1 Samuel 16:1-13

This will be a short sermon, since we have communion and afterwards we will be marking some important decisions regarding the future of Shiloh-Sixth Avenue. We have a vision, which 50 people over the last year have worked on. We've gone through some uncertain times, with all the changes as we de-amalgamated, as we left the Shiloh building, as we moved from Queen's to this site, as we welcomed new people into our midst.

Those with eyes to see knew years ago that some big shift would take place at some point in the future. It was obvious that things were not working at all three of the churches in New Westminster. And now, we have a vision of the future, however, the truth be told, not everything is apparent to us. Much God will show us on the journey. And that is difficult for us.

We are much like prophet Samuel. He knows that a new king must be chosen. Saul, the king chosen by the people, has shown himself to be a hot-head. The kind of person who never gives the time to listen for God, but instead just rashly does what he thinks is right. He knows that a new king must be chosen, however he still grieves from "might have been". Saul was a good prospect for being king, and Samuel had a part in choosing him; yet while Samuel would remain in this grief, God is already looking to the future. Go to Bethlehem and amongst Jesse's son's choose a new king.

Now, we might think choosing to spent a lot of money on a new ministry vision is a big risk, just look at what God asks of Samuel. "Choose a new king, while there is an existing king." There is a name for that; {Treason}. And what do sitting kings do with those who commit treason; {kill them}. Samuel, as we see in the text, is rightfully afraid.

Just as those of you concerned about spending our financial legacy on a new vision plan are. Over the last 50 years, times have been tight, and you've learned how to "squeeze a penny" and run the church. What we are talking about is a big shift, and I'd wonder about your wisdom if you weren't responding cautiously. We are talking about becoming a whole different kind of church, with new ways of being Christian disciples and new ways of having staff and new ways of our ordained minister being the minister.

Our fear is not an empty fear, since what will happen if we get it wrong. Let me first be the bearer of bad news. We WILL get it wrong!!! Just look at Samuel. He hears God's call to be part of a new future for Israel. Despite all the risks for him, for his people, and his nation, he takes the leap and goes to Bethlehem to choose a new king. And in seeing Jesse's oldest son, he says, "This must be the one." WRONG, says God, I don't see things how you see things, look again.

And he goes through all the sons, until he things there are none. But then God shows him DAVID. The youngest son. The eighth son, youngest son, of youngest sons. He will be God's king for Israel. And Samuel, anoints this kid the new king, and then what does he do? He leaves the picture, he leads the story, he passes out of history. His work is finished.

And so too we are at a point of not just choosing a new vision; we've already done that. We have a new vision, and we believe that God has given it to us. Now, we are being called to journey to Bethlehem, to anoint the new vision. To give it feet, to pass on the financial and spiritual legacy of three congregations; Shiloh, Sixth AND Queen's, to a vision that is just out of diapers; to some ruddy kid vision.

And for you older folks, while you have a place in the vision as it now stands, you are being asked to do something more, which many of the younger amongst us don't realize. You are being asked to do what Samuel did; to hand over the past to a new vision. To trust the leadership and future, to a bunch of kids. To let your way of being church pass into history, in favour of a different vision of the future. To do such a thing is no small feat. Let the young among us remember this.

And yet, notice that Samuel does not offer a great lament, at the completion of his leadership. Why is that? Remember old Eli's instruction when Samuel was being called by name in the temple? Eli said, "If He calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.'" Samuel, with all his successes and failures as a servant, with all his strengths and weakness, with all his years as a prophet, he knows that he is a servant. A servant of the Lord; he has listened and served. And this is why he to accept at the end, that his work is finished. And to trust that God will raise up David to be one also who will listen and serve.