Olanrewaju (lanre) Asiru - Ushering In His Presence: A Ministry Model for Serving in the Church

ENDORSEMENTS

We must never overlook the fact that in a very real way, the ministry of ushers and greeters plays a critical role in facilitating the work of the Word and the Spirit in our services. Heres a tool you can use to be sure that those we entrust with the safety and overall security of the assembled members are well trained and focused on their work! I only wish this had been written sooner.

Lanre Asiru has written a relevant, and much needed guide to help every pastor who wants to see their churchs core values and character clearly on display by ushers, greeters, and other staff, where first impressions are made. Inspired by years of personal experience, this volume is destined to meet a need in an important and often overlooked ministry of church!

It has been my pleasure to personally know the author as a friend and key team member of the church I pastor. I have witnessed for years the fruit of his ministry as the tested and proven precepts contained in these pages have been applied. Certainly, every usher and greeter ministry team member needs to be informed and equipped in the critical protocols contained in these pages. Expect your team to grow deeper and more fulfilled spiritually as well when they see themselves not simply as ushers but as watchmen, facilitators, and ambassadors.

David Munizzi
Lead Pastor, Catalyst International Church

It is my privilege to make commentary about this new book, Ushering In His Presence, by Lanre Asiru. With knowledge of and experience in two distinct cultures, Lanre lays down biblical principles for an area of ministry that has received little, if any, literary attention. The tragedy of this lack is assumption that just any warm body with a few breaths in them can function as an usher.

Training from this excellent volume will greet congregants, and most importantly, potential congregants with the love of God, proper finesse, and with that first impression that inspires a second visitperhaps even a more in-depth association.

This writing is not theory, but a lifestyle and smile you could experience any Sunday morning at Lanres home church. The author is there, practicing what he is herein preaching.

Doug Maners
Lanres former pastor

The first time I met Lanre Asiru, he was standing in the back of Catalyst International Church in Orlando, Florida. I remember seeing this tall, dignified man as he stood like a watchful soldier, looking over the congregation with a loving and protective gaze. I knew immediately that he was an usher, but he was not just handing out church bulletins or making sure kids stayed quiet. He took his job seriously. He knew he was a watchman in Gods house.

I got to know Lanre after that day, and we immediately became friends because of our shared interest in his native Nigeria. I was not surprised to learn that he had written a book for people who serve as church ushers. Lanre is the best person I know to provide this training because ushering is not just a job to him. It is a holy calling. I believe your entire church leadership team would benefit from reading this helpful book, which teaches that all of Gods ministers, regardless of their titles or positions, are called to be selfless servants.

J. Lee Grady
Author and Director of The Mordecai Project

2020 by Olanrewaju Asiru. All rights reserved.

Asiru, Olanrewaju

Ushering In His Presence: A Ministry Model for the Church

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-951492-42-7

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-951492-95-3

LOC Case # 1-9952266621

LOC Case#: 1-9664019031 Book Tribute Song

Publisher: HigherLife Development Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 623307 Oviedo, Florida 32762

(407) 563-4806 www.ahigherlife.com

No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or copyright holder, nor may any part of this book be transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without prior written permission from the publisher or copyright holder unless otherwise noted scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America:

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This book is dedicated to all true servants of God, ministering in one way or the other through service in churches all over the world. Know with assurance that your labor is not in vain.

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight;
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten;
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Mother Teresa

Often corporations provide a product or service with real value for many, yet for some reason, the public largely does not buy it. They might not even be aware of its existence. This is where marketing comes in, and why marketing is crucial for the sustenance and viability of any organization. Its no wonder then that corporations pay over a million dollars to place their commercials as part of the Super Bowl halftime show. The benefits far outweigh the cost. Simply put, these commercials help these corporations put their best foot forward, as the saying goes, by providing them limited seconds to project their image and products and services in the best possible light. Public relations departments exist within corporations that serve as their face, while simultaneously managing the corporations brand.

Churches are no different than for profit corporations in this regard. While I have not encountered a church with a public relations department or ministry, churches also must accurately project who they are to each person who walks through their doors. First this is achieved through the usher ministry (sometimes called greeter, door holder, and other titles today), as these are the first persons to encounter church goers. Then what begins with the usher continues through other church ministry leaders and members.

Then, just as in the case of corporations, there are reasons why people seeking a church to call their home church, one where families can grow together, may or may not gravitate toward a church. Again, as in the case of unappreciated products and services, there are numerous churches worldwide that stand out, at least in terms of their building structures, as magnificent edifices; sights to behold, yet they remain empty in terms of attendance, fellowship, love, and in their fulfillment of the Great Commission. It is very easy to look outward and find external factors as the cause for certain challenges in life, when in reality, and with humility having its place in our hearts, we should be looking in the mirror, where truth can be found and revealed. The physical structure of a church will never be the true location of Gods dwelling place. He desires to dwell in our hearts and to captivate us by His Holy Spirit.