Growing up in church, I have vivid memories of the kindness and faithfulness of ushers in Southern Baptist churches. They were always there with a smile and often a name tag. Their love and generosity abide in my heart to this day.

 

The ushers are a sort of ‘first impression’ on behalf of a church body. Though every

true Christian is hospitable (Rmns. 12:13), ushers show hospitality on behalf of the church family. Just as it is the worship leaders’ role to eliminate distractions and focus on Christ, it is the usher’s job to be a welcoming spirit and body that points people

to the love of Jesus. Church members and visitors come to the gathering with all kinds of joys and sorrows, and everyone comes with a need to see Jesus and be changed

by Him.

 

Ushers have the responsibility and privilege to “seek to show hospitality” (Rmns. 12:13) as a means of helping people worship the Lord Jesus. An usher's kindness, faithfulness, and love manifested in a handshake, a smile, the giving of a bulletin, the passing of an offering plate, the praying with a hurting soul, is a vital way the church loves with intentionality and boldness. I pray that as Baxter develops our role of ushering,

people will see God’s glory and be transformed into the image of Christ from

one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18).