I was hurrying to get to my Wednesday noon Rotary meeting before the program started. I signed in, clipped my Rotary badge on my coat pocket, quickly dipped some vegetables from the buffet line and headed toward the door to the meeting hall.
As I approached, the white coated gentleman who helps with the logistics of the meeting closed the door. The meeting had been called to order, and one of the members was pronouncing the invocation. That would be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Every week at that moment, the door is closed. Noise from late arrivers is not allowed to disturb the prayer or the pledge.
The white coated gentleman stood in front of the door holding the handle. There was no way anyone was getting in the room. Holding our lunch plates, several of us gathered around the door waiting to gain entrance. When the pledge was finished, he opened the door and wished each of us waiting Rotarians a pleasant day.
Inside, the meeting room was crowded. From the back of the room, it was difficult to see an open seat at one of the round tables that filled the room. For a moment I wondered how I would find a seat. Then I noticed another white coated helper. A woman was standing between the tables directing us latecomers to open seats. I ended up on the second row of the main floor. Others were directed toward seats at tables in different parts of the room.
This white coated woman was an important part of the Rotary meeting even though she never said a word. Her job was to help people like me find seats, and she did her job with a professional flair that caused Rotarians to follow her direction without question.
She saved us the personal embarrassment of walking around the room looking for an empty seat and prevented us from disturbing the meeting unnecessarily. All of us appreciated her help.
In Baptist churches, ushers perform functions similar to those of the two Rotary helpers. Ushers help people feel welcome, they distribute needed materials, they assist worshipers in finding seats, they help preserve the decorum of the services. Ushers are an important part of the pastoral ministry team as they serve both members and guests.
In some churches ushers greet guests and pass out worship guides. Both are important functions. A warm word of greeting or a friendly handshake is appreciated whether one is an active member of the church or a first-time guest. And having a worship guide will allow each individual to participate fully in the service.
Other churches ask more of their ushers. When guests arrive, ushers are expected to greet the guests and, in turn, introduce the guests to others in the congregation. Ushers help the guest choose a seat near members of similar age. Ushers are the prime movers in transforming the experience of visiting a church from that of stranger to that of welcome participant.
Sometimes guests come for special occasions such as the baptism of a family member or the dedication of a child. Ushers have to know where family members are sitting so they can help the family sit together for the occasion. That means accompanying the late arrivers to the pews where other family members are sitting. It is not enough to open the door to the church auditorium and let guests wander until they find their relatives.
In fact, no person arriving after a worship service has started should have to walk into an auditorium by one’s self and hunt for a place to sit. In most churches it is the usher’s responsibility to take away any sense of embarrassment the guests may feel by walking in alone. The usher assumes responsibility for helping guests find a seat just like the lady in the white coat did for me at my Rotary meeting.
Some Baptist churches mark their bulletin when people may enter once the service has started, but that is rare. More often it is the usher who is responsible for helping preserve the decorum of the service by monitoring when people enter the auditorium. During prayer times and times of special music, it is not appropriate for people to be entering or leaving. By offering to seat someone as soon as the prayer is over or the solo is completed, the usher helps preserve the worshipfulness of the moment.
Occasionally emergencies occur during services. Again, it is the usher who comes to the rescue. Ushers are to be alert to the needs in the congregation. They are trained in emergency procedures. They are quick to act.
If a medical emergency arises, they know what to do. In a society where violence is no stranger to churches, ushers know what to do should a disturbance occur.
Ushers are important to a church. They enhance the worship experience for all who attend. They are appreciated by all they serve. Let a situation arise when a good usher is needed and is not available, and one quickly sees the value of church ushers.
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