›

Questions from a prospective Mystery Worshipper

Church KoalaChurch Koala Shipmate Posts: 3
in Heaven
I enjoy reading all the Mystery Worshipper reports on here and I would like to attempt to produce one myself, but I have a few questions to people here who write MW reports. I am a Roman Catholic who is interested in seeing how other denominations worship, so these questions concern visiting churches outside one's own tradition.

If the service you are reporting on has communion, do you always take it? I wouldn't do it in a church which isn't in communion with Rome, but I'm worried that the report I would produce would be lacking. I suppose I could just describe what I see others doing.

What do you take into account when answering the question "How would you feel about making another visit?" I think I will always be unlikely to return to a non-RC church that I am visiting out of curiosity.

Comments

  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    Welcome aboard @Church Koala !

    I've done a few MW Reports, but I don't think I've ever reported on a non-Anglican church (I'm C of E) apart from a Lutheran Church which is in communion with Canterbury. IIRC, that service was Vespers, but I'd previously attended the Eucharist at the same church. That visit pre-dated the Porvoo Agreement, so I did check with the pastor whether receiving communion was OK, which it was...

    You are quite right, however, to abide by the rules of your own denomination, so simply reporting on what the rest of the congregation is doing seems the best option.

    As to making another visit, you could say whether or not you would like to return, but with the caveat that you are RC.

    Best wishes! I look forward to reading your MW Report(s) in due course.
  • JLBJLB Shipmate
    There seem to be far fewer Mystery Worshipper reports than there were a few years ago, It would be good to see some more.
  • ForthviewForthview Shipmate
    A few days ago I came across a Mystery worshipper report which said it was about the Freie Evangelische Gemeinde in St Georgen im Schwarzwald. The report followed the format usual to Mystery worshipper and was written in English.
    I read it quickly but then it disappeared from my screen and I haven't been able to find it since then.
    I did look up the website of the church but there was nothing about a Mystery worship report.
    Did I just imagine that this Report appeared on SOF Mystery worship reports ?
    Did anyone else see this ?
  • ForthviewForthview Shipmate
    Just this minute the Mystery worship report on the above church has reappeared on my screen
  • Graven ImageGraven Image Shipmate
    I am not Roman Catholic and have Mystery Worshiped a number of Roman Catholic Churches. I did not take communion and noted in the report that I did not because I am not Roman Catholic. I also stated that was why I would not want it as my home church, although I very much enjoyed my visit.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Graven Image wrote: »
    I am not Roman Catholic and have Mystery Worshiped a number of Roman Catholic Churches. I did not take communion and noted in the report that I did not because I am not Roman Catholic. I also stated that was why I would not want it as my home church, although I very much enjoyed my visit.
    Yes, I don’t think any Mystery Worshipper would be expected to contravene the discipline and expectations of their own church, and I don’t think anyone would consider a report lacking if the MWer didn’t take communion, especially under circumstances like yours.



  • MarthaMartha Shipmate
    I have never Mystery Worshipped, but I visited two new churches yesterday (new to me, I mean - one dates back to the 7th century!) and felt exactly like a Mystery Worshipper. I found myself noticing the first words of the service and wondering how to rate the sermon. Both, you will be pleased to hear, made me glad to be a Christian.
  • Lamb ChoppedLamb Chopped Shipmate
    It would be awesome if you could write up such experiences for us!
Sign In or Register to comment.