Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, religious communities have embraced innovative technologies to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research’s new study, “Exploring The Pandemic Impact on Congregations,” highlights the significant shift in attitudes towards technology within religious congregations. The study mentions Sunshine Cathedral of Fort Lauderdale for harnessing technology to ensure its survival in the ever-evolving landscape of religious communities. Located, as Hartford reports, in the “gayest place on Earth,” the congregation initially started with a basic one-camera setup for streaming services. Now, they boast professional broadcasts accessible on various platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and ROKU, enhancing accessibility and engagement for members tuning in from home. I am quoted in the report on the congregation’s technological improvement saying, “It’s kind of like watching the original Star Trek, compared to the latest Star Trek.” With a professional broadcast team of the Happening Out Television Network as a partner, Sunshine Cathedral now attracts hundreds of thousands of views across multiple platforms. EPIC research underscores Sunshine Cathedral’s distinctiveness among similar congregations. While most (56%) rely on a single streaming platform, 13% utilize three or more, mirroring Sunshine Cathedral’s approach to reaching a broader audience seeking a welcoming environment beyond Fort Lauderdale.
