What Geese Teach Us About the Church

As you think about God’s creation, there is so much we can learn from it. In Proverbs 30:25-28, the author shows how animals that God has created have a wisdom that we should take note of when he writes, “ants—frail as they are, get plenty of food in for the winter; 26 marmots—vulnerable as they are, manage to arrange for rock-solid homes; 27 locusts — leaderless insects, yet they strip the field like an army regiment; 28 lizards — easy enough to catch, but they sneak past vigilant palace guards.” (Prov. 30:25-28; Message) But one example from God’s creation that has grabbed my attention the most over the years, especially in relation to how the church is meant to work together, is geese. Why? Here is what science tells us about why geese fly in a V-formation.

Every fall thousands of geese fly from Canada to the southern part of the United States to escape the bitterly cold Canadian winter. As soon as a flock of geese takes flight from Canadian waters, they quickly form a v-shape flying pattern, with one rotating goose in the center lead and all the other geese trailing behind in two close lines. Wildlife scientists have conducted extensive studies to determine why geese and other migratory birds always fly in a distinctive v-formation. They found some fascinating results:

1. When geese fly together, each goose provides additional lift and reduces air resistance for the goose flying behind it. Consequently, by flying together in a v-formation, scientists estimate that the whole flock can fly about 70% farther with the same amount of energy than if each goose flew alone. Geese have discovered that they can reach their destination more quickly and with less energy expended when they fly together in formation. When people work together harmoniously, sharing a common mission, values, and a common destination, they all arrive at the destination quicker and easier because they are lifted up by the energy and enthusiasm of one another. At Gateway Church, our mission is to, “Connect People To Jesus Christ and To One Another.” It’s hard work as we not only seek to live out our faith but to serve others in the process. But when we all work together toward this mission, we are able to accomplish so much more than if we try to do it on our own.

2. When a goose drops out of the v-formation, it quickly discovers that it requires a great deal more effort and energy to fly. Consequently, that goose will quickly return to the formation to take advantage of the lifting power that comes from flying together. Sometimes people will drop out of the group and try to do life on their own. However, like the geese, they usually discover that they miss the synergy and energy that comes when they are an active part of a cohesive body of believers moving toward their destination and want to return to the group. At Gateway Church, we believe that we are to be connected to each other in worship, Life Groups, serving together, and by going out into the world to share our faith with others. We are not called to isolation, but to relationship; with God and with each other (Mark 12:29-31).

3. Geese rotate leadership. The goose flying in the front of the formation has to expend the most energy because it is the first to break up the flow of air that provides the additional lift for all of the geese who follow behind the leader. Consequently, when the lead goose gets tired, it drops out of the front position and moves to the rear of the formation, where the resistance is lightest, and another goose moves to the leadership position. This rotation of position happens many times in the course of the long journey to warmer climates. When a church is functioning well, various members of the body may take the leadership role for a while because of a particular expertise or experience. Consequently, when it’s working well, everyone has the opportunity to serve as a leader as well as a follower by using their spiritual gifts and natural abilities for the benefit of the body of Christ. Whether it’s leading a Life Group, going on a mission trip to Cuba, building a house for Habit for Humanity, or helping out in VBS or Kidway, we each contribute some expertise or experience that is needed which will greatly benefit the body of Christ at Gateway Church for God’s glory.

4. Geese honk at each other. They also frequently make loud honking sounds as they fly together. Scientists speculate that this honking is their way of communicating and encouraging one another during their long flight. Similarly, when we are connecting with one another as the body of Christ, it is important for each person to relate with and encourage others in our body. How do we do this? By praying for one another, sharing our lives together in Life Groups, serving together in various ministries, and bearing one another’s burdens as we strive to live faithfully together in a fallen world, awaiting the return of Jesus Christ, our Lord (Galatians 6:2).

5. Geese help each other. Scientists also discovered that when one goose becomes ill, is shot or injured, and drops out of the formation, two other geese will fall out of formation and remain with the weakened goose. They will stay with and protect the injured goose from predators until it is able to fly again or dies. Likewise, the body of Christ works best when they do more than just attend a worship service together and then leave to go home. Like a goose that becomes ill or injured, when those around them are willing to drop out of formation (i.e., have our routines disrupted) to care for the well being of each other, then we are truly being the church.

As amazing as it is to stand and watch geese fly in v-formation, honking as they encourage each other toward their destination, they also have a lot to say to us as a church. Like geese, will we choose to fly together in formation taking advantage of the fact that we can go a lot farther and accomplish so much more than if we try to go it alone? Will we allow God to use us at Gateway Church in ways that we can’t even imagine by leading a Life Group, helping hand out food to those in need at Chopin Hall, or offering to teach an Equip Class during the week? Will we choose to not focus on the things that bother us about the church (Ephesians 4: 29), but rather encourage each other in word and deed, just as the Scriptures command, by building each other up (Eph. 4:29)? And will we allow ourselves to be inconvenienced by taking the time to serve someone in our church who is hurting or in need rather than just looking out for our own interests (Philippians 2:4)?

As we strive to be all that God has called us to be at Gateway Church and to carry out the mission, “To Connect People To Jesus And To One Another”, let’s take a lesson from one of God’s creatures on how to rely on each other...the goose. For to God and God alone belongs all the glory!