#History of ushers in the black church series#

They were not trusted and the white church members did not want to touch their They also wore the white gloves because again Slaves were asked to put their arms behind theirīacks so they could be watched to be sure they were not stealing the money Anyhow growing up we were told that this was an old slave Is hard to verify because it is information that was passed on from generation 'I'm from the hills of Alabama and some information like this Why Ushers Wore White Gloves by Ann Brock, February 4, 2018

Thanks to the publisher of this embedded YouTube video.Ĭlick the 'Black Church Procession' tag for more pancocojams posts on this subject. The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.Īll copyrights remain with their owners.

That article excerpt also includes a section on the ushers' Grand March. Part III showcases a video of a Church Ushers Grand March and showcases an article excerpt about the roles of the Black Church ushers. Part I presents a video of Black church ushers and presents excerpts from three articles about African American church ushers.Ĭlick for Part III of this pancocojams series. This post also presents some theories about why African American ushers wear gloves as part of their usher attire.Ĭlick for Part I of this pancocojams series. This post showcases a video of African American ushers marching during an annual church Usher Day.

#History of ushers in the black church series#

An usher’s theme verse could very well be Psalm 84:10, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.Edited by Azizi Powell This is Part II of a pancocojams series on African American church ushers. A church usher has a true love for the people of the church and a desire to promote an atmosphere of reverence and worship in the house of God. The heart of an usher is the heart of a servant, and he does his work for his Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:24). It is an honorable position in the church, requiring integrity, cordiality, and wisdom. It is important that an usher be friendly, honest, and willing to serve. In many ways, the ushers are the “face” of the church, the first ones that people see when they arrive and the last ones they see as they leave. In many churches, the ushers will then make sure that the sanctuary is tidy, the thermostat is adjusted, and the lights are shut off.Īlthough the position of “usher” is not mentioned in the Bible, ushers today provide an invaluable service to the local church body.

In case of an emergency, the ushers will take the lead in getting people to safety in an orderly manner.Īfter the service, ushers will again be at the door to greet the congregation as they leave and provide assistance as needed. Some churches appoint an usher or two to monitor the facility, including the parking lot, to prevent vandalism, theft, or other wrongdoing.Ĭhurch ushers are well versed in emergency procedures. Ushers stand ready to assist anyone in the congregation who might need help, to aid latecomers in finding a seat, and to inform those in the sanctuary of any urgent matters. Ushers have a goal of minimizing distractions during the music and sermon. In some churches, ushers also help with the Lord’s Table. They are responsible to take up the church offering and make sure it is put in the proper place. Often, the ushers will escort people to the proper nursery or Sunday school classroom, especially if the church building is a large one.ĭuring the church service, the ushers usually take part in some way. They are also available to answer visitors’ questions and extend extra help in seating those who need the assistance. As the churchgoers arrive, the ushers will act as doorkeepers, greeting each person with a smile, shaking hands, and handing out bulletins. Some churches provide a pin or name tag of some kind to easily identify their ushers.īefore the church service starts, the ushers will often have the responsibility to check the thermostat, check the restrooms, make sure the hymnals are placed correctly, and prepare the bulletins for distribution. The specific responsibilities of an usher vary with the church, but his duties usually include greeting people as they arrive for the service, assisting people with special needs, and collecting the offering. A church usher is a person who helps ensure a smoothly running church service and who ministers to people in a variety of practical ways.