THE ROLE OF CHURCH USHERS
Ushers welcome guests and direct them to their seats at a variety of functions such as sporting events, theatre shows, and music concerts. They check tickets, provide audience members with programs, and tend to their comfort and safety.
In Church, An usher is a spiritual ambassador for the local church – God’s ordained and organized body of believers. The usher serves as a “first representative” of Jesus Christ for a worship service.
Friendliness is a very important characteristic of a good usher. Other attributes of a good usher are: punctuality, humility, graciousness, kindness, submissiveness, flexibility, cleanness (neat), sensitiveness (alert), faithfulness (dependable), availability, dedicated, poised and most of all, prayerful.
Usher Skills
 Professional appearance and demeanor.
 Organizational skills.
 Conflict resolution skills.
 High attention to detail.
 Problem solving skills
 Ability to multitask.
 Verbal communication skills.
Ushers in the tabernacle and temple were called doorkeepers. The psalmist understood the importance of ushers when he said, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
As an Effective Church Usher, always Make the people, members and guests, feel welcomed and important. Assist visitors to their seats. Never leave them looking for a place to sit. Know where available seats are when the church is filling up. Always be proactive.
Ushers and Greeters are usually the first official representative of the church that people meet when they arrive. The ushers or greeters’ dress, attitude, words, demeanor, body language all speak a message to the worshipper.
A church greeter is often the first person a visitor to a church will meet. Just like in the building of all relationships, the first impression a greeter makes has an impact on the perception of a church.
Stand at the door and greet guests with a friendly smile and a few words of welcome. Seat the guests according to a seating arrangement or help carry their luggage, if applicable. If seating is without arrangement, simply escort the guests to a seat.
Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For small congregations, the Church Protocol team also are part of ushering team. They help in taking care of a pastor at all the stages of the event, meeting or service in or outside the building. Taking care of guest ministers (processing their documents, arranging their accommodation, transportation and solving other logistics issues) Being always polite and helpful to the pastor and ministers.
When assigning seats in a pulpit reserve the center seat for the church’s leader with the highest standing. The seat to his left or right is for any guest speakers. The remaining seats can be given to the other clergy. From the center, sit them from highest to lowest ranking clergy.
As an effective Church usher you should always ANTICIPATE for any need and take action/responsibility. Rather than reacting always be Proactive.
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