THE MINISTRY OF THE TOWEL The Role of an Usher Welcome to The Ministry of the Towel. “ Usher ” is more than a title; it is a call. Jesus took up a towel, knelt before His disciples, and washed their feet. John 13 He was demonstrating that true leadership begins with humility and servitude. Author: Stephanie McFarlan The Holy Church of Christ 41 Sage Street Central Islip, NY 11722 Bishop James E. Sims, Founder Bishop Barbara J. Sims, Pastor 631 - 234 - 6799 631 - 234 - 6462 fax hcocministries41@yahoo.com Table of Contents 1. Introduction: The H eart B ehind the T owel 2. The R ole of an U sher 3. Biblical Foundation of Serving 4. Spiritual Posture Before Physical Position 5. Practical Responsibiliti es 6. Dress Code and Appearance 7. Communication and Teamwork 8. Handling Difficult Situations – Real S cenarios 9. Frequently Asked Questions 10. Final Charge to Serve like Jesus 11. The Holy Church of Christ’s CREED 1. Introduction: The Heart Behind the Towel God has given many gifts to edify the body of Christ. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, adminis tering, and various kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 28 Ushering is a gift from God. It is a call to serve. Ushers are called to serve with humility and grace. What does the towel represent ? The towel represents servanthood, humility, and love in action. The towel is a symbol of the heart of a servant. Jesus, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, took the towel, knelt and began to wash other’s feet. Jesus demonstrated a task that is to be performed by the lowliest of persons and performed it Himself. This is an indication that titles mean nothing and serving with humility means everything. A daily reminder : The Ministry of the Towel is not a one - time act. It is a lifestyle of surrender and service. It is a lifestyle to greet, embrace, listen attentively, move with compassion, correction, and more. It is a lifestyle to be supportive. 2. The Role of an Usher Who is an usher ? An usher is a servant - leader called to create a warm, safe space and welcoming environment in God’s house. However, this role is not limited to the House of the Lord, but it is a lifestyle. The more you serve in God’s house, the more you will find yourself serving others in the marketplace, your home, and anywhere you go. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10 It is an honor to stand in God’s presence and welcome others into it. It is not a demeaning position; it is a sacred trust. Others trust you to lead order. To change the atmosphere. Different personalities enter God’s house. Some may have just come out of an argument or physical fight. As an usher, you are charged to change the atmosphere. To change their attitude by welcoming them with an embrace, words of encouragement, or a simple smile. 3. Biblical Foundation of Serving Serving is the Heart of God and the blueprint of humility. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Mark 10:45 We serve because Jesus served We serve because God calls us to love in action We serve because it builds His Kingdom. We serve because we are faithful and obedient to the call. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:26 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace...” 1 Peter 4:10 4. Spiritual Posture before Physical Posture Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7. Before an usher is at the door, or holds a basket for offering, or guides someone to their seat, ushers must prepare their hearts. What is going on internally matters more than how we perform externally. Ushers must serve from the heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people. Ephesians 6:7 Check your spirit before you take your station! Above all else, guard your heart, for everything flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 Ask yourself - ➢ Am I serving in Love or serving to be seen? ➢ Am I holding grudges? ➢ Do I murmur against the leaders? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I suggest you go back to the alter and have God purge your heart. Spiritual Posture Physical Posture Prayer Standing at the door Wearing humility Wearing a uniform Show compassion Give direction Listen to the spirit Monitor the room 5. Practical Responsibilities of an Usher i. Greeting and Welcoming – Ushers/greeters change the atmosphere. Arrive 15 minutes before service to pray. Ushers are spiritual gatekeepers. They are silent intercessors. Their attitude will change the atmosphere conducive to the entering of the Holy Spirit. Before you are on po st, you are required to pray. Prayer is a spiritual posture that invites God into the room. It aligns your heart with His. Prayer is spiritual strength to withstand attacks from the enemy. People come into the sanctuary with demonic spirits, and the usher s must be prayed up and equipped to handle these attacks and guard against