This is a story that you may hear it before, but it is a good one to read it again...
Next fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying
along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered
as to why they fly that way.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
In a church people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone - and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed in the same direction as we are.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the formation and another goose takes its place and flies point.
No church community should have only a few people doing all the work.It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed.
In a church we should continually encourage one another rather than
criticize and tear down.
Finally and this is most important - when a goose gets sick or is
wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that
goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with
the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only
then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to
catch up with their group.
In a church we should surround the sick and wounded with love and care
until they rebound and can in return do the same for others.
