Lessons learned by professional church spies

[cbayer]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tmatt/2013/09/lessons-learned-by-church-spies/

September 9, 2013 By tmatt

The first thing Chuck Lawless noticed when he entered the church foyer was that the welcome center was empty, which made it pretty hard for a newcomer to feel welcomed on a routine Sunday morning.

After several minutes of hanging around trying to look conspicuous, a staff member at this particular Pennsylvania congregation approached him and asked if he needed help. Lawless asked a perfectly normal newcomer question: Was there a small-group Bible study of some kind that he could visit?

Unaware that Lawless was trained church spy who was there conducting research, the staffer gave a surprisingly candid answer: “Do you want to visit a friendly one?”

By all means, said Lawless. He was then taken to a large empty room, where he deliberately sat next to the door. This meant that every person who entered the class — approximately 60 in all — had to walk past him.

more at link

[AtheistCrusader]

1. I sorta did this a couple times, with some neighborhood churches.

Didn't know there was a project for it.

Some of the measures they seem to be looking for don't make a lot of sense. The Covenant church down the street has assigned greeters in the lobby, but they won't approach you unless you engage them. They are very friendly and all that, they are just trying to be low-pressure.


In all honesty, I saw a mix of people that looked bored to tears, some just going through the motions, some actively engaged, and some, usually near the front, acting in what I would describe as weird, very cultish behavior. Honestly, most of the members seem to site away from/shy from the front row crew too.

[cbayer]

2. It's a tough row to hoe.

I have visited a few churches over the past 10 years. I recalled today that I went to church for several Sundays after 9/11. It wasn't about religion or god. I wanted to be around people who were grieving and share the grief I was experiencing. I cried the whole time and was really glad that I went.

Many, like me, may seek out a church during times of turmoil. One has to be very sensitive to whether they want to be approached or not.

I think if you look closely at those attending a service, you will see a huge range of behaviors.