A Reformed pastor in Switzerland has embraced the digital realm, conducting weekly devotionals within the immersive world of Minecraft. This innovative approach has attracted around 20 participants each session, with nearly half of them having no prior ties to the church.
Building Community in a Virtual Space
Florian Homberger, 43, serves as the pastor of the Protestant parish in Müllheim, located in the canton of Thurgau. His journey into Minecraft began after officiating at the funeral of a parishioner who was an avid player. The strong connections displayed by the deceased’s online gaming community left a profound impact on Homberger, prompting him to explore the game himself.
On his first night in Minecraft, Homberger’s avatar met an unfortunate fate, dying ten times. Undeterred, he persevered and eventually constructed a virtual city named Convento. It wasn’t long before he noticed the presence of churches scattered throughout the game, leading him to ponder the possibility of holding a service in this unique environment.
With over 200 million monthly active users, Minecraft operates as a digital playground where players can create landscapes, buildings, and entire settlements from square blocks. The game has captured the attention of teenagers and young adults, making it a fitting platform for outreach.
After discussing the concept with his confirmation class, the group decided to launch the devotionals in the summer of 2025. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes, initially led by Homberger himself, but now featuring contributions from other members of the gaming community, including some of his four children.
An Interactive Experience
The format of these devotionals is designed to be engaging and interactive. Participants gather in-game objects related to the week’s theme or collaborate on constructing structures that embody biblical texts. For instance, to illustrate the verse “When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,” the group created obstacle courses over pools of lava, employing fire-resistance potions to navigate safely — a metaphorical representation of trust during challenging times.
Light serves as a recurring motif in Homberger’s teachings. In Minecraft, certain creatures can only be subdued using light, a concept he correlates with the biblical significance of light, starting from the creation narrative. The game’s inherent religious architecture, including temples and rituals, provides a rich tapestry for his lessons.
Each session culminates in a gathering where participants form a circle to launch virtual fireworks. Those wishing to pray may do so, sending rockets into the digital sky as a symbolic gesture of prayers ascending to heaven. “The rockets are like prayers rising to heaven,” Homberger shared with the Swiss magazine Beobachter.
Breaking Down Barriers
Homberger believes that this virtual setting dismantles barriers that the traditional church often struggles to overcome. “The traditional church is unfamiliar territory for many people,” he explained. “But Minecraft is their living room, where they feel at home.” He emphasizes that this virtual service is not intended to replace Sunday worship but rather to connect with individuals who might not otherwise attend, especially during significant church holidays.
A reporter from Beobachter, who initially expressed skepticism about a pastor utilizing a video game for outreach, found her perspective transformed after conversing with Homberger. “He meets young people where they feel comfortable,” she noted.
In a bid to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds, Homberger has also set up laptops in the parish hall, allowing young people to log on together. He views Minecraft as a legitimate social space, asserting, “Anyone who claims this is anonymous or superficial has never experienced how intensely connected you can feel.”
