What Is An Usher? (Sample)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction I
• I. What Is An Usher? 2
• II. The Head Usher 3
• III. The Usher's Station 6
• IV. The Usher's Dress 7
• V. Greeters 8
• VI. The Usher's Duties 9
• VII. Some Do's and Don't's of Ushering 16
• VIII. The Usher's Reward 18
• Appendix 1 19

• THE USHER'S DUTIES
• Many times the way in which a thing is done is more important than the thing that is being done. The job of the usher is a great job and requires that it be done in the spirit of excellence.
• Before the service begins -
• The usher will be there at least fifteen minutes before the start of the service. He will be prepared to greet people and have bulletins, etc. in hand to pass out. He will be standing without slouching, and he will be ready to meet people.

1. Meeting people

• One of the most important things an usher must do is to be friendly to all who come into the church. He must meet people with a smile and a genuine attitude that says " I am really glad to see you today." It is good to extend a hand to shake hands with a man, but it is good manners not to shake hands with a lady unless she extends her hand first. Of course, the usher must extend a personal greeting to her as well. A good firm handshake while looking the person in the eyes, and smiling, is the proper way to greet someone.
• People like to have their names remembered so the usher will do his best to remember names and other pertinent information. Perhaps he could write this information down and keep it in his Bible or pocket so as not to forget it. He must be genuinely interested in people. His friendliness and welcome should be obvious. He must make people feel that he is genuinely happy to see them in church.
• In meeting visitors he should find out their names and where they are from. He may ask how they happened to be attending the church. He must show them to a seat. His job is to make people comfortable and to meet their needs. He must be a gracious host.

2. Seating people

• It probably is best to let the regular people seat themselves in the place they prefer, unless the building is crowded. However, it is important that the usher greet them and let them know he is glad to see them. If he notices that regular people are missing from services the usher should make a note of it and get into the habit of "missing people." When they do return the usher needs to let them know they were really missed. This will mean a lot to them. He also needs to give the names of those continuously absent to the church secretary for visitation.
• When a visitor comes to the usher's section or is brought to him by a greeter, the usher should immediately meet the visitor cordially and with a smile. He should then take them to a seat next to friendly members and introduce them to the members. He should not let visitors crawl over people to get a seat, but tactfully ask those in the row to move in. He should keep the empty seats in mind and know where he is going to seat visitors before they arrive. This keeps them from having to stand there while he looks for a seat for them. Never should an usher point someone to a seat. It is best if the visitor can be seated closer to the front. This gives them a better advantage for listening to the service, and they must pass more regular people before they can leave the building at the end of the service.
• If people come in with small children or babies, the usher should tell them about the nurseries that are staffed by competent ladies who are well-qualified to care for their babies. Also, the visitor should be made aware of the primary church and junior church programs where the children can learn on their level. The usher should offer to take them to the nursery and primary or junior church areas. If they will not part with their children, the usher should seat them closer to the back of the church in case the children get restless. They will be less disturbing and can be later asked by the usher to take the child to the foyer.
• The usher should be especially helpful to people who have special needs. If a mother has several smaller children or a baby and has diaper bags, etc., the usher should offer to help with the children or the bags. Remember the usher's main duty is the comfort of the people. If a handicapped person comes in the usher should do everything he can to seat them or place their wheelchair in a good place. Older people and those with canes should be seated closer to the front in the center at the ends of the aisle.                                                                                                                                                                                                

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