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(As taken from the document, "Ushering Information")
What
is an Usher?
An Usher is many things.
He is a Watchman - A good usher will watch over the service
like a mother hen over her chickens. He will anticipate problems
before they come up and will be prepared to deal with them
in an effective manner. He will watch out to make sure that
the people are as comfortable as possible.
He is a Servant - There are many ways an usher can serve
the congregation. An usher is chosen and is in his place for
one reason, and that is to serve the people.
He is a Host - Just as a man tries to make a guest in his
home feel welcome and comfortable, he must see that the visitors
in his church feel welcome and have as comfortable a place
as possible. He should make every visitor feel welcome as
an honored guest.
He is a Reflection of the Church - When people walk in the
church for the first time, the usher that greets them is,
to them, the church. The opinions they are forming of the
particular usher, who is helping them, are the opinions they
are forming of the church. The visitor will be in a much better
frame of mind and more receptive to the sermon if he has been
warmly greeted by an usher. He will have formed a good, lasting
impression of the church soon after his arrival because of
the polite gentleman who helped him when he came in.
An usher who is faithful to his task will be greatly rewarded
in Heaven for the work he has done for the cause of Christ.
He will also get a great deal of personal satisfaction from
knowing that he made the services run more smoothly. It should
be the goal of every usher to serve Christ in this manner
and to do the job to the very best of his ability.
Never forget that the job of an usher is an honorable one
and brings glory to the Saviour. This should be the only real
motive of an usher.
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The Usher's
Station
An usher's station is a place of service in the church just
as much as a Sunday School class, the choir, or any other
place of responsibility. The Bible says that it is required
in steward that a man be found faithful The usher who has
a job to perform and performs it to the best of his ability,
being faithful in his task, will receive the same degree of
reward as a preacher or pastor who has done his job faithfully.
The Bible does not require that we have a great talent but
that the talent we have be submitted and yielded to Christ.
An usher should be in his position ahead of time. He should
be in his place several minutes before the service is scheduled
to start so that he might greet as many people as possible
as they come in and properly cared for. By being in position
on time could possibly help avoid problems that may otherwise
arise.
An usher should be proud of his station. He should have a
tremendous sense of satisfaction that his position is cared
for in the best way possible. He should make sure that nothing
around him goes unnoticed and that all necessary items are
taken care of.
If an usher is unable to make it for any of his scheduled
assignments, he should make sure that he finds a replacement
from the ushers list. If he cannot find a replacement, he
should notify the usher chairman.
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Greeting and
Seating Visitors
Before the service begins, crowds of people come in at once
and should be allowed to go immediately to their seats with
a smile or a hello from the usher. But after the service starts,
people should be met at the door, in a friendly manner, as
individuals. If there are bulletins or other handouts, they
should be given to the person as come in.
An usher should always watch the entrance, especially after
the service begins, to meet late comers. Many people may come
to the entrance and stand there looking in. If they cannot
see an empty seat immediately they stand there (maybe embarrassed
that they do not have a place to sit). These people must be
cared for in short order.
Each visitor should be met at the door and shown directly
to their seat. The usher should know the location of vacant
seats at all times. On his return trip from the front of the
church, after seating a person, the usher should take notice
of where vacant seats are. Ushers should never point out empty
seats to people from the entrance and expect them to seat
themselves.
An usher should always smile and have a pleasant attitude
so that people know that this is a happy place and that these
are happy people. Remember, those first impressions are very,
very important and often lasting.
Ushers should also learn to call people by name. They should
train themselves to remember names. An usher should not be
partial in his greetings. He should welcome total strangers
with the same pleasantness and cheerfulness as he does those
people he knows. When seating a visitor an usher should introduce
them to someone sitting in the same vicinity. Of course this
can only be done before the service begins and must be done
in a diplomatic and reserved manner.
An usher should never get too far ahead of those he is trying
to seat. It is embarrassing to an usher to find himself at
the front of the church and to discover that the visitors
have seated themselves at the rear. If the person sees a seat
that they would prefer then the usher should attempt to accommodate
their wishes.
The visitor should never be left to push their way past people
to a seat on the interior of the pew. The usher should quietly
ask those seated near the isle if they would mind moving in
to help the visitor to be seated quickly.
Courtesy is the watchword for an usher. Some people may attend
a service and remember, more than any other thing, the courtesy
of the usher who helped them find a seat.
No matter how late a visitor may come in, the usher who is
watching the door should immediately step to them, and show
them to a seat. This limits disturbances during the service.
