Ian Kirk
Just a pastor navigating the world
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Touchy VR
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I shared this article a number of years ago. Virtual reality objects you can FEEL just like on Star Trek’s holodeck move a step closer thanks to new ‘universal law of touch’ I shared it to a Discord group I’m part of again today. I’ve searched for this article so many times on my…
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Father A.I.
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I’m an advocate of tech (shocking, I know). Yet, I’m wary of how AI has been used. The latest use I’ve run across (even with my better than minimal understanding of the Roman Catholic church) is the former Father Justin (now, “just” Justin). In her article, The real lesson behind the ‘Father Justin’ AI…
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Blinded By What We Know
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Church buildings are still the headquarters of discipleship. More than half of U.S. Christians being discipled say church is the primary place where discipleship happens, emphasizing a need for church spaces that promote such engagement. Christians overwhelmingly favor in-person over online interactions. While not completely opposed to a hybrid approach to church, Christians also feel activities…
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Virtual Downs and Ups
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Shockingly (not really), virtual attendance is down across the church landscape. The biggest change? No COVID restrictions or recommendations. The numbers are still quite startling. Gallup puts the percentage at around 5%. However, I suspect a weird twist in the digital realm, where many say they are not attending church, because they (like so…
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Good vs Better or Best
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One of the recent things that has popped up in my thoughts is good, better, best. As my major context is church life, you can be sure that, of course, that’s what’s going on with me. “Don’t present online if you’re not high quality” (read that as commercial broadcast worthy). Except new attenders are…
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Are THEY Worthy?
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As we discuss church, discipleship, gatherings, small groups, etcetera, and—in particular—the validity (or supposed lack thereof) of digital gatherings in comparison to physical ones…perhaps we ought to ask…are THEY worthy? It’s a provocative question. Who is the “they”? Are they gamers, unchurched, unbelievers, wounded, hurt, ashamed, insulted, assaulted? Are they “worthy”? Are they worthy…
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That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It
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“That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It.” Pastors dread those words. Pastors in their new assignments believe, understandably, that part of the reason that they are there (at their new assignment) is because they are new and will bring the new. As any new pastor quickly learns, however, the new is often only welcome…
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VR Liturgy
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Psalm 29v2 (REB) reads, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; in holy attire worship the LORD.” The REB translates הֲדָרָה as attire, while other translations use splendor. The nuance may be what one means by adornment. In context, the verse is about Heavenly/angelic beings the difference between attire/adornment/splendor may not…
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Online, The Enemy
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“Online church” is not your best life. It’s life-support. It’s better than being totally disconnected, but it’s not as good as being fully connected. We aren’t designed for extended periods away from community. Someone reading this needs to go back to church. If not now, then when? The above was shared by an acquaintance.…
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Moving On and Moving Forward
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\”Forget Going Back to the Office—People Are Just Quitting Instead\” was posted a few days ago in the Wall Street Journal (14 June 2021). It\’s probably my wiring (and focus) to ask, \”what will the church do with this? My expectation? Nothing. A few days ago, Rey De Armes was with Jeff Reed on…
