Vision

A big problem tonight when twice as many people as expected turn up at a diocesan meeting to hear the bishop outline his vision. Vision is very attractive... it transforms us, we get a sense of direction, or rather a correction in our direction.
The bible is very clever in seeing people as sheep. Communities and people are like sheep. We don't, usually spend our whole lives moving forward. There are patches when we do the business of living... Eating the grass: feeding and growing. There's not much need for vision, a bit of management, making sure we don't overgraze.
Eventually there comes a time when communities develop a sense of unease. The sheep shuffle, become restless, they lift their heads, and look around.
We need a vision not management.
280 people turning up to the bishop's vision suggest that the sheep are shuffling.