 Purpose of Manual

Purpose of the Manual

This manual is an attempt to focus and address the specific needs that we have as ushers of St. Paul’s Baptist Church. The manual is used as an orientation document for new ushers as well as an informational/refresher document for current ushers.

Membership

Membership shall be available to individuals who have expressed an interest in membership to the board and who are members of St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Junior Usher membership available to youth, ages 8-18 with permission from a parent/guardian church member.

Officers

Officers of this organization consist of President, First Vice-President and Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Marshall, Junior Usher Advisor, Assistant Junior Usher Advisor(s) and the Sunshine Representative. An assistant to any officer may also be elected. These officers shall serve for a term of twenty-four [24] months [Calendar Year, January-December], and remain eligible for re-election at the end of his/her term.

Duties of Officers

President

The duties of the President of the usher board shall be to preside at all meetings of the board, maintain order, discipline and decorum in its deliberation; to enforce the laws and rules of the board; to appoint all committees; to exercise general supervision, over all the business of the board; to supervise generally the performance and duty of all other officers, to exercise a vote only in the event of a tie; to perform such other duties as may be from time to time required to effectuate the purpose of the board.

Vice Presidents

The first Vice President shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of the latter, and such other duties as the President may from time to time appoint. The first Vice President will act as advisor to assigned committees.

The second Vice President shall perform the same in the absence of both President and first Vice President, and such other duties as the president may from time to time appoint. The second Vice President will act as advisor to assigned committees.

Financial Secretary

The Financial Secretary shall receive all money due to the board and shall immediately give it to the treasurer, taking a receipt. Responsibilities: Maintain accurate records of the financial condition of the Board and of the status of its members; permit inspection of the books by authorized persons, including officers, and members at any time; shall surrender the same, in good order, to qualified successor in office; shall accurately record and report a monthly account of receipts, disbursements and totals.

Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall keep and report the minutes of all meetings of the usher board, and perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by the president. Shall be responsible for keeping a record of meeting attendance and reporting information at general meetings in the minutes of the previous meeting.

Corresponding Secretary

The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct all correspondence between the Board and its members and or third persons, including prompt notice of all concerned as to the time and place of meetings, sermons and other activities.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive from the financial secretary all money pertaining to the board, giving receipts; shall pay out money only upon warrants signed by the President and Financial Secretary.

Chaplain

The Chaplain shall provide the spiritual aspect of the board purposes, conduct devotional service at regular meetings, and officiate whenever so requested by the President.

Marshall

The Marshall shall maintain order at all association assemblages and is authorized to deputize ushers to assist at board functions whenever such assistance shall be required.

Youth Usher Advisor

The Youth Usher Advisor has the duty of supervising the activities of Youth Ushers.

Assistant Youth Usher Advisor

The Assistant Youth Usher Advisor has the duty of assisting the Youth Usher Advisor as deemed necessary.

Sunshine Representative

Responsible for sending greeting cards to usher board members who are experiencing illness or bereavement due to the loss of a family member.

The representative can identify affected members by referring to the weekly Sunday bulletin, inquiring during monthly meetings, or by word of mouth from other usher board members or nonmembers.

During the monthly meetings, the representative is to provide status of cards mailed during the month, and budget updates.

Official Committee

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of seven members, among whom shall be the President, both Vice Presidents, the Recording Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Youth Usher advisor. The tenure of the committee is annually. The membership changes according to new officer elections.

Duties of this Committee

The Executive Committee shall direct the policy and activities of the usher board including the general supervision of all business. It considers all matters delegated to it by the President. The committee shall meet at the discretion of the President and the Vice Presidents.

Meetings

General Usher Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings shall be at 1:00pm on the second Sunday of each month.

Training sessions and special meetings may be called by the President, upon due notice to the membership by the Team Leader

The place of meetings shall be at the church unless otherwise specified.

Procedure

The President or Vice President or in their absence the ranking elected officer shall convene the regular business meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall control the conduct of the meeting.

Quorum

The President or Vice President, two other elected officers and twelve members shall constitute a quorum.

Installation

Newly elected officers shall be installed by the Pastor of the church during regular service— date to be announced by Pastor.

