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'Secret worshippers' bring marketing to God's house
Church
Written by holmegm   
Monday, 13 October 2008 11:04

From The Arizona Daily Star:

Department stores hire mystery shoppers. Restaurant chains bring in undercover diners to rate their food and service. Churches enlist Thomas Harrison, a former pastor from Tulsa, Okla., and a professional mystery worshipper.   Harrison — a meticulous inspector who often uses the phrase "I was horrified" to register his disapproval of dust bunnies and rude congregants — poses as a first-time churchgoer and covertly evaluates everything from the cleanliness of the bathrooms to the strength of the sermon.

 

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laika  - Creepy   |2008-10-13 12:36:08
the article wrote:
In an increasingly diverse and fluid religious landscape, churches competing for souls are turning to corporate marketing strategies such as focus groups, customer-satisfaction surveys and product giveaways.


i would like one of those Pastor Wezlo bobbleheads that you hear so much about, but beyond that, this article really chills me.
wezlo  - Eh..   |2008-10-15 10:18:55
Ship of Fools has been doing this for years. If anything it can be a helpful mirror for people that helps us say, "Look, this is how we're perceived?"

It's not the end-all/be-all, but I know too many churches that describe themselves as "friendly" that would be shocked to hear that their perceived as miserably standoffish. The idea that there's "professional" group pumping themselves up as experts, however, is pretty bad.

First, we aren't selling a blasted product. I'm fed up with the whole, "Have more items that Wal Mart or you will die" approach to local church ministry.

Second, the whole, "shine up the place nice so they'll stay" mentality inevitably backfires. Eventually people will pull up the paneling and find the mold in the place and will cry, "Foul!"

Third, people who wander in aren't looking for a reason to leave - they're looking for a reason to stay. Even if they are looking for a reason to leave, why one earth would we want to encourage that mentality? How healthy is that? If, as I say, people are looking for a reason to stay - how about we try to embody Jesus to them? Now, this should certainly include a generous hospitality - but let's give a theological root to it instead of marketing fluff.
PineHall  - Consumerism   |2008-10-16 09:58:33
It is all a part of American Culture. People shop for churches, just like shopping for a pair of shoes. Churches buy into this because if they can get more members they can do more ministry which will attract more members. Unfortunately, what happens is churches consolidate into Super Walmart churches. Most members are still just consumers and are not growing in the faith. Willow Creek found that out. Churches need to grow its members and be missional, otherwise they end up being large but only a inch deep.
PerpetualAgnostic  - Theological question   |2008-10-16 15:56:00
Quote:
If, as I say, people are looking for a reason to stay - how about we try to embody Jesus to them?


Aren't Christians were always embodying Jesus?

And if so, what does that mean if/when they act in ways that they're less than proud of?
emperorbma   |2008-10-16 17:54:38
Boy, you know how to ask the good ones dontcha?

Quote:
Aren't Christians were always embodying Jesus?



They certainly ought to be, but they don't necessarily always. The answer to the next question will explain this in further depth...

Quote:
And if so, what does that mean if/when they act in ways that they're less than proud of?



The thing is, the rationale for how a Christian is still capable of sinning despite being under grace will get somewhat of a different answer depending on what theology you ask. Practically all agree that in a case of true faith it is due to the weakness of the believer and not willful disobedience.

The answer that Luther gives is that the Christian is "simul justus et peccator," which means literally "both saint and sinner." Namely, we inherit a human nature corrupted by Original Sin and our basic desires are corrupted accordingly. (the "peccator"/sinner) However, through Christ our sins are taken away and through faith He creates in us a new nature which is capable of living according to His Will. (the "justus"/saint)

But... even after we believe we still don't actually lose the corrupted nature. It is washed away and suppressed by the power of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and through faith in Christ so that it doesn't "rule" the believer's life, but because the corruption is still inherent in the flesh the believer still commits sin on occasion. That is why a Christian should live a life of humble repentance and faith and not claim to be righteous by his own merits. Our corrupt nature will only be corrected completely after the Resurrection because God will resurrect the flesh without the sin being inherent in it. By God's grace, we can still live lives in this world that glorify Him, despite our sins, but we will never actually attain perfection in this life.

To that end, we are pleading as beggars to the undeserved and unmerited grace of God. We do not exemplify any true virtue apart from God's power at work in our lives through faith. (N.B. Unbelievers can live lives of worldly virtue, but since it isn't done in faith it isn't Godly virtue...)

As I said above, though, other theological disciplines present the formula somewhat differently so there's no one "single answer" that all Christians use to these questions. I'm, naturally, presenting my own Lutheran slant on this.
Entity  - Tissue boxes?   |2008-10-15 17:58:42
Tissue boxes at the end of each row? Is this a staple in Protestant churches?
emperorbma  - Makes sense to me...   |2008-10-15 18:17:18
Considering how emotional it can get at times, it may well should be. I'm saying this even as a comparatively austere Lutheran. :P

I don't doubt even y'all Catholics get emotional when considering God's love, probably...
Entity   |2008-10-16 11:22:11
I don't doubt even y'all Catholics get emotional when considering God's love, probably...

Well, there is considerable wailing when the priest says that they aren't allowed to use birth control or when there is no coffee and donuts after mass.

But I think most of our parishes are BYOT.
emperorbma   |2008-10-16 12:29:23
lol...

Yeah, we don't have tissues either. I'm just saying that joy often overflows in the heart. :P
WebbedFeetOfClay   |2008-10-16 12:33:21
interesting, the grand majority of RCC parishes I've been to haven't been Coffee+Donut parishes at all. No after-mass shindig normally (unless I've just never been invited.)
Entity   |2008-10-16 14:14:32
I think most of the ones I've gone to have been Coffee+Doughnut parishes. Some are well attended, some not. Our current parish has a Knights of Columbus hall next door that does a brunch once a month. More people are starting to go to that and they have longer to visit. Plus, it raises money for K of C charities.

I wonder if it varies depending on part of the country.
WebbedFeetOfClay   |2008-10-16 22:38:11
that was one of my big curiosities. I'm curious if it might also have to do with parish size. I'd imagine average mass attendance would be higher at a lot of parishes this way, but i may be way off in that guess. curious.
WebbedFeetOfClay   |2008-10-15 21:15:35
especially during runny nose season I know there are times I've certainly wished (or been thankful for) a nearby tissue box (regardless of the protestant or non-protestant character of the church). We've several boxes in my (orthodox) church. Several at the chanter stand, several back by the choir, a couple by the bulletins and candles etc. where people come in, and i think one up in the altar area. (also a good practical consideration when incense plays a large part in the liturgy).
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 October 2008 11:06
 

Our valuable member holmegm has been with us since Thursday, 03 April 2008.

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