"Mystery Worshipper" - OMG have you heard of such a thing?

[KitchenWitch]

Our local news has a story about services that churches contract with Mystery Worshipper services to find out what they need to do to retain parishoners.

:wow:

[mcctatas]

1. I could have sooooooooo much fun with that job!

:rofl:

[KitchenWitch]

2. Yeah, kind of what I was thinking!

:rofl:

[XemaSab]

4. "Dude, the pastor is downright STINGY with the wine, yo."

:P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I have never heard of such a thing, my dear KW!

Are these people? I mean, are they individuals who go around anonymously to ask what the parishioners need?

Hmmm...

Something new every day, huh?

:shrug:

:hi:

[KitchenWitch]

5. No, it is more like mystery shopping.

Go to a church service and fill out a survey about the church's signage, how welcoming the church is to newcomers, etc.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Oh, I got it!

That does sound like fun!

Except I don't go to church...

Oh well...

[KitchenWitch]

8. Imagine getting paid to critique churches.

I think I would be found out really fast though.

:evilgrin:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Oh, yes, I think so!

:evilgrin:

[PaddyBlueEyes]

7. chronic and beotches yo....

Know what Im sayin..

[Orrex]

10. I'd say that I'm more of a mystery fan

Agatha Christie's cool and all that, but I can't say that I worship her.

[tjwmason]

11. There is a long-established system on-line

http://www.ship-of-fools.com/mystery/index.html but that's a very tongue in cheek thing.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. The Minneapolis-Star Tribune used to publish reviews of church services

But seriously, an outsider can tell a parish if they're friendly to visitors, if the preacher preaches well, if there is an air of tension in the community, and if the worship service is spiritually fulfilling.

[Bertha Venation]

13. Money grab.

Can't keep money coming in if you don't have butts in the seats. If you can't retain parishoners, look to the pastor. I wouldn't attend a church where I was constantly either outraged by the sermon or nodding off.

[AlCzervik]

14. it's like a secret shopper for God.

[Critters2]

15. Yeah, I know churches that do that. It bugs me, because it makes faith

just one more consumer commodity. The majority are never likely to get it right. Or, as my NT prof used to say, "Remember, 'give us Barabbas' was a majority vote." The church isn't supposed to be popular with consumers.

[KitchenWitch]

17. I had never heard of this before.

I had no idea some churches were doing this.

[Critters2]

23. I get spam from companies who do this. They'll send someone

unbeknownst to us to worship with us. Then they'll either write up an evaluation or meet with the church council to share their impressions.

Over my dead body they'll do it, that is.

[KitchenWitch]

24. ...

Really cheapens the whole thing, doesn't it?

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Sure - just like mystery shoppers, restaurant customers, and so forth.

[Dogtown]

18. Churches are businesses

Modern companies of all types are doing market-research. Does not surprise me that churches are seeking ways to retain customers; the value of their services is not worth what they charge, they have to keep the marks showing up somehow...

[Oeditpus Rex]

19. ...

[jobycom]

20. So, can you, like, recommend alternative gods or activities?

"Shiva might draw a bigger Friday crowd, and have you thought of Saturday evening friction parties to draw from the club scene?"

[baldguy]

21. As if serving God has anything to do with maintaining market share.

[KitchenWitch]

22. Yah, I know

I was part amused and part disgusted by the idea.

[nickgutierrez]

25. That's such a good idea.

Imagine, getting such useful suggestions as, "You know, maybe the second go-around with the collection plate is a bit too much."