Ushers ministry 

Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, Ephesians 6: 7

The ministry of ushering is a vital part of any church’s conducting of worship services. Ushers represent the church in a very visible way. They play a vital role in making the church a welcoming, warm, and friendly place in which all may experience true Christian love and be completely comfortable as they worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There is an old saying – “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” People often make judgement based solely upon their first impression and that starts with the first person they encounter… the usher. That usher, displaying competence along with a cheerful demeanor presents to the member or visitor that this church is where they belong and/or where they need to belong.

General Description 

An usher serves during the weekend services, conferences, special services and during other formal celebrations.  The usher’s duties are quite basic:

  • Making people feel welcome at church 

  • Directing and seating guests 

  • Collecting offering 

  • Serving during communion 

  • Ensuring and maintaining a safe environment

  • Assisting in handling emergencies such as sudden illness, etc. (call ambulance, etc.)

Time Commitment 

Ushers are asked to serve a minimum of one service, one time per month. The team leaders will

do the scheduling and communicate to all members of the team and coordinate other duties of the ushers.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

  1. Attendance and offering collection  

  • Regularly attend usher-team meetings and bible-study days. 

  • Assigned ushers are expected to arrive 15-20 minutes before the service start-time.

  • Ensuring that four offering bags are available for use.

  • Collect, sort, and secure offering of the day and hand the funds over to the treasurer. 

  • The offerings should be counted soon after the collection is taken. This should be done in a secure place away from public view.

  • Scheduled ushers are expected to arrange for a substitute if they are unable to usher at their scheduled time and notify the team leader.

  • If for any reason a member of the team won’t be able to serve for some time they should inform the leader in advance of such pending absence. 

  • Help members, visitors and newcomers with finding a seat as they are entering the church.

  • Have visitors and newcomers fill out a guest form and submit it to the pastor or evangelist following the service. 

  • If a visitor, newcomer, or anyone requests prayer help, the person should be brought to meet with the evangelist or the pastor. 

  • Be alert to newcomers and try to introduce them to the evangelist or the pastors or a prayer team member. Be available to answer questions of anyone needing assistance.

  • Encourage people to attend post-service fellowship. 

  • One usher will remain in the back of the church during the entire service.

  • Be alert to available seats and be ready to lead worshipers to the vacant seats.

  1. During Holy Communion service 

  • Two ushers will direct the communicants coming forward in line for the communion. 

  • For smooth, expedient communing, a full line of waiting communicants should be maintained.

  • Special care should be given to elderly, sick, or anyone who needs assistance. 

  • If someone in a pew is physically unable to come forward, inform pastors of their whereabouts so that they may be served at their pew.

  1. Other services 

  • Have at least one usher on duty the hallway (Narthex) at all times to monitor the congregation, late arrivals, or other needs.

  • Be available to answer questions of anyone needing assistance. 

  • In the event of a fire or any emergency, ushers are expected to quickly move to make sure that all doors to the sanctuary are open. Orderly evacuation is an absolute must and the team is expected to monitor the outflow of people and inspect the restrooms and other areas of the building to see that all are evacuated.

  1. Attire

  • All ushers are asked to remember that they are representatives of the entire church-family and are expected to dress neatly and meet good grooming standards. The popular phrase, “dress for success” that is widely used in business is apt in this situation as well.

  • Each usher-team member will have a special usher name tag, so members and visitors may know them for any assistance.