Many churches seem to demoralize an usher’s duties, thinking they are very limited and unimportant. However, the duties of an usher range far beyond passing buckets and shaking hands; they encompass weighty and meaningful tasks. I define these duties in two specific areas:
Assist the Pastor
First of all, an usher assists the pastor and helps him bring his vision for the local church to fulfillment. As an usher, your presence will build up and have an immediate impact on the organization and well-being of your church.
The pastor stands up and says, “It’s time for an offering.” When an army of ushers stand and come forth, that impresses people. The think, “Wow, look at those people who are here to serve.”
Sadly, in some churches, when the pastor gets up to take an offering he has to say, “Could we have some help? Is there anybody here who wants to serve God? Somebody jump up, and give us a hand here! We need some help over here or over there.” People are watching this thinking “Hmm, I wonder what’s going on around here? Nobody wants to assist the pastor.”
Meet and Greet
Secondly, an usher is God’s public relations man and represents the church to every new visitor. Because the pastor of a large church cannot personally greet all the people before a service, it is the usher’s responsibility to make visitors feel welcome and important.
Now, I will discuss this in more detail a little later, but keep something in mind. Sometimes if an usher greets someone and the person falls down, the usher thinks it’s the anointing of God that knocks them down.
But it isn’t the anointing; it’s his breath. We call it dragon’s breath. No matter how friendly the usher’s “we just want to welcome you” is, his dragon’s breath will knock them down and they will remember that!
I am covering some really personal things, but ushering is all about dealing with people. You would be amazed at the excuses people use for not coming to church. The next Sunday morning when they wake up, do you know why they think of first? Ol’ dragon breath. And they pray that ol’ dragon breath isn’t at that door when they come in, because they already have their hair permed, and don’t need another one!
Ushers should greet visitors with the same warmth and love as the pastor would himself. The usher has the unique privilege to make the first, and usually lasting, impression on a person. He can ease the visitor’s transition from uneasy curiosity to security and enjoyment.
I have seen visitors track down a friendly usher before they leave the service and say, “We’ll be back. You can count on us!” Why? They know they have a friend with a warm smile waiting when they return. You can make a difference in someone’s life.
If you flow in your role, you will become the world’s greatest salesman because you have what the public wants. In other words, you will be right there to help them what they need. Your love and efficiency will impact visitors because you have:
• Warmly welcomed them with an outstretched hand and smile.
• Seated them in comfortable, accessible seats.
• Provided them with bulletins, songsheets and all necessary information on your church.
• Even gone the extra mile and told them you enjoyed their presence in the service and how much you would like them to come to a service again.
by Buddy Bell” Excerpt permission granted by
Ministry of Helps International, Inc.
"A Pastor's Friend" Since 1977, Dr. Buddy Bell has been serving pastors and families in the local church. Because of his faithfulness and commitment to serve, God has anointed him to teach on the Ministry of Helps.
In 1986, he founded Ministry of Helps International, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he serves as president. His insights into the much-needed message of the Ministry of Helps have enabled countless people to find and fulfill their place in the Body of Christ. In June of 2006, Dr. George Walters, president of Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College in Tampa, Florida, and its Board of Directors, presented Dr. Buddy Bell with an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Bell is also an international teacher, trainer of champions, and a successful author, with the books The Ministry of Helps Handbook, revealing how to be totally effective serving in the Ministry of Helps; Ushering 101, which is the most complete manual available for ushers today; and Greeting 101, giving easy steps to greeting in the local church. In addition, he has produced Usher Training System 101, Development of Local Church Membership, Development of Local Church Leadership, and 20 teaching DVD's. More than 10,000 churches worldwide are utilizing these materials. Dr. Bell has traveled to over 3,000 churches, teaching and helping church staff and congregations work together with far greater effectiveness. With humor, zeal, and an anointing from God to present the Ministry of Helps, he motivates people by awakening them to the power and plan of the Holy Spirit for accomplishing the work of the ministry through every believer.