Special Committees and Groups

In addition to all committees herein named, the President may appoint such other committees as from time to time may seem appropriate.

Membership Committee

The membership shall consist of a chairperson appointed annually by the President and at least three additional volunteer members, charged with the duty of recruiting new members, presenting new members to the general usher board, and disseminating initial training and orientation materials to the new members.

Procedures / Training Committee

The committee shall consist of a chairperson, appointed by the President and three [3] other members, representing each team. Members shall be responsible for organizing and implement two training sessions per year.

Annual Usher Day Committee

The committee consist of a chairperson appointed by the President annually, and three [3] members charged with planning and coordinating the activities for Annual Usher Day.

Committee Chairpersons—2021

Executive Committee Training Procedures

Annual Usher Day Committee New Membership Ernestine Harris

Ramona Long

Paul Woodburn

James Brown

Dues and Fees

Yearly dues shall be uniform to all adult members except emeritus members who are exempt. Special assessments can be requested, by majority vote.

Nomination, Election and Installation of Officers

The President shall appoint a Nominating committee at the October meeting each year, who shall receive application for nomination to each officer from or in behalf of members in good standing with the usher board. This will render a report to the usher board at the November General Meeting, at which time further nominations may be received from the floor.

Election

The election shall be held at the regular December meeting and shall be by balloting or standing vote.

A majority of votes cast shall elect to office where a nominee is absent at election, in which case a two-thirds majority of votes cast shall be required.

The election shall be conducted by the Secretary, and two members appointed on the day of the election by the President.

WHAT IS AN USHER?

The modern church usher is a different usher from predecessors and the church usher have a wealth of biblical background. Initially, the church usher was a watchman or guard at doors of temples, responsible for collecting offerings of people as they came to worship.

During the 20th century, there was focus on improving the methodology of church ushering. Now church ushering is a systematized art and technical training is available.

Ushering is more than wearing a uniform, gloves and a pin. An usher must know rules, procedures and practice. An usher is a personal representative of Jesus Christ, who meets people on a person-to-person basis when they arrive to church and escorts them to a seat.

The church usher helps the Pastor to make the service a success by putting the congregation in the right frame of mind to receive the Word. The usher meets the people with a pleasant smile, a warm welcome, and directs them to comfortable seats. The usher also sees to it that perfect order is kept in and around the church at all times during the service. [The Universal Church Ushers Manual, George T. Grier, G. & E. Press].

RESPONSIBILITIES OF USHERS

 Arrive at church no later than 10:30 am

 Maintain an attractive appearance

 Dress in designated uniform (neat and pressed)

 Review the bulletin/program

 Help visitors to feel welcomed

 Be attentive to unplanned needs

 Ensure we are an asset to the service, not a distraction

 Signal and receive relief prior to leaving your assigned post

 Follow the direction of the usher in charge

 Keep aisles clear

 Adhere to the agreed seating protocol, only seat in alignment with program

 Avoid leaning against walls and pews

 As our focus is on service, reframe from unnecessary conversation with other ushers and worshipers

 When escorting worshipers to their seat, occasionally glance back to ensure they are following you

 If you are going to be absent please share that information with the President and Usher in

Charge

AN USHER’S PRAYER

“May I, dear Lord in church today, fulfill my assignment in a Christ-like way. Make me efficient in what I do, effective in what I say, understanding by the way I feel about people, and helpful by the attitudes I have toward them. Make me a co-worker with the pastor, the church musicians, the teachers and most of all, Lord, with Thee.

Save me from hurtful words and harmful deeds. Make people glad they came to our church today because the Holy Spirit ministered to their needs through the sermons and prayers of the Pastor, through the music of the choir, through the explanations of teachers and through the ministry of ushers like me. In Christ’s Name, Amen”

Guiding Scripture: Psalms 84:10

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

Usher Covenant

We promise before God and His congregation, to be faithful doorkeepers in His house. To maintain an attractive appearance, never publicly showing frustration, ready always to give a friendly greeting and smile to all who come in to worship. We will be gracious, dignified, and never show signs of displeasure.