Each usher should do everything in their power to ensure that the people have the best opportunity possible to connect with and hear from God. Each usher can shepherd the people by getting to know them, praying for them, learning their names, and meeting appropriate needs.
Follow the direction of your head usher.
It is important that each usher follows the leadership of the team leader. Be supportive and encouraging. Offer suggestions if you have good ideas, but don’t be overly sensitive if your ideas aren’t used. Your head usher will do his or her best to serve and lead you and the rest of their team well.
2) The Core Tasks
Help people find a seat.
This seems obvious, but there is an art to it. The art is all about making people, especially new people and people far from God, feel comfortable. Their insecurities can rise, and their feelings of self-consciousness prevent them from connecting with God.
Imagine what it feels like to walk into an unfamiliar restaurant or other environment and not know what to do.
- Do I seat myself or do I wait to be seated?
- Who do I talk to if I have a question?
- Who do I tell if I have special circumstances? (e.g. potential medical condition)
Don’t leave people hanging. Let them know that you can handle anything they need and that you are the one that can make this a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Don’t make them come to you and ask. You approach them with confidence and a smile. Take charge with grace and poise.
Collect the offering.
On a spiritual level, the offering is part of worship. It is the opportunity for worshippers to express their love, trust, and obedience toward God. On a practical level, the financial needs of a large church are significant. Your smooth and coordinated execution of an offering can and does impact the resources that fund the Kingdom. On a security level, this is one of the most detailed functions of an usher.
The ushers need to be trained in the actual physical process for receiving an offering in a live service.
The ushers need to receive detailed training that will help us ensure compliance with legal guidelines and practical security issues.
Assist in the execution of special moments.
Many churches are known for creativity in their worship services. From motorcycles to doughnuts, to tractors and bottles of soda, you just never know what may be coming down the aisles! Some of the special moments are fun, some are crazy, and some are deeply spiritual. Things like crossing a bridge, writing in journals, or taking communion. The service of an usher is crucial to these moments being leveraged toward life-change.
The service depends on your flexibility. Don’t get flustered when last minute changes are made. That will happen. Just keep positive, stay flexible and know that creativity is at work to help people connect with and hear from God.
Get an accurate people count.
Why does this matter? Why must these numbers be so accurate? Why can’t we just make a good estimate? The answer is that every number represents a person. We want to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, and therefore it matters that we know how well we are reaching people. Just like in the book of Acts, they counted, recorded, and celebrated how many people were saved. Your church counts too!
Reset and clean up the auditorium.
People will leave papers, cups and “stuff” behind. The glamorous part of an usher’s ministry is cleaning up after each service. Also, supplies such as Bibles and pens are replenished.
Remember, many hands make light work. If all ushers jump in and help, it takes just a few minutes.
3) Common sense
- Maintain proper appearance and personal hygiene.
- Show up on time.
- Read the bulletin – get informed, stay informed.
- Wear your name tag.
- You will probably not be required to usher every Sunday, but when you are on the schedule, give it 100%.
- If you are on the schedule and can’t make it, be sure to call and let your team leader know. Don’t just no show. People are counting on you.
- Smile, talk to people, and learn their names!!
Happy ushering!!
This article about the importance of a church usher originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