distractions. ii. Seat guests – You escort the guest to their seat and try to keep balanced seating. Try to avoid seating guests on one side but even the seating arrangements. Encourage them to sit close, but if they refuse, do not force them. Note: Be mindful where members/guests are seated if they are in the choir. New guests may arrive and take the choir member’s seat. iii. Assist during Service – Some guests may need assistance in walking or using the restroom. Be compassionate and gracious in assisting. iv. Handling Emergencies and Order - Be observant as some guests may suffer from low blood sugar. Be prepared to assist them in getting a glass of orange juice or beverage to bring their sugar back up to normal levels. Be alert as some guest may suffer from seizures. Take CPR classes to be equipped to serve in case of an emergency. v. Punctual – This is spiritual discipline! People who are on time are seen as trustworthy, better prepared, and dependable leaders. vi. Pulpit Ready – Mints, water, glasses, should be supplied in advance before service and not setting up during service. vii. Offering – Invite the pulpit to the offering first, the left side, and then the right side [e.g., The usher who calls the offering would stand in front of the offering table facing the side she called. The saints would pass in front of her and return to their seat as they pass behind her. The same goes for the right side ] viii. Clean the sanctuary with loose bibles, fans, etc. ix. Alter Call – Never, handle soiled tissues directly. Always take a paper towel or tissues to handle the soiled tissue. 1. If an individual has a short skirt, take the prayer cloth to wrap it around her waist before she gets to the alter. Doing this while she is praying becomes a distraction to her spirit. Allow her to be free without distractions. 2. Pray during the alter call. Demonic spirits are released, and the usher is required to pray to help the leaders against these demonic attacks. 6. Dress Code and Appearance There is a saying, the First impression is lasting, or the First impression is the last impression. This holds true for ushers, nurses, greeters. We are the first representatives the guests see as they enter the sanctuary. You are taken seriously when performing your duty in your uniform. The HCOC uniform dress code is an all white dress, white stockings, white shoes. Large hoop earrings, heavy makeup, heavy jewelry, is prohobited. Your dress is to be below the knees, and not tight. Your uniform is to be cleaned and pressed. Look at the images. The look impressive because they are in uniform and uniformed. You know when you have to usher. Have your uniformed prepared and have one prepared in case you have to usher out of schedule. This is the heart of an usher. 7. Communication and Teamwork Communicate to the Usher President if you are unable to usher. Try to reschedule with another usher to switch schedules. Let your ‘ yes ’ b e ‘ yes ’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Matthew 5:37 Failing to communicate it could be interpreted as: ➢ Lack of respect, responsibility and lack of spiritual maturity. ➢ It gives the impression, “someone will cover for me” attitude ➢ Lack of commitment which is opposite the heart of a servant. ➢ Poor planning or prioritization (unless an emergency) Do nothing out of selfish ambition...but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 - 4 It is required that those who have been given trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 When you communicate When you DON’T communicate Dependable Can’t be counted on Respect leadership Disregard authority Value the team Leave others burdened Honor your role Treat ministry casually 8. Handling Difficult and Sensitive Situations Scenario #1 - People love newborns and babies. They pass the baby from one side to the next, while service is going on. ➢ Walk to the parent(s) and say, your baby is beautiful, I too, wish I could hold her/him, but the pastor is preaching, so I have to ask you to refrain from passing this bundle of joy until after service. Okay? Thank you Scenario #2 - Children love to play with the blinds , Bibles, fans, etc., while the parent is trying to worship and may overlook what the child is doing. ➢ Approach the parent and offer a color book and crayon to the parent. Note : If this is constant, for future, escort the parent to be seated in the back and explain that it would be better to be seated away from the blinds and offer a color book and crayon to the child. Scenario #3 - It is opening prayer and saints want to walk in or out during prayer. ➢ Ask them to refrain from walking and explain that there is no walking during prayer. If it is an emergency, you cannot force them to wait after prayer. Scenario #4 – People will get up, and cross over others continually during service, especially during convention. You ask them to refrain from excessive movement or suggest they sit in the back to avoid distracting others from worship. They will become combative, but you must remain poised, and firm. Problem solving! Don’t be afraid to approach people. Be respectful, graceful, and professional. 