Paper Title
AN ENQUIRY ON THE USE, INFLUENCE AND CHALLENGES OF VIRTUAL/HYBRID WORSHIP IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN KENYA
Abstract
Christian worship provides a platform for outreach, fellowship, and discipleship. The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic which limited gathering, introduced innovations and expanded the use of technology in religious assemblies and services and this has continued even in the post-pandemic era. This digital phenomena which has influenced how worship is conducted in many places—virtually and/or hybrid —alsoseems to have impacted the way Christian ministry is accomplished globally. However, opinions and experiences vary on the use, benefits and challenges of virtual/hybrid worship. Thus, this study will examine the degree of usage, influence and challenges of virtual/hybrid worship amongst Seventh-day Adventist (SDAC) worship in Kenya. This study is quantitative and will adopt a descriptive survey design.In conformity with research ethical principles, data shall be collected through the use of questionnaire which shall be distributed via google docs amongst somepriestsand members of SDAC in Kenya. The data collected will be analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Based on the findings from the data that shall be analyzed the study will be able to establish the nature of the usage, influence and challenges. The paper shall conclude with some recommendations that may be relevant to the clergy and members of the church to improve on worship services.
Keywords - COVID-19• Virtual, Hybrid. Worship. Seventh-day Adventist Church. Kenya.