The Ushering Ministry at Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) is dedicated to creating a welcoming and orderly environment during worship services and church events. Ushers serve as the first point of contact for congregants and visitors, embodying the spirit of hospitality and service that reflects Christ’s love.
Mission Statement
To facilitate a conducive atmosphere for worship by providing assistance, maintaining order, and extending hospitality to all attendees.
Key Objectives
- Intercession: Interceding for each worshipper as they enter the sanctuary and the whole service, binding forces of darkness and ushering people into the presence of God
- Order Maintenance: Facilitating orderliness and maintaining a conducive environment for the pulpit ministry to ensure services proceed smoothly by minimizing disruptions and addressing any issues promptly.
- General Assistance: Offering information that will facilitate the congregation’s reasonable comfort while in the church precincts as well as providing help at any point of need for the pastoral team and congregation
- Warm Reception: Greet and welcome attendees, ensuring they feel valued and comfortable upon arrival.
- Seating Assistance: Facilitating fluid, friendly and comfortable entry, sitting and worship in the Sanctuary and guiding individuals to appropriate seating, optimizing space utilization and accommodating special needs.
- Offering Collection: Organize and manage the collection of tithes and offerings in an orderly and respectful manner as well as handing them over with their verified records.
- Security: Offering watchful vigilance over worshipper’s belongings and the church equipment and infrastructure during service.
- Emergency Response: Be prepared to assist in emergencies, providing guidance and support to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Activities and Programs
- Service Preparation: Arrive early to prepare the sanctuary, distribute bulletins, and ensure all materials are in place.
- Greeting and Seating: Welcome attendees, distribute service materials, and assist with seating arrangements.
- Offering Collection: Coordinate the collection of offerings during services, following established protocols.
- Communion Assistance: Aid in the orderly distribution of communion elements during services.
- Special Event Support: Provide ushering services during weddings, funerals, conferences, and other church events.
- Provide Assistance: Aid the congregation and the pastoral team.
Key Events
- Usher Training Workshops: Regular sessions to equip ushers with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective service.
- Annual Appreciation Banquet: An event to honor and appreciate the dedication and service of ushering team members.
- Community Outreach Initiatives: Participate in outreach programs, extending hospitality beyond the church walls.
- Emergency Preparedness Drills: Training to ensure ushers are equipped to handle emergencies during services.
Biblical Foundation
The Ushering Ministry is grounded in biblical principles of service and hospitality:
- “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” – Psalm 84:10
- “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
- “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
- “But all things should be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
Integration into the Larger CITAM Family
The Ushering Ministry collaborates closely with other departments, such as the Welcome and Protocol Ministries, to ensure a seamless and welcoming experience for all church attendees. This integration enhances the overall worship experience and fosters a cohesive church community.
Requirements to Join
- Born Again: Any person interested to join must be born again
- Active Membership: Be a registered and active member of CITAM.
- Commitment to Service: Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and a willingness to serve regularly during services and events.
- Temperate: Should not lose their physical, psychological and spiritual orientation whatever the circumstances.
- Orderly Humble and Respectable: Must live a well-ordered life, being of good behavior and respectable which means being organized or well arranged.
- Friendly Disposition and Hospitable: Possess a warm and approachable demeanor to make attendees feel welcome and show hospitability to those in need.
- Able to Teach and Minister: Must be able to defend and commend the Gospel of Christ publicly (Titus 1:9). He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught and encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
- Team Collaboration: Work effectively with other ministry members to provide cohesive ushering services.
- Willingness to Learn: Participate in training sessions to enhance ushering skills and knowledge.
How to Contribute to Our Mission
- Prayer Support: Pray for the ministry’s effectiveness and for the spiritual growth of its members.
- Volunteer Assistance: Offer your time to assist with ushering duties during services and events.
- Resource Provision: Contribute resources such as ushering materials or uniforms to support ministry activities.
- Encourage Participation: Motivate fellow congregants to engage with and support the Ushering Ministry’s initiatives.
Recurrent Meetings
- Weekly Briefings: Regular meetings to plan and coordinate activities for upcoming services and events.
- Monthly Training Sessions: Ongoing training to enhance skills and ensure alignment with ministry objectives.
- Quarterly Evaluations: Assessments to review performance and identify areas for improvement.
Contact Details
For more information or to get involved with the Ushering Ministry, please contact the ministry leader at your local CITAM assembly or visit the official CITAM website: www.citam.org.
Through the Ushering Ministry, CITAM strives to create an environment where every individual feels valued, loved, and part of the church family, reflecting Christ’s love to all who enter.