Online virtual world Second Life has a new player – the Anglican Church.<\/p>\n
A medieval Anglican cathedral was built in the popular role-playing site five weeks ago and the church started holding services last month.<\/p>\n
The idea is the brainchild of Bible Society NZ chief executive Mark Brown. Brown said Second Life had news channels and universities operating within it, but no church. He saw the venture as an opportunity to reach the virtual world’s 8million strong population.<\/p>\n
The church has over 150 members and holds Sunday services three times during the day to accommodate different time zones.<\/p>\n
“Just a few months ago we had five members and it was just a vision, but it seems to have captured people’s imagination,” he said.<\/p>\n
“People are coming to try it out and we are getting some slow building, within 4 to 6 weeks we will have to turn people away.”<\/p>\n