News

Mystery Worshipper - Update

20 December 2007

CHURCHES, WATCH OUT
THERE'S A 'MYSTERY WORSHIPPER' ABOUT

CHURCHES through out the Midlands are preparing for the visit of unannounced visitors to their pews in January

Mystery Worshippers are set to descend on a secret list of churches on Sunday 13 January - reporting on the warmth of welcome, length of sermon, style of music and much, much more.

To "test drive" the questionnaire, 13 Mystery Worshippers, who earn a living as Mystery Shoppers and are not regular church-goers, recently visited churches in Telford. The town's International Centre will host the Heart of England Christian Resources Exhibition (21-23 Feb 2008), sponsors of the Mystery Worshipper pilot programme.

"Although the churches in Telford were given no advance warning, several scored more than 90 per cent - with two achieving 100 per cent," said Benita Hewitt of the Christian Research Association. "Most of our Mystery Worshippers were genuinely surprised by the warmth of their experience in church and some were even keen to go back for more."

Mystery Worshipper Top Five Churches in Telford:

    * St Mary and St Leonard - 100 per cent
    * Wellington Methodist - 100 per cent
    * Telford Christ the King - 98 per cent
    * St Matthew Telford - 96 per cent
    * Union Free Telford - 92 per cent

Steve Briars, CRE's Event Director, said: "The project in Telford - and especially Mystery Worshipper in the Midlands on Sun 13 Jan - will help us monitor where there are needs in churches and how the exhibition can meet those needs more effectively."

Welcoming the initiative, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, said: "It's wonderful to see the Mystery Worshippers - very positive feedback on visiting churches in the Telford area. Time and time again new people are coming to church and discovering that it is good place to be. That's why I'm delighted that the Christian Resources Exhibition is coming to Shropshire. CRE is a great showcase for the many excellent resources 'to help churches improve the welcome they give to parishioners."

Reports from Mystery Worshipper in the Midlands will be published on Thur 21 Feb at a special ministers' breakfast on the first day of Heart of England CRE. Supporting the initiative is www.shipoffools.com, founders of Mystery Worshipper.

Sometimes dubbed the "ideal church show", Heart of England CRE will feature up to 150 organisations, from book publishers to youth work specialists, relief agencies to chair manufacturers.

Under the title "Your Church" more than 30 seminars and workshops will target issues like multi-media worship, debt counselling, child protection and gang culture. Expert advice will be at hand from people engaged at the leading edge of local church ministry.

The purpose-built Telford International Centre is one of the UK's premier exhibition venues providing ideal facilities for both exhibitors and visitors, with plenty of close parking. More than 5000 people, representing most mainstream Christian denominations, are expected to attend the event, the majority with some form of leadership responsibility in their local churches.

More info: www.creonline.co.uk

View all news stories

Exhibitions

Upcoming...

  • Northern CRE 2008
    Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
    Thu 25 - Sat 27 September 2008
    Info | Tickets | Map
  • South West CRE 2009
    Exeter
    Thu 29 - Sat 31 January 2009
    Info | Tickets | Map