This was our seventh review and can be found on Google Maps and below.
What was the name of the service?
10 o’clock service.
How full was the building?
The church meets in a pub (!) Which we thought was awesome. About 30 people were present, but today we were in the pub garden as there was a baptism.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Yes, lots of people did in the pre-service coffee time, including the pastor and his wife.
Was your pew comfortable?
Yes, but given its Manchester, it was quite cold, even though it was June!
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Awesome – although advertised as a 10am service, there was 30 minutes of conversation and coffee before we began. The coffee and friendly conversation was especially welcome. We felt relaxed and there was some lively singing practice going on.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
“Thank you for joining us today, and happy father’s day to fathers and would be fathers among us.”
What books did the congregation use during the service?
A service sheet with the readings and song lyrics on.
What musical instruments were played?
An acoustic guitar and what seemed like a deceptively sophisticated drum box?
Did anything distract you?
Only the cold.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Happy clappy, but not too much.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
18mins and 59 seconds.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
We scored him 7, 8 and 5.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
The reading was Isaiah 55:1-2 and it was on spiritual health and poverty, or spiritual dissatisfaction and nourishment, depending on who you asked among us.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The singing and the pre-service coffee.
And which part was like being in… er… the other place?
The cold.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Lots of people chatted with us.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Fine. Good. Great!
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
9, 6, and 9.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Thrice yes!
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days’ time?
Sense of family and the need to avoid spiritual poverty.
Final thoughts:
We’ve been reviewing churches for most of this year and this was the best so far and our first 5-star rating. Redeemer church has a lot going for it and some of us are going to return at some point. We loved it!
The Mystery Worshippers 