How to Be an Outstanding Church Usher

I have been a church usher since 1976.  When I first took the job, I didn't think that I would stick with it.  However, as time has went by, it has become one of my favorite things to do.  The main goal of being an outstanding church usher is to serve others.  This article will explain what it takes to make an outstanding church usher.  In some ways, you could call this the ministry of welcome.

1.  Introduction:  As soon as you meet someone with a smile, good morning and how or you.  Introduce yourself and discover who you are talking to.

2.  Be visitor sensitive.  They might be strangers here.  Explain restrooms, fellowship and church protocol.  Remember new visitors will not act like regular attendees.  They might even have a specific need.  Be helpful but, not over bearing on them.

3.  Be on time and stay your post.  Don't wander off and be over talkative to close friends.

4.  Seat people carefully.  Some people have comfort zones when it comes to seating.

5.  Be sure everyone gets a church bulletin or service paper.  These help lead the person through the service.

6.  Be ready to handle illness if someone gets sick.

7.  Maintain order.  This can be tough to do.  If you have a disruptive child, ask the parents to remove the child until the child settles down.  You can't let one individual ruin it for everyone else.

8.  Be an out reach for your minister.  Take addresses and phone numbers if necessary.  Remember you are the middle man on a contact between the attendees and pastor.

9.  If you have guidelines obey and follow them.

10.  Handle the offering with dignity.  Your job is to collect not judge.

11.  Clean up and lock up after the service.  Many times janitors do not work on Sunday.  Shutting down the church could be everything from window closing and door locking to turning off the power and organ.

On a personal note:  I recently watched the video "Validation."  This video gives you an idea of how one person can make a difference.  Church ushers certainly fall into this category.  Try to be a nice stranger.

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