I wonder what the secret shoppers would think of the church if the pastor actually preached the undiluted Gospel and the congregation came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Pastors who concern themselves the creating the best here and now experience will end up with congregations who's bye and bye experiences will be not so sweet.
That’s not necessarily so. You can have the a church that is perfect in its legal take on doctrine but cold as a fish. You can have another church that is perfect in its take on doctrine AND warm, friendly, and loving.
I pick door #2.
My experience as a pastor is:
1. People don’t reach out to newcomers because they’re actually busy touching base with family, friends, etc., who are already part of the church. In the excitement of that, they just get lost in the moment. It’s not unfriendliness that keeps them from caring about newcomers, it’s enjoying the moment with loved ones.
2. People don’t reach out to newcomers because they really aren’t comfortable with what to say or do.
3. People don’t reach out to newcomers because they are in their own private world when they arrive at, participate, and depart church.