During special numbers, the Scripture reading, or a prayer,
the late comers should be asked to wait with the usher until
this part of the service is finished; then they may be shown
to a seat.
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Assisting
People
The usher has the responsibility for the comfort and safety
of the congregation, not only during the service but before
and after the service as well. This is the reason that ushers
are asked to remain at their post for the entire service.
There may be people in attendance who, because of their training,
can be of assistance in case of a medical emergency. The usher,
if possible, should be aware of where these people are seated
in case they have to call upon in an emergency.
Emergency evacuation procedures are being drawn up by the
trustees. Once this is complete, a copy will be given to each
usher.
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Taking the
Offering
An usher should step very briskly to the position he is assigned
when it is time to take the offering. The plate should be
carried at his side in his right hand, cupped in the same
way as if he were carrying a book.
When taking the offering, the usher should hand his plate
to the person sitting next to the aisle and then step away
from the pew a bit. He should look towards the back of the
church and watch from the corner of his eye for the plate
to come back to him. The whole body and the eyes should be
pointed directly toward the back of the church. The reason
for this is to keep people from thinking that the ushers are
watching to see how much each person gives.
Many people come to church with the feeling that the church
is a place where people talk about money and "grab"
for as much as possible. Of course this is not true, but some
may be looking for an excuse to stay home. Therefore the usher
should avoid looking at people as they place their offering
in the plate.
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Handouts
It is important that the ushers ensure that bulletins, information
sheets, reading material or any other handouts are given to
people as they enter the church. If there are not enough handouts
for every person, try to make sure that at least each family
receives one.
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Lights, Heat
and Fans
Prior to the beginning of the service, all lights in the
sanctuary are to be on. The usher closest to the switches
should be the one to adjust the lights if requested. Make
sure all lights are turned off after the service ends and
the church has emptied.
The ceiling fan should be adjusted accordingly to ensure
a proper comfort level in the sanctuary. Also during the summer,
the furnace fan should be turned on before the service to
cool the sanctuary. Remember to turn off the fan after the
service ends.
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Usher's Responsibilities
- Be at the door by 10:40 am
- Have a pleasant and friendly greeting. Note: As ushers,
you are somewhat responsible for the friendly atmosphere
- or lack of it in the church.
- Scan the pews for empty seats. This will help in finding
seats for late comers.
- Make people feel comfortable as they enter the church.
This is a major responsibility.
- Know in advance your plan of action in the event of an
overflow crowd. For example, are there sufficient chairs
available if some have to be set up? Is the service being
broadcast to the family center?
- Make a head count of the number of people in attendance,
including the nursery and family center. This is easily
done from the balcony. Write the number on a piece of paper
and give it to the pastor after the service.
- Have a glass of water available for the pastor.
- Plan in advance for emergencies, such as medical or fire.
You should know the location of fire extinguishers and first
aid kits.
- If needed, assist with the flow of traffic in the parking
lot. This is important in case someone is blocked in and
needs to get out.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not seat anyone during
special musical numbers, including choir, scripture reading
or prayer.
- Always be alert and ready to render assistance to anyone
needing it.
- When pastor and deacons are preparing for the Communion
service, the ushers should be at the back and thank those
people, who may have to leave, for attending.
- After the service is over, ensure that all the doors of
the church are locked before you leave.
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Location
of Emergency Items
Fire Extinguishers:
Church:
- on wall just inside main front door
- on wall just inside the rear door nearest the family center
- in the photocopier room (last room at back of hallway
in basement)
Family Center:
- inside main door
- in kitchen
First Aid Kit:
Church: inside main door
Family Center: in kitchen
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"Shoulds"
for Ushers
- An usher should hold his office in high esteem
for it is a service unto the Lord.
- An usher should not frown or scowl at visitors,
for they are an opportunity to witness for the church and
the Lord.
- An usher should make himself a storehouse of information
for visitors.
- An usher should smile pleasantly and always be
cheerful so that visitors will feel that they are in a warm
and friendly church.
- An usher should know where every available seat
is and always be prepared to seat guests as they arrive.
- An usher should try and seat strangers by friendly
and outgoing church members.
- An usher should take guests to their seats.
- An usher should always be on guard for the comfort
of the guests.
- An usher should show no favoritism to any guest,
but should treat all visitors with the same courtesy.
- An usher should remember that he is a host for
the Lord and that people may judge the Lord and the church
by his attitude.
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