Mystery shoppers are used by retailers, restaurants and banks to evaluate services at the customer level. Management can get an accurate look at what they are doing right and what they can improve on. I think that Churches should employ mystery shoppers.

Most churches have a goal to teach and nurture the people in their congregation and in their community. How do they know if they are accomplishing these goals? A sample audit sheet might look something like this....

Was there sufficient parking?
Were entrances and exits clearly marked?
Were you greeted in a friendly manner within two minutes of entering the building?
Were the children's services thoroughly explained to you?
Did an usher escort you to a seat?
Describe the praise and worship time.
Did you participate?
At any time during the service, was the congregation asked to open their Bibles?
Did you feel that the teaching was relevant to your life today?
Were the church staff approachable and offering to answer any questions or prayer concerns?
Were you thanked for coming and invited to return?
If you were to tithe, do you feel that the church would use that money responsibly?
Based on your experience today, would you return to this church and would you recommend this church to others?

I think this kind of thing could be helpful. Who knows how many people are lost each week because the church didn't meet the needs of its people. Businesses do it all the time. Why not pay an auditor thirty bucks for a visit? That's not much for a reality check. It might be money well spent.