Head Pulpit Usher Job Description
The head pulpit usher is responsible for the greeting of the congregation at Sunday services in churches, as well as for general organizational and administration tasks before, during and after the service. The head usher is also responsible for ensuring an appropriate decorum is observed in the church, as well as for responding to any emergencies that occur. The head pulpit usher will likely have a team of ushers present to assist her in her duties.
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Main Duties
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The head pulpit usher will be required to prepare the church for service. Tasks may include filling the oil level in candles, the opening and closing of the building's windows and the placing of the cross on the communion table. The head usher will make sure that offering plates are available and will distribute church literature, for example, news bulletins, to members of the congregation.
During the service, the head usher will conduct a count of the number present in the congregation and record this. Following the service, the head usher will need to arrange for the collection of offering plates and for the securing of money given.
Working Hours
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The head pulpit usher will need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of a service, if not before, in order to ensure that necessary preparations are completed. While a head usher may need to be present for meetings and training, in general his work is limited to a few hours per week.
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Reports To
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The person or body the head pulpit usher reports to is dependent on the church where she works, but could include the church committee or board, while in some cases, the usher will be accountable to the pastor or associate pastor herself.
Expectations
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The head pulpit usher will be expected to greet arrivals to the church in a warm manner and to ensure that parishioners are seated appropriately. Church guests may need to be informed of church procedure and appropriate behavior, and it is the head usher's job to do this. The head usher will need to appoint ushers, and it is his responsibility that these ushers do their duties correctly as part of a team.
In addition, the head usher must represent his church correctly, being calm, reverent and dependable throughout the service. He must be aware of any emergency procedures, and in the event of an emergency, it is likely to be the head usher who dials for help and arranges for the evacuation of the building.
Qualities
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The head pulpit usher must be physically in a suitable condition, since her job will involve standing for considerable amounts of time. She must be friendly and courteous and be able to welcome members of the congregation. She must be well-organized and efficient, and must be able to conduct herself in a manner appropriate to her place of worship. Importantly, she must be a practising Christian whose views are in line with her place of employment.
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References
- Photo Credit church. exterior. way to church image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
