THE IMPLICATIONS &

IMPERATIVES OF BEING
STEADFAST IN THE
PROTOCOL AND
USHERING MINISTRIES
– I Cor. 15:58.
by
Revd. Abayomi Oshin
 Seminar objectives:
 To establish the Biblical basis for
the office of a protocol/Usher
 The need for commitment in the
ministries.
 Duties/Work to be done to reflect
effectiveness/commitment in the
ministries.
 The Protocol and Usher
 Who is a Protocol Officer? Master of
Procedures, Practices and Etiquettes.
 Who is an Usher? Helper, Greeter, Pilot,
Escort and Guide.
 The offices are not conflicting but
complimentary.
 Biblical Basis for Protocol and Usher
Ministries

 Protocol Officer: Acts. 6:1-4, Matt. 21:1-

3
 Usher: Ps. 84:10
 The Need for Commitment in the
Protocol and Usher Ministries
 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, knowing that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord. - 1 Cor
15:58 (NKJV)
 Reward comes after service and not
before.
 The Work of the Protocol Ministry

 Protocol Officer has been defined as

Master of Procedures, Practices and
Etiquettes. Here we want to look at the
duties in more specific terms.
 The office is primarily for government
functionaries where protocols have to be
observed but in recent times has become
relevant in the church.
 The Work of the Protocol Ministry cont.

 To represent the church and minister to

outsiders.
 To organize and facilitates logistics in the
event of church programmes particularly
where guest ministers are expected.
 To guide in the procedures, rank and
precedence of guest ministers.
 The Work of the Protocol Ministry cont.

 He goes to events/programmes ahead of

minister to ensure suitability and advise
his master to come or excuse himself.
(This is rarely done in the church but it is
the work of the protocol officer as well as
the security officer to be advance party to
the event before the minister).
 THE WORK OF AN USHER
The Usher has been defined as Helper, Greeter,
Pilot, Escort and Guide.

He welcomes people into the church programmes

and events and attends to their reasonable needs
in the service to make them feel welcome.

Let us look at his work before The Service, During

The Service and After The Service
 Before the service:
 Reporting to church at least an
hour early to pray and prepare.
 Ushers ensure the church is prepared
for the church service, or any other
event that may be occurring e.g. by
sweeping and dusting.
 Organize themselves for the
work before the Sunday school
begins – 2 Chr. 8:14.
During the service:
 Warmly greeting and welcoming members
and visitors to the service.
 Offering general assistance to
worshippers and visitors e.g. giving
direction to the toilet or helping little
children to their group.
 Orderliness including leading worshippers
to seat.
 Giving out bulletin, envelopes and hymn
books
 Collection of offering – 2 Kings 12:9
 Ushers may help to keep order during altar
calls and Communion, showing members
where to stand and where to walk in the
aisles.
 Assisting people with special need.
 Taking worship statistics :
 Attendance

 Decision etc.
 After the service:
 Identify visitors and meet with them within
two minutes after the end of the service.
 Counting of money – 2 Kings 22:4
 Collection of hymn books from the pews,
cleaning the hymn books and returning them
to the shelf.
 Cleaning of the auditorium and premises.
 MINISTRY CHALLENGES –
Protocol:
 Some pastors don’t understand
protocols but are bossy and not
willing to listen to protocol officers
on matters of protocols e.g. ranks and
preference.
 Ushers may feel that you are
demonstrating superiority while
doing your job.
 Pastors take side with one another in
breaking protocols.
 Resources.
 MINISTRY CHALLENGES –
Ushering ministry:
 Some members of the congregation
don’t follow the leading of Ushers.
 Some children are not disciplined
in the service –they make
unnecessary movements that
disrupt the service.
 Some members may be rude.
 church members are not good
stewards of church property i.e
hymn books.
 Inadequate supply of stationery
for taking statistics.
 Sometimes pastors do not come
to talk to the visitors.
 Not enough people for the work
to be done especially when the
ladies go on maternity leave.
 THE PERSON OF
AN USHER/PROTOCOL
Trustworthy: 1 Chr. 9:22
Orderly and Organised: 2 Chr. 8:14
Humble & Friendly: Acts. 20:18-20
“Always give yourselves fully to
the work of the Lord, because you
know that your labor in the Lord
is not in vain.”- 1 Cor. 15:58b

Thank you for your attention.

Any question?