Goose Sense - Teamwork

“He called the twelve together and began to send them out two by two...." (Mark 6:7)

When you see geese flying along in a "V" formation, consider what they can teach us:

(1) As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following, adding at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.  When we share a common direction, we can get where we're going more quickly and easily because we travel on one another's thrust.  Do you know our church’s purpose/mission -- the one God has given us and asks us all to follow and be a part of?  (If not CLICK HERE).

(2) 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. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.  Do you know how to respectfully and humbly follow the lead of your leaders? Or do you too often try to “go against the flow” just to make a point or to “be in charge” yourself?

(3) When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.  It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.  How do you set reasonable limits for yourself to have time to renew yourself, and do you allow others the space and limits they need to re-energize, as well?

(4) Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  What messages do you give when you honk from behind?

(5) Finally, when a goose gets sick or wounded and has to fall out of formation, two other geese fall out with it and follow it down to lend help and protection.  If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that, too. How do you respond when a fellow Christian brother or sister is in trouble?

You see, even Jesus knew that effective Christian ministry can't be a "one-man-show" -- instead, we need each other!  That’s why he began his own ministry on earth by calling twelve followers to be his Disciples.  As we begin a new year with new leaders here at East Cobb UMC, I look forward to us working for Christ together as a team!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!