I’d rather be shopping

The Wall Street Journal published an article on October 10th about secret shoppers– for churches– entitled “The Mystery Worshipper.”  Metzger is quoted in the article, and it’s a sobering account of how churches are rated for quality and comfort through the lens of a church shopper.  Check it out here.  What is your reaction to this article? Some questions to consider:  

  • What message do you think the secret shopper model communicates about the ultimate goal and purpose of the church?  
  • Is this message biblical? 
  • Do you think church-goers should be approached as religious consumers in order to grow congregations? 
  • Can the two concerns of consumer comfort and preaching the gospel co-exist, or will one ultimately drive out the other? 
  • Do you think approaching the church as a provider of religious commodities proves to confuse the message of Christ rather than clarify it? 

Please share your thoughts.   Below are some links to other blogs that have also covered this article:
http://floatingaxhead.com/2008/10/14/professional-worshipers/
http://www.getreligion.org/?p=4014
http://thesidos.blogspot.com/2008/10/forget-faithful-exposition-of-gods-word.html 

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