Wild Geese

Drumcliffe Parish church, near Sligo, has two metal door handles, shaped as wild geese, Irish symbolism for the work and movement of the Holy Spirit.

The wild goose is one of the most communal of creatures, drawing its life from the flock.  God’s Spirit is not a spirit of individualism, but of community. 

In an age when the spirit of individualism is a supreme ideology both outside and inside the church, it is worth reminding ourselves that the testimony of the earliest Christians, and of Christians down the ages, is that the Spirit brings community. 

This was a primary message of the Pentecost narrative (Acts 2).  The Spirit, when it is holy Spirit, brings people together in unity, to support and journey in life with others. 

5 Lessons from Wild Geese

Here are five lessons, by observing the behaviours of wild geese, which help us understand the essence of what makes a great community.

The synergy of partnership

1) The first is that flying in the V formation gives geese a seventy-one per cent increase in flying range. Their flapping wings actually creating an updraft for the bird following. Flying is a co-operative business. This is the synergy of partnership.

"People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going much more quickly and easily when they are traveling on the thrust of one another's efforts."

The sustainability of sharing

2) The second is that the lead goose in the V formation does not, of course, experience this updraft and so tires faster than the others.  When the lead goose tires, it moves back into the formation and another goose takes over the lead.

This teaches us that leadership must be shared if it is to be sustainable.

Never alone

3) The third lesson is that when a goose falls out of the formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, and quickly gets back into the formation.

Doing life alone can drag us down.


Direction is maintained through adversity

4) Fourth, when a wild goose is sick or wounded, or shot down, two others follow it to help and protect it until it recovers or dies, while the others continue to fly on.  When the goose recovers or dies, a new formation is created, heading in the same direction as the first.

True Christianity is when we bear one another's burdens. We must stand by each other in the difficult times as well as when we are strong. The direction and impetus of the community can continue, even when some fall by the wayside.

We all need to become "honkers"!

5) And fifth, when geese are flying in formation, those flying behind honk to encourage those in front to keep up speed. Christian community must be a place of encouragement, acceptance and affirmation. I have heard many horror stories from colleagues about whining, moaning, criticising members of church  congregations. Let's be encouragers rather than discouragers.

Lets therefore consider wild geese and see the Spirit move in our communities.

Selah.