This was our eighth review and can be found on Google Maps and below. Only two of the mystery worshippers could make this service.
What was the name of the service?
THE END of all suffering.
How full was the building?
At least ¾ full. About 200 worshippers present.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Yes, a contact of ours had invited us, so he met us at the entrance.
Was your pew comfortable?
It was.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Friendly, cheerful and expectant.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
“Morning, let’s clap our hands together for our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What books did the congregation use during the service?
None were supplied, but biblical passages were referred to.
What musical instruments were played?
None – all music was piped through the speakers. They made good use of songs from the film The Gladiator.
Did anything distract you?
About 15 people who we learned were assistant pastors were standing around the perimeter. They wore immaculate suits and you would be forgiven for thinking they worked as secret service protection agents. It felt like we were being monitored. We were instructed to stand or sit, applaud, or repeat words when the pastor felt the need to engage us.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
The worship was a little odd as songs were sung, but no words were placed onto the TV screens they had, nor were we given service sheets with the words. It just seemed most people knew them by heart. They were fairly happy clappy in style. The pastor interrupted the worship frequently to add something that had occurred to him.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
It was difficult to tell when the sermon started and stopped as the pastor was preaching throughout most of the service. There seemed to be a formal teaching part that lasted around 23 minutes, but sermon-like rhetoric was found throughout the service.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
One of us scored him 4.5, the other 2.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Healing and liberation from demonic powers that cause suffering. After the sermon there was an altar call for people who wished to be liberated from the demonic powers. After the exorcisms(!), we were invited to come to the front and deposit and cash gift to the church. Those who did were anointed with oil. After that there was a second altar call for people going through a hard time. At one point the pastor urged us to get married to Jesus.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
It was very uplifting as the energy was so positive and everyone seemed to be loving it.
And which part was like being in… er… the other place?
One of us thought the part where the pastor was trying to sell holy oil from Israel went a bit far. The other thought the focus on the demonic was too much.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Someone asked if we knew anyone who required prayer for healing, then we should get in touch with the church and they will visit and pray for them.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
There was none.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
One us said 2, the other 0.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
One of us said yes, the other not so much.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days’ time?
One of us said the Gladiator music, the other said the turning around action we were expected to perform during the worship.
The Mystery Worshippers 