Tim Massengale
GUIDELINES FOR USHERS, HOSTESS, AND TEAM CAPTAINS
A. Ushers – Job Description
1. REQUIREMENTS
a. Must be an example of Christian character.
b. Must have proven faithful in all prior church work.
c. Must have a good personality and be well groomed.
d. Must be full of the Holy Ghost and faithful in giving.
e. Must be able to arrive early before service.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Responsible for being well groomed and dressed.
b. Always have good breath! (Please don’t chew gum)
c. Make a good first impression on all visitors.
d. Be sure to come early to PRAY!
e. Always wear your Usher’s badge.
f. Be at your post 30 min. before service begins. If visitors have already arrived (often happens) be sure to greet them.
g. BE FAITHFUL! Call your team captain if you will be late or absent Always find a replacement to take your place.
h. Always display a warm and cordial smile.
i. Speak to folks by name if you know them. Learn new converts names.
j. Always keep your eye open for vacant seats.
k. Try to greet visitors as they are coming INTO the Sanctuary. The Hostess should introduce them to you.
l. Always extend a firm handshake unless their hands are full.
m. When ever you see parents with a small child or baby, be sure to mention the Church nursery. (or S.S. classes)
n. Introduce yourself to all visitors. Example:
“Praise the Lord” My name is” (Let them respond)”The Lord bless you! So good to have you with us this morning. Let me help you find a seat.
o. Always ask the visitor if they know anyone that attends the church here. If they do, ask if they wish to sit by them.
p. If not try to seat visitors about mid-way down.(a special reserved area is being considered) Say “We have an excellent location about half way down this aisle,(point) would that be alright?”
q. Use discretion who you sit visitors by.
r. Don’t just point them to a seat, TAKE them to the seat!
s. Don’t walk too fast or too far ahead of them.
t. Upon arriving at the seat stop and say “is this satisfactory?”
u. If they accept say “If I can be of any more help, please let me know” Smile, nod your head, and return to your post.
v. Try to introduce them to someone sitting near.
w. Make sure a song book is available.
x. Place the seating location of all visitors on the seating location map.
y. Remain on duty through out the service.
z. Rotate at standing by all sanctuary exits.
aa. Do not allow children to wander repeatedly in and out of service.
bb. If you observe children or teenagers talking, etc. discreetly ask them to be quiet.
cc. Make sure you turn in your badge before you leave.
dd. If you are assigned to close up, USE THE CHECK-OFF LIST! Don’t check unless you have done it.
ee. Don’t rush folks in close-up. Fellowship is important.
ff. Be faithful to all monthly ushering staff meetings.
B. Hostess – Job Description
1. REQUIREMENTS
a. Must be an example of Christian character.
b. Must have proven faithful in all prior church work.
c. Must have a good personality and be well groomed.
d. Must be full of the Holy Ghost and faithful in giving.
e. Must be able to arrive early before service.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Responsible for being well groomed and dressed.
b. Always have good breath (Please don’t chew gum)
c. Make a good first impression on all visitors.
d. Be sure to come early to PRAY!
e. Always wear your Hostess badge.
f. Be at your post 30 min. before service begins. If visitors have already arrived (often happens) be sure to greet them and ask them to fill out a guest card at their seat.
g. BE FAITHFUL! Call your team captain if you will be late or absent. Always find a replacement to take your place.
h. Set up your portable podium and get your supplies ready.(Guest cards, pens, and brochures)
i. Always display a warm and cordial smile.
j. Speak to folks by name if you know them. Learn new converts names.
k. Try to greet visitors as they are coming INTO the vestibule. Stand so that you can see them coming clearly.
l. Always extend a firm handshake (unless their hands are full)
m. Introduce yourself to all visitors. Example:
“Praise the Lord! My name is ” (let them respond)
“The Lord bless you! So good to have you with us this morning. Can we ask you to fill out one of our guest cards? (direct them toward the guest podium)
n. Make sure that the guest card is filled out completely. Ask them specific questions if any part is left blank. (be cordial)
o. Tell them “thank-you” and give them a visitor packet or brochure.
p. When ever you see parents with a small child or baby, be sure to mention the Church nursery.(or S.S. classes)
q. Introduce them to an usher, letting the guest know that he will assist them in finding a seat.
r. Remain at your posts until the end of song service.
s. Put your hostess supplies and podium away before you are seated.
t. Be faithful to all monthly ushering staff meetings.
C. Usher Team Captain – Job Description
1. REQUIREMENTS
a. Must be an example of Christian character.
b. Must have proven faithful in all prior church work.
c. Must have a good personality and be well groomed.
d. Must be full of the Holy Ghost and faithful in giving.
e. Must be able to arrive early before service.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. The Team Captain should be one of the first to arrive. If you cannot do this, have someone on your team take this responsibility.
b. The air/heat and baptistery heater should already be on. If it is not turn on the power blowers and baptistery first thing.
c. Go through the Check-in list and open up the church. Don’t forget to put your name and date at the top!
d. Prayer room time is a must.
e. In the event of an uninformed absences, always try to find a replacement.
f. Make casual mention to your team members of any grooming or dress violations.
g. Make sure all your team members have badges. Count your badges to insure all are collected.
h. Make sure all visitors names are placed on the seating location list and that this list is taken to the Pastor during the offering.
i. Insure there is adequate personnel to take up the offering.
j. All ushers should step down the isle at the same time to take the offering.
k. If seating capacity exceeds 90%, open overflow seating facilities.
l. Be on the alert for any emergency situations. Take full charge and handle the problem discreetly.
m. Have your ushers rotate to check the parking lot about every 15-20 min. Halls and vestibule should be clear also. This is very important.
n. Make sure the sanctuary doorkeepers rotate through out the service.
o. Assign someone to close up. The check-off list MUST be used. Don’t check it off unless you have done it.
p. Security lights outside should be left on.
q. Observe all other responsibilities that are on the ushers job description.
r. Attend monthly ushers staff meetings.
Emergency Procedures
1. If an unusual person tries to go onto the platform:
The instant they make an aggressive move toward the platform , a large group should begin to move. Restrain, but never strike! Overwhelm them with numbers.
2. Someone gets loud or insulting:
Ask them to be quiet ONCE, then ask them to leave.
3. Someone pulls a gun:
Three types of people will pull a weapon in a public place:
A. Show of Authority. You will see the gun. He will wave it around. He is using the gun to make a statement. DO NOT RUSH OR TRY TO SUBDUE! They will make a statement/rob people, then leave. Call police immediately. Help pastor calm people.
B. After an Individual. You will normally never NEVER see the gun until after it is fired (or too late to stop). DO NOT RUSH OR SUBDUE. They will normally run out or commit suicide. Call police and ambulance immediately.
C. Mad Man or Maniac. Fires randomly at anyone or everyone. GET DOWN! If you have the chance, subdue with force. Call police and ambulance immediately!
4. Fire breaks out:
Outside – Get fire extinguishers immediately. If unable to contain, call Fire Department(sound room).
Inside – Same as above. If unable to contain, send note to platform, call Fire Department.
5. Someone requires medical attention:
If they can walk, assist them out of sanctuary. Get one of the following individuals: Jeff or Gilmer Phillips, Mark Green, Margaret Marritt, Debbie Oswald. Call ambulance if needed.
6. Emergency Phone Call for individual or Pastor.
Give a note to the person immediately.
(The original source and/or publisher of the above material is unknown.)
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