Guest Services
The ministry of the usher goes far beyond opening a door. The principle function of an usher is to represent Christ to all that come to worship at the church. In a sense, ushers serve as the host of the building.
Ushers in the Old Testament were gatekeepers (doorkeepers). Their functions included receiving collections from the people (2 Kings 22:4) and they were responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 9:19). In the New Testament they were generally responsible for handling the crowds which is what ushers do in today’s churches. Jesus used his disciples as ushers on many occasions when they prepared the way for his coming and they directed the people who had come to hear him. On one occasion Jesus directed the disciple in organizing a congregation of five thousand men plus women and children to be seated in groups of fifty. Then after Jesus supplied the loaves and fish, the disciples served the hungry multitude.
When people come to church, they may not meet the Bishop or any of the pastors so their impression of the church may come from their contact with ushers. When you think about that you see that ushers bear an awesome responsibility.
