CHURCH SERVICES can be reviewed, like any activity. The Christianity Today web-log points to two of them, from the London Times and Ship of Fools. The reviews are astonishingly superficial, and give a good picture of how most people feel about church and why atheist pastors thrive. If the music is ok and the seats are comfortable, you don't need to believe in God. The reviews are very well organized, but they are about church services as entertainment rather than worship or learning. In particular, there is no comment on the accuracy of the teaching-- probably intentionally.

Here are a couple of excerpts. The London Times (without the star Jpegs):

A five-star guide

VENUE: St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

PROVOST: The Very Rev Graham Forbes

ARCHITECTURE : Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, its three spires have become an Edinburgh landmark since its consecration in 1879
SERMON: On how necessary it is to listen, act and change according to insights provided by people outside the Church as well as those within it

MUSIC: Choir conducted by Timothy Byram-Wigfield, former director of music at the cathedral and on a return visit with his new choir of Jesus College, Cambridge.

LITURGY: Anglican eucharist from the 1982 Scottish Liturgy, similar to 1980 ASB

SPIRITUAL HIGH: Enjoyable warmth and religious comfort

AFTER-SERVICE CARE: Tea, coffee and fascinating insights into metropolitan life in Edinburgh

And the Ship of Fools site:

What books did the congregation use during the service?
About a third of the people brought Bibles and they were the most assiduous note-takers. The pew racks contained The Word Hymnal, a very successful, privately marketed hymnal and exactly what I would expect to find in a moderate or conservative non-denominational church.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ and synth.
Did anything distract you?
As the announcements were mostly in-house administrative matters, I focused instead on the sanctuary's detailing. Fascinating. The chancel is transverse and framed by a huge marble proscenium arch. There is no lectern and the pulpit is right in the middle of the thrust stage or dais. The balconies wrap around the sanctuary horseshoe-style and taper off into zig-zag staircases that lead onto the dais. In other words, everything possible has been done to draw the eye to the pulpit.

[ http://php.indiana.edu/~erasmuse/w/03.07.28b.htm ]

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