Why Be An Usher

“WHY BE AN USHER?”

PSALMS 84:10

WE HAVE STOPPED BY THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE WITH OUR FRIENDS AT _____________ IN THEIR ANNUAL USHER DAY PROGRAM. A TIME THAT IS SET ASIDE TO HONOR AND APPRECIATE THE DILIGENCE AND WORK THAT THOSE ON THE USHER STAFF HAVE GIVEN. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION, “WHY BE AN USHER?” WHY TAKE THE ABUSE, THE SMART REMARKS, THE UNCOOPERATIVE BEHAVIOR OF SOME OUR PEOPLE?

I WANT TO KNOW THIS EVENING JUST WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A PERSON PUT THEMSELVES IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF FAME AND FORTUNE. NOR IS IT BECAUSE OF MONEY OR BEING SEEN. I WONDER THIS EVENING AS I LOOK AROUND AT ALL THESE USHERS, JUST WHAT MAKES A PERSON WANT THE JOB OF AN USHER. FIRST OF ALL IN ORDER TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS LET US TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT AN USHER DOES.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF AN USHER? ACCORDING TO THE NEW WEBSTER’S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY AN USHER IS SOMEONE WHO ESCORTS PEOPLE TO THEIR SEATS.” BROTHERS AND SISTERS I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IS SUCH A SIMPLE DEFINITION FOR SOMEONE WHO’S JOB IS SO MUCH MORE COMPLEX. I WONDER AS WE LOOK AT AN USHER DO WE ONLY SEE A SEAT FINDER.

I TELL YOU AN USHER IN OUR CHURCHES IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A SEAT FINDER. THEY ARE THE MEETERS AND GREETERS TO OUR SERVICE. THEY ARE A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST WHO MEET PEOPLE ON A PERSON-TO-PERSON BASIS WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE AT CHURCH. THEY ARE THE ONE’S WHOSE SMILE AND WARM WELCOME HELP TO SET THE TONE FOR OUR WORSHIP.

AS A FARMER PREPARES THE SOIL FOR PLANTING, SO DOES AN USHER HELP PREPARE THE PROPER ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO A GENUINE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST TO GREET AN INDIVIDUAL, THE USHER MAKES THE INITIAL IMPRESSION FOR THE CHURCH. A DISCOURTEOUS SCOWL OF A DISINTERESTED NOD FROM AN USHER CAN SPOIL THE ENTIRE SERVICE FOR MEMBERS WHO ATTEND ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FOR VISITORS.

THEY ARE THE ONE’S WHO HELP KEEP THINGS RUNNING AND IN ORDER. PAUL SAID IN 1CORINTHIANS 14:40 “LET ALL THINGS BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.” IT IS THE USHERS JOB TO MAKE SURE AND SEE TO THE SERVICES BEING ORDERLY AND WITHOUT DISTURBANCE. IF SOMEONE NEEDS SEATING, THE USHER FINDS ONE IN A TIMELY MANNER. IF SOMEONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE, THE USHER PROVIDES IT. IF SOMEONE IS DISTURBING THE SERVICE, IT IS THE USHER’S JOB TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

IT IS THE USHER’S JOB TO KNOW WHEN TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO ENTER THE SANCTUARY AND WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT. THE USHER DOES THIS JOB EVEN WHEN SOME ARE NOT RECEPTIVE TO THEIR EFFORTS. THE USHER IS THE ONLY PERSON WHOSE FUNCTIONS CANNOT BE REPLACED OR OMITTED. THERE ARE SERVICES WHERE TEACHING HAS BEEN OMITTED. THERE HAVE BEEN SERVICES WHERE NO CHOIRS HAVE SUNG. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN SERVICES WITHOUT PREACHING.

BUT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE WORK OF USHERS IN ANY CHURCH SERVICE REGARDLESS OF ITS CHARACTER. IN WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, REVIVALS, INSTITUTES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS, USHERS ARE PRESENT. THEY ARE THERE TO MEET, GREET, GUIDE AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO ENTER INTO THE SANCTUARY. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT ROLES TO HANDLE SO MANY DIFFERENT TASKS TO TAKE ON.

I ASK YOU ONCE AGAIN; “WHY BE AN USHER?” WELL I COME TO ENCOURAGE YOUR HEARTS AND TO TELL YOU THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO BE AN USHER IS THAT IT IS YOUR MINISTRY. THE USHER’S MANUAL BY LESLIE PARROTT, INFORMS US THAT ANY ACT OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE WHICH HELPS DIRECT MEN AND WOMEN INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST IS A MINISTRY. THE FIRST MOST PROMINENT MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH IS PREACHING.

THE SECOND IS TEACHING. THE THIRD IS MUSIC AND THE FOURTH IS USHERING. THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE SEPARATE IMPORTANCE, LET US REALIZE THAT EACH ONE NEEDS THE OTHER. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. THE PREACHERS, TEACHERS, MUSICIANS AND USHERS ALL NEED EACH OTHER.

THE MINISTRY OF USHERING IS LIKE SALT WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING MORE TASTEFUL AND WHICH SERVES AS A GENERAL PRESERVATIVE AGAINST DETERIORATION. A GOOD USHER ADDS A TANG OF JOY TO A CHURCHGOER’S SUNDAY MORNING EXPERIENCE INSTEAD OF A DRY DULLNESS. JUST AS SALT IS SILENT, INCONSPICUOUS AND SOMETIMES COMPLETELY UNNOTICED SO ARE USHERS. BUT THEY ARE THERE IN A MOST POWERFUL WAY.

A GOOD USHER IS LIKE A LAMP ON A STAND WHICH BRINGS WARMTH AND WELCOME TO ALL WHO ENTER THE ROOM. THE MINISTRY OF AN USHER IS NOT TO BRING GLORY TO HIMSELF BUT TO GOD. OUR TEXT SAYS I HAD RATHER BE A DOORKEEPER IN THE HOUSE OF MY GOD. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE PSALMIST WOULD SAY THIS? WHY WOULD HE WANT TO BE AN USHER? COULD IT HAVE BEEN THAT IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD HE EXPERIENCED THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD?