by David Brock

Understanding why we serve is important for the development of any team. Part one of this series began to study the Levites and their service in the tabernacle. Numbers 16 brought home the first aspect of service that we must understand: discontentment destroys service. Once this first principle is understood, a team must also understand the second principle: God gives different types of service. Through Moses, God brought this point home to the Levites in Numbers eighteen. Following the rebellion of Korah, God wanted His servants to understand that they all had a different role to fulfill. Numbers 18 presents two types of service that were reiterated for the church in Romans 12.

The first type of service is support service. In Numbers 18:6, God gave the responsibility of the work of the tabernacle to most of the Levites. This was the behind-the-scenes work that kept the tabernacle functioning properly. When one stops and considers the vast amount of work that it would take to keep the tabernacle running smoothly and efficiently, it is mind-boggling. These Levites were in charge of the facilities. They had to maintain the tabernacle as well as be able to tear it down and set it back up as they moved from place to place in the wilderness. There were also a lot of animals that needed care—enough animals to facilitate the sacrifices and tithes for over two million people. Today there is also the service of support. Ministry buildings need to be maintained and repaired, bathrooms need to be cleaned, trees need to be trimmed, mail outs need to be organized and sent, food needs to be cooked and served, and phones need to be answered. Support service covers a vast array of jobs. In fact, most of the jobs within ministry are support service.

The second type of service is sacred service. The danger of putting the title “sacred” on this service is that some would assume that “support” service is not spiritual or sacred. That is not the point. The point is that there is a different emphasis to the jobs. Numbers 18:7 explains that sacred service is dealing with the people and their relationship with God. This group had stricter qualifications. They had to be descendants of Aaron; not just anybody could do this service. Aaron’s family was responsible for the sacrifices and spiritual well-being of the people. It was only this family that could enter behind the veil and intercede on behalf of the people with God. Sacred service deals with the people and their spiritual condition while support service enables this to be accomplished.

Some may say that was only for the Old Testament, but it is also seen in the New Testament church. Romans 12 explains how the body of Christ is to function. As one scans the chapter, it is evident that there are many different types of service; but each of them can be categorized as sacred or support service. Below is an example of how this looks today in ministry.

Sacred

Pastors
Teachers
Evangelists
Counselors

Support

Deacons
Maintenance staff
Secretaries
Volunteers for church projects

It is vital for everyone to understand that both types of service are necessary for effective ministry. Try running a church service when the sound does not work, the toilets are clogged, and there is trash on the platform. On the other hand, try running a service without the music director, preacher, or counselors for the invitation. It takes both support service and sacred service to accomplish God’s calling for us today.