![]() ![]() Hilkiah shared his discovery with Shaphan, the secretary, who in turn read the Book of the Law to King Josiah. Josiah was a reformer, evidenced by his response to hearing the contents of the Book of the Law discovered in the temple of the Lord by Hilkiah, the high priest. By his eighteenth year as king, Josiah was touted as a righteous king who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). Chroniclers commend Josiah, who assumed the throne as an eight year-old child, for being astute enough to seek the counsel of the Lord unlike his grandfather, Manasseh. The 22nd chapter of 2 Kings also highlights the actions of King Josiah. In these verses, ushers are those who are “keepers of the threshold.” Their role was to collect money from the people for the upkeep of the temple. The little used passage, 2 Kings 22:3-6, is one of the few that mention the work performed by ushers in the Old Testament. Leonard, Maryland, stands as the archetype of all ushers who dutifully minister in the life of African American churches. The doorkeeper to the exhibit is a mannequin dressed in white uniform, stockings, shoes, and gloves with straight posture, one hand extended in welcome and the other behind her back. In 2009, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC recognized the vital ministry of ushers in African American churches in the exhibit, “Speak to My Heart Communities of Faith and the African American Community.” 2 The exhibit featured photographs, objects, and dioramas depicting the uniqueness of all religions from Islam to Roman Catholicism. The wide age range of ushers creates opportunities for intergenerational mentoring. Through weekly practices, ushers learn the intricate system of hand signals that constitute their silent language of service. ![]() The selfless service and hospitality offered by ushers stand in stark contrast to the frequent indifference we often experience in our “me-focused” society at large. The words of the psalmist are both descriptive of and prophetic relative to the contemporary role played by ushers. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10 NRSV). Part One: The Contemporary Contexts of the Interpreter Biblical Interpretation for Preaching and Worship Usher’s Day is therefore a communal thank you and celebration of service. In the tradition of our African ancestors who functioned within communal societies, traditionally, guest ushers from area churches are invited to come and serve the host church in support of the ushers being honored. Ushers follow the tradition of the Old Testament doorkeepers who collected money for temple upkeep.īecause of the invaluable ministry of these humble servants who arrive early and stay after worship, the church sets aside Usher’s Day as a special occasion to honor ushers of all ages. African American churches have long depended on the silent service of ushers. Quietly and efficiently, ushers tend to the physical needs of worshippers from passing out the ubiquitous church fan to offering a comforting pat on the back and a tissue to someone in grief. The Merriam Webster dictionary provides a functional definition of the word usher, “an officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall or chamber.” 1 Ushers extend the first hand of welcome and hospitality to arriving visitors and members. 6) that is, to the carpenters, to the builders, to the masons and let them use it to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house.” 5) let it be given into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the house of the Lord let them give it to the workers who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house, (v. 4) “Go up to the high priest Hilkiah, and have him count the entire sum of the money that has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people (v. 3) In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying, (v. Lection – 2 Kings 22:3-6 (New Revised Standard Version) ![]() General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, Director, Evangelism Ministries, Nashville, TN ![]()
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