Faith & ethics

Don't be surprised if you see a new face next to you in the pews this Sunday. A handful of ChurchCheck researchers will descend on a secret list of churches in Leeds during that Sunday. Three different denominations are to be visited in the city but organisers will not disclose where the researchers will be worshipping.

The mystery Leeds church-goers will be giving their view from the pew on warmth of welcome, length of sermon, quality of music and much, much more.

All the visitors will be trained mystery shoppers, few, if any, of the researchers will be regular church-goers. The visitors newcomers will not disclose the purpose of their visit to any of the congregation or clergy.

In total 20 visits are planned throughout the north of England.

The scientific findings will be presented at the Northern Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) in Harrogate.

ChurchCheck Sunday, run by the Christian Research Association helps churches prepare for Back to Church Sunday on Sunday 28 September.

Thirty-eight Church of England dioceses from Cornwall to Newcastle will join with Baptists, Methodists and United Reformed churches across the UK in the initiative which aims to welcome people to churches in their local area.

The CRE at Harrogate (Thursday 25 Sep- Saturday 27 Sep 2008) will host up to 130 organisations. More than 4000 people, representing most mainstream Christian denominations, are expected to attend the event.