Peter said: "...Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.

In this Diocese of Liverpool we have committed ourselves to "a long obedience in the same direction".

That direction is simple. We believe God is calling us to tell people about Jesus and to bring justice in the world.

As people come to know Jesus we believe they will want to join his family, the Church.

As Christians work with others to bring justice, we believe we will see the values of God's Kingdom extended.

A bigger church making a bigger difference.

None of this means a thing if it's empty strategy.

We love because God loved us first. We plan because God's plan embraced us first.

Everything we do is to go in by the door who is Jesus Christ.

The door opens by honesty and through repentance.

"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man".

Repentance ... joy ... Gospel

This is our foundation as the people of God in Christ.

I have been here almost a year now as Bishop. The direction of the Diocese, the arrow of growth and depth, has not changed and we remain committed together to the "long obedience in the same direction". This new Synod enters into that inheritance.

We know in which direction we feel called by God to go.

Constantly we, who are entrusted with the leadership of the Diocese, must pay attention to ourselves and answer the question, "Are we fit for mission?"

In this past year we have made some radical changes to our structures, doubling the number of Archdeaconries and of Archdeacons. All this does not count as a new direction - it's designed to streamline what we do do that we can move more numbly into the future that God gives us.

With the retirement of Ultan Russell and of Canon Cynthia Dowdle we will also be reconfiguring the social responsibility and social justice function in the Diocese.

Peter said: "...Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” Our streamlining is a matter of choosing, maintaining and using the right net. God will bring the fish.

The twin perils for a church on the move are as they have always been: anxiety on the one hand, and complacency on the other.

Between these rocks we can steer a safe course if we ask God to give us a confident urgency, secure in His sovereignty over the world and over the Church, and yet inspired by his mandate: "I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it".

Our leadership needs therefore to be marked by prayer, faithfulness and that confident urgency that grows from obedience to God's call. Equipped in this way we need to keep moving, if we are to be faithful.

Peter said: "...if you say so..."

"They caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break."

To do the same thing over and over and expect different results is unwise.

The culture of the Church needs to be disrupted by the truth, and we can reach the truth by uncomfortable debate. Synods, among other things, are for disruption.

This doesn't mean grumpy conversations, or factions, or politicking. But it does mean honesty, and courage, and speaking and listening well.

"So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them."

"Synod" is a Greek word with the root meaning "Together on the way". Almost a year ago I asked the Synod to accompany me to the Cathedral for my installation because I wanted to arrive there in the midst of a group of friends on the way together. That remains my vision for this Synod.

A long obedience in the same direction, a streamlining so that we move swiftly and well, a will and commitment under God to sustain our momentum, and a readiness to disrupt and change when the wind of the Spirit blows. These are the marks of the Church, and the Synod, of the future.

Peter said: "...Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break... And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink... For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken.

Luke 5:1-11