A church usher is a vital member in the Body of Christ and is marked by his/her God-given ability to help. The word “helping” in this passage means: a laying hold of, apprehension, perception, objection of a disputant. We could sum up the definition with the word anticipate. To anticipate means to expect, predict, to act as a forerunner to. Often times it is already too late when help is withheld until it is asked for. The spiritual gift of helps anticipates the need and then seeks to meet that need.
The needs of a congregation and the Pastor can vary and can be great but the usher is always ready to serve before asking is necessary. We honor our weekend services as a holy event where God’s people worship, experience His presence, share His Word, and surrender to His leading. The usher plays a vital role by helping to maintain order and meeting the needs of the congregation and Pastor.
An usher is a spiritual ambassador for the local church – God’s ordained and organized body of believers. The usher serves as a “first representative” of Jesus Christ for a worship service. Though we thoroughly enjoy the creative edge of our services, make no mistake, this is a holy event where God is meeting with His people. From the tabernacle in the Old Testament to the temple and synagogue in the New Testament, God’s presence and the teaching of His word is of supreme importance. When you serve as an usher, you set the stage for the worship experience. You are literally part of the continuing story of God’s redemption. Your spiritual readiness and act of service plays a huge role in the life-change that takes place that day.
The ushers play a big role as the third and final gateway to the worship experience. If a Hope regular attender, or visitor had a less than positive experience finding their way to Hope International Church and Ministries, an usher can play a significant role in turning that person’s experience around by helping them find not just the right seat but the right frame of mind.