or characters in the Virtual Environment. It’s not meant to be a game. This is a very personal experience for you - so you are free to explore as you like.
The Rooms
Entrance Hall
Contains doors leading off to other environments
Prayer Chapel (left door)
Go in to the chapel - you start at the door. A click in the centre takes you nearer to the alter. Click the pulpit to stand in the pulpit and look back at the pews. Click the bible to see today's scripture, click the Hymn Board to see todays prayer list - Click the prayer request box to leave a prayer request. Want to leave? Click on the door! You'll have the opportunity to make an offering before you leave, if you so wish. All offerings go to Church Funds.
Pastor Dave’s Office (Top of the Stairs)
Go in to the office - it’s OK, you won’t interrupt a meeting. Go and sit at the desk (click on the chair) in Pastor Dave’s comfortable chair. He’s not around...but there’s a note on the screen. Why not leave him a message? He’ll definitely get to see it (in real life!). Click on the little sticky note and you can see Pastor Dave's thought for the day.
The Library (Second door at top of stairs)
Well - what will we find in here? Books. Lots of books. Roll your mouse around the shelves to see the titles - and if you find a title that interests you, click on it. The book will open and you can Save it to your PC, read it on-screen, or print it out. All of the books are Pastor Dave’s personal selection - there are some very interesting (and old) texts there to explore. There’s also a gramaphone player there. It’s not doing much at the moment - but that’s another project in progress!
The Study (Third door at top of stairs)
OK, this room is just for RBTC students - so you’ll need a key. Want to know what’s there? A desk, books and a computer for them to watch their video training. Want to join RBTC? Contact the Church Office.
The Garden (Ground floor, glazed doors to right of staircase)
The Garden is like no garden you will ever see. It is a place to take in the beauty of plants and flowers and to take time out of your busy day, when you can’t actually get outside. Be sure to explore - Pastor Dave often leaves a book lying around on a bench - see what he’s reading today.
Virtual Church Concept and all Imagery is Strictly Copyright. No unauthorised copying or replication is permitted.
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