Serving opportunities at CCSH
We have some awesome ministry opportunities that have become available here at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour . They are in the area of ushering and greeting.
Both these ministries require servant hearts and a great love for the people of CCSH. Below are listed the serving duties of both ministries for your information. If you would like to be considered to serve in either of these ministries, please see our Deacon, Thomas Woodage, with your details and he will discuss further with you what is required.
Bless you – Keith
Ushering at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour
Prepare your heart prior to coming to church that you may be led and anointed by God to serve, bless and protect the people of God.
On arriving early to church – meet with the other ushers prior to any ministry and have a time of prayer together. Ushers would be well prepared to arrive at church at least 30 minutes before the service commences. This will give you time to pray and prepare for any significant events, setting up or other matters that may be happening on the day of your serving.
Please ensure your attire and grooming gives the image to any newcomers as well as regular attendees, that you are presenting yourself as Christ would have you put your best presentation.
1. Check seats are in order; lights are on and prepare air conditioning to prepare the rooms before the majority of people arrive. Important point is that the church air-conditioning needs to be monitored throughout the services to adjust for changes in temperature and the number of people.
2. Check with the Pastors if there are any special plans, changes or preparations required for your time of serving.
3. As people begin arriving direct and instruct lovingly the front seats to be filled first.
4. Check and identify to see if there are any children you may need to monitor or help return to their parents should they move during the service.
5. As the sanctuary begins to be filled, gently guide and lead those needing seats to locations and ask others to assist in making room or adjusting their location.
6. During announcements check to see if there are any public instructions emphasised by the pastors in regard to lights (going off or on), air-conditioning, children for nursing room or crèche etc. These announcements often are a quiet direction to have the ushers assist with some matters.
7. Keep an eye out for any person/s who you discern may be somebody needed to be watched and let the other ushers be made aware. This is particularly needed in regard to protecting our children, possible violence or under the influence of some substance as well as those who may be spiritually disruptive. This is a key ongoing component of ministry for ushers.
8. During the service the ushers assist in keeping any distractions, movement, wandering children to a minimum.
9. At the close of the service ushers to ensure the sanctuary is left tidy, no rubbish left, and ready for the next service.
10. Prepare the hall for the evening service.
11. Be at church at least 30 minutes before the starting time of the service.
12. Introduce new people or shy people to those you think will befriend them.
13. If there are not many seats left, ask, ‘May I lead you to a suitable seat?’
14. Encourage people to sit closer to the front before they fill up the back rows.
15. Help people with babies to find a suitable seat.
16. Collect filled-out Connection cards off people as they leave the service
17. Count the offering after the service, or appoint someone to count it, approved by the pastor.
18. Inform the Pastor of newcomers or of any special need.
19. Allocate good soul-winners to lead interested newcomers to Christ.
20. Look for people without a friend and ensure that someone is talking with them at all times.
Although the position of “usher” is not mentioned in the Bible, ushers today provide an invaluable service to the local church body. 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. It is important that an usher be friendly, honest, and willing to serve. It is an honorable position in the church, requiring integrity, cordiality, and wisdom.
The heart of an usher is the heart of a servant, and he does his work for his Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:24). 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. 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.
Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour
The Ministry of “Greeting”
3rd May 2015
Thank you for serving in this privileged ministry of “greeting” here at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour. As the first point of contact for every person entering CCSH the importance and influence of this ministry cannot be overstated.
The following guidelines are very important for you to adhere to in the role of a “greeter” and therefore we would ask that you follow them carefully each time you are serving.
1. Greeting – “Welcome to Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour this morning, or this evening, I am (Your Name ). When handing them the bulletin, “Here is today’s bulletin containing this weeks services and coming events.”
2. New families – more information is needed for those attending the first time – with the additional information being….. “The restrooms are to your left, all children’s classrooms to your right and for the very little ones there is a sign up process prior to the service commencement.” You will also need to advise that the Sunday School aged children will be in the service only up to the announcements being made. For those families still nursing their infant, you will need to provide the information on the mothers room, its location, who can use it (no men) and that it is not soundproof. In other words it is not a crying room as such.
3. When new people or families visit, please provide them with one of our free coffee vouchers and a Calvary Connection Card. They also may want to know where to place the card when they have filled it in. (place in the offering box)
4. Should any individuals or family come back to you for further information you can take them to an usher who will assist.
5. It is important to remember that you are the first point of contact being on the door and the manner that you do this is very important. So courtesy and kindness plus all the relevant information are critical each time you serve.
6. If anyone arrives stressed, troubled or looking as those they are in need of ministry, please make the one of the ushers aware so that they can assist and give the information and location of that person to one of the pastors!
7. If new families or individuals make you aware of their name please note it and pass the information on to Pastor Keith or Helen.
8. Remember in the role and ministry of a greeter, you are not at the door for a personal catch up with people. That can and should be done when you are not at the door serving. Otherwise you may miss serving someone or not provide the necessary information to someone else needing you.
9. Please be careful not to make personal comments about appearances or demeanour as such comments can be taken the wrong way. An individual may have been through a traumatic week or event. What you may consider to be a bit of banter can easily be misconstrued. Your role is to greet and provide information.
10. . We appreciate your cooperation in these matters and thank you again.