ChurchRater.com, a place where you can find a “church that fits” your personality, style, etc.
It’s also a great place to read thoughts and ratings from raving fans of those churches or start a flamewar because someone really didn’t agree with the church.
Good times.
As one person noted, how do you know what determines ‘good’? Can the collective wisdom of the masses really help you find a local church body? Personally, I don’t really think so.
It’s funny because star-ratings have always really failed. People either give things a 1 or a 5; I guess we’re all extremists to a degree. In addition, YouTube recently admitted that it’s ratings are pretty much useless too.
What do you think? Helpful or harmful? Valuable or a waste of online space?
joannamuses says
I have my concerns about such a tool. Apart from the obvious potential for ranting, hate speech and spam it risks feeding into consumer approach to church. There's a common mindset that church should be a perfect fit where everything is the way you like it and that you should move if it is not. Sometimes the best place to be is far from the most comfortable. Often it is when the people are difficult and things are not how we'd like that we grow.
klreed189 says
You nailed it
Michael Holmes says
Yeah…I don’t see that as something I would use in the near future. I mean, there are certain intangibles that really can’t be measured.
But who knows? The idea may grow on me…as well as on others.
Be blessed!
AussieSim says
Somewhat scary…
I've found in secular websites that we humans only post when we have something to complain about… I don't often feel the urge to review something that was awesome, but I do feel that I want to complain about bad experiences (customer service/products). Maybe that's just me…
Let's hope it doesn't spiral into a website for all those who need to vent.
klreed189 says
I actually look at the star rating, especially in the app store. If it is a 2 or 3 I stay away.
Church Crunch gets 4 1/2 stars (Maybe next month I will up it to 5 stars)
Scott Lenger says
harmful. especially considering their superficial and ambiguous rating categories.
Taylor says
I really do think its a wonderful idea. It will help others root out and find pockets of church-badness. It will also help circle them up and condemn them more efficiently. Hey wait – this has already been done: Early Rome, the Spanish Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, etc etc.
What a great idea. I can't wait to join and participate in the stone throwing. I mean, that's biblical after all… no?
kevincooper says
I never understood church rankings/ratings or the importance of them. It might be a good way to get people in the door to a particular church but if that church can't keep 'em coming back, then it's really not worth it. Can't see this as a valuable tool –but I've been wrong before.
Jim says
oof…not sure about this one…wouuld you want them to rate your church?
stephenbateman says
smells like a brewing flame-war to me.
Jim Henderson says
Thanks for noticing us. Some of you seem to have a much more pesimistic view of the church than most of the people on churchrater.
Have you actually read some of the ratings?
Looks like most people ( and not a few pastors) believe if you get inside their doors, heaven will rain down on you.
Where’s all the worry and negativity coming from?