1 Chronicles 9:17-32 “The gatekeepers: … their chief … those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages…assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel … in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD … entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God … had charge of the key for opening it each morning … in charge of the articles used in the temple service … others were assigned to take care of the furnishings … some of the priests took care of mixing the spices … entrusted with the responsibility for baking the offering bread … in charge of preparing every Sabbath the bread set out on the table.”

This is during the reign of Saul/Samuel era when the temple and worship area was small – but it was important then and now to get the work done God’s way.

Principle: In large, public companies and in vocational Christian work, job descriptions can call for narrow functions and unique qualifications.

Employment within church work or non-profit, religious business is certainly unique. Like the people assigned to temple duties and maintenance. There is a sense of God’s call to it. The outcome or product is clearly sacred rather than secular. There is no profit motivation. Income source is generally gift rather than sales based. The “gatekeeper category in non-profits includes trustees, directors, financial people, administrators, laborers and custodians. All with the main purpose of operating, protecting, maintaining and preserving the organization so that it can function to its higher purpose.

In public companies with huge employee population the areas of specialty are often carefully defined also.

Discussion:

1. What are the job description or expectations at you work?

2. How often are those descriptions or expectations changed?

3. What life factors change that makes job descriptions change?