Lessons Learned From Geese

Pledge Sunday

2 Corinthians 9:6-15   Luke 18:18-30                                          Rev. Todd B. Freeman

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas                                             November 7, 2004

Today, on Pledge Sunday, we celebrate our commitment to God and to this congregation. As Presbyterians, we do that, in part, through the pledging and giving of our time, our talents, and our financial resources. And it is only through your commitment that we are able to carry out the ministry of this very special congregation.

Being a good steward, as the Bible teaches us, is so much more than a yearly Stewardship Campaign, however. It is an ongoing spiritual discipline that involves the daily offering of ourselves – of all we have and all we are – to God and each other. And to function to the best of our ability as a congregation takes the commitment of each and every one of you. For each one of us is blessed with different gifts, talents, and abilities, and it takes all of us working together in order to fulfill the mission that God has called us to.

Speaking of working together, a couple of weeks ago Jean Martin, as Moderator of the Nominating Committee, shared the analogy of a flock of geese, teaching us about how teamwork can strengthen any organization. This past week, Cindy Buehrle emailed me a document that she has had on file for years with much the same information, entitled, “Lessons from Geese”.

Considering all this a bit providential, I have decided to share this with you today in the context of our Pledge Sunday. I think that the lessons learned can be very helpful to us as a congregation in the coming year.

Lessons from Geese – # 1

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.

The Lesson:

People who share a common direction and sense of community can go further and get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

         In the context of a congregation, we can accomplish so much more when we all participate (whether it be in worship, committee work, fellowship events, social action projects, educational opportunities, work days, etc.).

         This lesson also emphasizes the need for all of us to contribute to our sense of community. One of the things our Every Member Canvass revealed (not surprisingly) is that this sense of being a “family” is one of the most important elements of being a member of Bethany.

Lessons from Geese – # 2

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.

The Lesson:

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

         Now that doesn’t mean that we all have to think alike, because we know we don’t. We all know the difference between unity and uniformity. That does mean, however, that following a common vision, such as our commitment to inclusiveness, helps contribute to our sense of unity and calling.

Lessons from Geese – # 3

When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.

The Lesson:

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership with people, as with geese, interdependent with each other.

         This, as we are well aware, becomes much more crucial in small congregations, like Bethany. We know people get tired, and it’s only right and necessary to take a break. However, if people don’t step back up to the plate and relieve those who are in leadership positions, then burnout can become the result. We need YOUR hard work in the coming year! And that may require a bit more of a sacrifice for all of us as we make Bethany a priority in our lives.

Lessons from Geese – # 4

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

The Lesson:

We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging – not something less than helpful.

         Constructive criticism is not only helpful, it is necessary. But that is very different from just basic complaining and negativity because things aren’t done the way we want them done. So let us strive to be encouragers of one another – especially of those in leadership positions.

Lessons from Geese – # 5

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down and help and protect it. They stay with the goose until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, join another formation, or catch up with the flock.

The Lesson:

If we have as much sense as geese, we’ll stand by each other.

         In a congregation, not everyone is up all the time. Each and every one of us goes through cycles. Sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down. When we recognize that someone is down, those who are up need to provide support. This is important, because sooner or later those who are up will be down and will then need the support of others.

       So on this Pledge Sunday, as we commit our time, our talents, and our financial resources to the life and ministry of this congregation – a ministry to which God has called us – I think we can learn a lot from our fine feathered friends, the geese. For remember, birds of a feather flock together.

Amen.