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Ushers are asked many questions that they should know the answer 1. Where are the restrooms ? There is a gender - neutral restroom in the foyer. There is a women’s restroom and men’s restroom downstairs. 2. What are the services ? Sunday School, morning worship, and Tuesday night Bible study. Occasionally, we may have Sunday afternoon service and/or Friday night services 3. What time do services begin ? Sunday School 10 am, morning service 11 am, Tuesday Bible Study 7 pm on ZOOM: ID 846 968 0894 Password: HCOC41 4. What is the church’s email address ? hcocministries@yahoo.com 5. What is the church’s fax number ? 631 - 234 - 6462 6. What are the pantry hours ? M – F from 1 1:00 am to 1 pm 7. Is transportation available and if yes , who do I contact ? Bro. Noel Campbell, President Transportation at 631 - 234 - 6799 8. Do you know where the defibrillator is located ? On the wall in the pulpit under the bishop’s picture. 9. Do you know how to use a defibrillator ? https://youtu.be/UFvL7wTFzl0?si=EWD - D7kAKUkAd9a4 10. Do you know where the First - Aid Kit is located ? Downstairs next to the soda machine. 11. Have you taken a CPR class ? cpr classess in suffolk county - Search 12. Have you taken Mental Health First - Aid Classes ? Mental Health First Aid 13. Do you know the history of the church ? Holy Church of Christ begin in 1979. To speak of the history of The Holy Church of Christ is to talk about the foundation built by our founder, Bishop James E. Sims, M, Div. In 1980, Bishop Sims purchased and renovated our current edifice. Shortly after the renovation, the church was established under his leadership. Many souls have been saved, baptized in the name of Jesus, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Because of his faithfulness, lives have been tou ched, healed, and delivered. Bishop Sims' vision superseded meeting the needs of the spiritual man. It encompassed meeting the needs of the WHOLE man: mind, body, soul, and spirit. As a result of this mandate, the food pantry and the soup kitchen was birth ed in 1983. Bishop Sims established the vacation bible school, and the Holy Church of Christ summer youth camp, which is in conjunction with the Department of Labor. These programs gave low - income youth opportunities in high school, college undergraduate, and graduate schools who lives in the community affording them the opportunity to work in the student worksite experience program (SWEP). These programs have continued to be in full operation since its inception. The church has expanded its participation with the career One - Stop Workforce employment and training programs under the U.S. Department of Labor. 10. Final Charge to Serve like Christ Being an usher is not just a person at the door post, but it is an intercessor to stand in the gap. It is a position of spiritual readiness. You carry more than a smile, but you carry the heart of Christ – to serve with humility. You are not just on the schedule; you are on assignment. You are not just a door keeper, but you are a spiritual gatekeeper You do not serve for applause, but you serve from the cross. You wear a badge, but you carry the towel of service, humility, sacrifice, and love. Ushers should always have the attitude that “I get to do this” and not “I have to do this.” Remember, you are the ones who are charged with shifting the atmosphere conducive to invoking the spirit of the Lord. Your work is valued in the Kingdom. Blessings, The Usher /Hospitality Department 11. The Holy Church of Christ ’s CREED We, The Holy Church of Christ, believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. As a church body, we will put God first and understand that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is our beginning and end. We come together to meet the ministry's needs, support our leaders and dedicate our lives to our founders’ vision. We will serve our church by being faithful, loyal, and committed to our church services. We will be honest in our tithes and offerings. We will be an example within our community to proclaim that Jesus is Lord! It is our endeavor as a body of believers to serve God, uphold our church, and live a lifestyle conducive to a child of God, one who lives in fear of our Lord and Savior. We will do so with the help of God, always remembering that I am my brother's and sis ter's keeper. We will defend God’s Word. We will inspire the people of God to Spiritual Growth and personal improvement. We understand that we are the instruments for God to use. We will let nothing separate us from the Love of God, and we will always stri ve to do good. May God Bless us All