On October 28, 2021 the company formerly known as Facebook changed it's name to Meta. This move was a bold statement and ultimately a change in direction for the company. They were not just a company that focused on social media platforms, It indicated that it was going all in on the metaverse (also known as virtual reality) and work to develop that across all their platforms.
It has almost been a year since Facebook officially changed their name and began to focus on the metaverse. So, what has been happening in this space since that announcement and how does it impact your Church? Here are 4 of the latest developments.
1. Oculus is the Primary Headset. On Christmas Day 2021, the Oculus app was the most download app in the Apple App Store. That indicates that a lot of people got VR Headsets for Christmas.
2. Apple is working on 3 VR Headsets. One could be released by the end of the year. Regardless of when the headsets will be released, Apple is aggressively working on AR and VR headsets to enter the space. More info here.
3. There is still confusion about what the Metaverse is. In a recent interview, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said, "I’m really not sure the average person can tell you what the metaverse is,” He followed that up by saying, "It’s something you can really immerse yourself in. And that can be used in a good way."
4. More businesses are entering the Metaverse. Walmart announced recently that it is venturing into the metaverse. They are starting two new worlds designed to reach younger Walmart customers. It will let Roblox players "collect new virtual merchandise, play games featuring toys and characters, earn toys from a blimp, attend live concerts, win fashion competitions and more." Walmart has evaluated and has made a decision that the metaverse is definitely worth investing into.
Conclusion
Almost a year after Meta made big news in their change of focus and the metaverse is still developing. While people are still trying to understand what it looks like and how you can engage with other in it, businesses continue to invest in and explore the possibilities. In the same way, Churches need to do the same. They do not necessarily need to jump in full force right now, but they need to continue to look at it and explore. What step can you take today to start exploring what the metaverse could mean for your Church.
What do you think? What are your thoughts about the metaverse and how Churches should respond? Share your ideas below or on social media.
Through the Digital Church Network we are helping physical and digital churches better understand the discipleship process, and helping churches and church planters understand this and other decentralized mindset shifts. Joining the DCN is free and be encouraged!
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