Is There a Place for Immersion and Imagination in Community?
First…a little background:
I loved Lost. Watched every episode and many of them more than once. Even watched the commercials looking for clues. And I wasn’t alone. Millions watched it with me. Immersed in the story.
In early 2011 Ben Arment recommended a book; The Art of Immersion: How the Digital Generation Is Remaking Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and the Way We Tell Stories. Fascinating. In it, author Frank Rose detailed the rising popularity of the use of games to pull in consumers, immersing them in the story.
Last Monday night, Alcatraz, a new television series produced by J.J. Abrams, debuted on Fox. It was accompanied by an immersive game (LegendsofAlcatraz.com). The Los Angeles Times ran an interesting story about the elaborate alternate reality game that launched as Alcatraz approached its premiere.
So…Now the Question: Is there a place for immersion and imagination in community? Or, even in formation or discipleship? You might think I’m crazy. Maybe I am a sucker for mystery…but I think there might be a way to use imagination, immersion, games and story to engage at crowd’s edge.
Can you see it happening? Why? Or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can click here to jump into the conversation.
What a fresh idea! Love this. Let me know if you come up with something.
Thanks for jumping in here, Mary Beth! Be sure and ask for a passport when you come over for GroupLife Midwest!
I see a lot of the technology that is available today as simple tools. I definately think it is possible and effective. A lot of what pastor Furtick has been able to do at Elevation in Charlotte is a testimony to that. I was looking at the way that he challanges his church goers before they even hit the campus and the way he uses technology to be able to better express what God has put on his heart. (He showed live baptisms during a service recently) I am a youth pastor and I can attest to the hunger that ppl have in their hearts not only to be drawn in and know about Jesus, but they want to be “engaged”. A friend of mine and myself watched Alcatraz and played the game that you spoke of. I think that there is lots of room for the proliferation of the call of Christ in much more modern dynamics than what is out there at the moment. Notice I didnt call for anything to be replaced just added to. There is a whole generation of ppl that are hungry for the Gospel. Why should we, the church, not service there needs because we dont press into new arenas! Any way I can help you , or if you come up with anything Mr. Howell let me know.
Love your spirit Albert! These are interesting times, for sure. Hope you’ll stay plugged in here as we take a look at ways to connect people at the edges.
mark
This is a big one for me at the moment. I have been questioning the use of sermons as effective tools for personal transformation. Great for exhortation but not for ongoing life-change. I used to work in theatre and have been inspired by the ‘secret-cinema’ initiative http://www.secretcinema.org/ to consider how the church I lead might develop ‘creative, immersive learning environments’. Early days. Will keep an eye on you guys with interest.
Thanks for jumping in here Revshlee! And thanks for the link! Very interesting…like the way you’re thinking.
mark