Poems of an church usher how to#

For James, a living faith” is essential to making a difference in the world. It is filled with practical advice for living as a Christian ought. The book of James is the “wisdom” epistle of the New Testament.

Poems of an church usher how to#

It also addresses how to deal with confrontation, challenges, and a call to commitment to live like Christ. This letter could be considered a mini how-to book on Christian living. The Epistle of James addresses several issues, particularly relationships and how faith in Jesus needs to affect one’s behavior amid those relationships. Finally, although most nurses in hospitals in the United States no longer wear hats, many in African American churches still do. Youth were even trained to be nurses guild members and were recognized in churches by candy striper outfits similar to those of days gone by that were worn in hospitals by young volunteers.Īlthough many nurses guild members may not have medical training or be nurses, it is now common for church nurses to be certified in CPR.

A member of the guild was ready on the spot usually with smelling salt (we all called it smelling sauce). They were responsible for first-aid stations in churches and called upon if persons became ill and if they fainted. Also, over time, nurses began to do more than just assist clergy in the pulpit. Over time, as more churches gained more than one or two nurses, the phrase nurses guild gained common usage. Occasionally these were former nurses who had retired from working in hospitals. Historically, by and large, it appears that they have always operated under the auspices of usher boards and primarily assisted clergy in the pulpit. Melissa Evers, who prepared the Lectionary Commentary for Ushers and Nurses Guild Day for the Lectionary in 2012, provides information on the history of church nurses guilds:Īs far as I have been able to determine, nurses guilds have been in black churches for about 70 years. The term doorkeeper lasted for centuries today doorkeepers are called church ushers. Obed-edom and Jehiah also were gatekeepers of the Ark. According to 1 Chronicles 15:23, Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the Ark of the Covenant. Throughout the Scriptures we can find ushers called by various titles: watchmen (2 Samuel 18:24-27), porters (1 Chronicles 9:17-18), and doorkeepers (1 Chronicles 15:2-23). The Levites were set aside from among the congregation of the children of Israel to perform those specific tasks. The Tribe of Levi also served as guards and protected the Temple there were various entrances for various groups. They were to oversee all the vessels and any other items of the Temple. They were to have the place of worship ready for the Priest to enter.

The first ushers operated under the leadership of the Tribe of Levi as they were given instructions for the upkeep of the Temple. God directed Moses in the wilderness of Sinai to organize the first great group of ushers. I believe the history of ushering can be traced to the Bible.

As 1 Corinthians 12:40 says, Let all things be done decently and in order. Ushers have a great responsibility and are to do their duty with diligence and decency. Church ushers stand as sentinels of the house of God at all times during a worship service and during other church rituals. An usher is an official of the church he or she serves, an official whose business it is to seat persons and to aid them when possible.Īn usher is also forerunner, for his or her responsibility is to make sure the worship place is ready before the clergy and congregation enter-they prepare the way. He or she must be well-trained in all aspects of the techniques of Church ushering. Church ushers must be Christ-like and have a spirit of meekness and humility. In order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of Church ushering, a Church usher must first and foremost be a Christian. Introduction – What Is a Church Usher?Īccording to the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc.’s School of Ushering Manual, the Ministry of Church ushering is a sacred and powerful responsibility. Usher Board Ministry and Youth Ministry leader, St. Louella McIntosh, Guest Cultural Resource Commentator Church (Newark, NJ) Joint Usher Board Ministry