by Theresa Hoeft, Guest Blogger

I recently sat in a workshop, and we were given information about a company that will have someone come and “mystery shop” your church. You can pick out the demographics, gender and age of the person. Over the next several months, they will visit (without anyone knowing…not even you!) and then they will send you a 20-some-page report on their experience.

I can see how this would be a really helpful tool. To have someone come through for the first time, virgin eyes so to speak, could be a very useful tool…but something was missing for me. I didn’t hit me until we were able to “visit” our church with some new friends.

Because they were nervous about the visit, they had us meet them in the parking lot. We got to walk in, be greeted, walk through the halls, check their kids in, get a coffee, sit through the service, check their kids out and walk back out to the parking lot all through the eyes of a couple that have never seen anything like our church. It was amazing. We gave them freedom to ask any questions, comment on anything they saw…good or bad, comfortable or uncomfortable, and we just listened.  We told them there was nothing they could ask or say that would hurt our feelings or friendship. It was all about them.

They had some great questions. They asked some theological questions and then some general “why” questions. But what hit me the most was what they asked at the end of the visit. “If we are going to give our money and our time to this church, really, where does it go and what do you really stand for?” 

This is what separated the “mystery shopper” from the real deal.  This couple was looking at this as an investment of their time and money. This was a place that was going to impact and shape their children. This was a place that they would spend time at, which means not spending time somewhere else. Was it worth it? There was an emotional part of the process that I don’t think any “mystery shopper” could tap into.

Take time to walk in with new people…really walk in…front to back. Give them freedom to ask questions–any question. But most of all don’t get offended or defensive. Be ecstatic with the fact that something is stirring in them that is making them even ask.

Theresa Hoeft is on staff at Granger Community Church where she facilitates ministry experiences to help people take their next steps toward Christ beyond our weekend services.

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