"I see my role as a sheepdog following the call and direction of our Shepherd, Jesus...helping as the flock moves through the fields of life."
"Honk if you love Jesus" was a popular bumper sticker a few years ago. I have to admit my immediate reaction to it was a bit negative; it seemed terribly corny at the time. Yet those words, "Honk if you love Jesus," bear an interesting truth about Christianity, as professor Browne Barr discovered some twelve years ago.
Then Dean of the San Francisco Presbyterian Seminary, Barr, with the help of a friendly zoologist, uncovered some amazing facts about honking geese in flight. There are four characteristics which so astounded him that he wrote a theological book entitled, High Flying Geese.
I'd like to share these characteristics with you as we prepare this weekend for our annual Parish meeting. I think they will help us to understand something of the nature of a church in motion.
(1) Did you know that geese flying in formation fly seventy percent faster and farther than a lone goose?
Blue Geese were tracked while migrating from James Bay in Canada to the coastal waters of Louisiana. They made the seventeen-hundred-mile journey in sixty hours, averaging thirty miles per hour with unerring accuracy. A single goose could not do this.
I think this holds up a truth for any community, and especially the Church. We all need each other more than we ever realize. Religion is not a private affair; it is a communal activity. We often hear people say, "I can worship God just as well walking in the woods." But the fact is, religion doesn't work that way and we really don't worship when we "walk in the woods."
Religious communities provide stability, structure, safety and, most importantly, a common sense of direction and accountability. We really do fly faster and farther and get to where we are headed...when we are in formation with each other.
(2) Did you know that geese share the lead? When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the wing and another goose flies up to take its place.
Sharing the lead is crucial in all communities; one person cannot and, more importantly, should not provide all the leadership. I think this is especially true for churches. Over the past century, parish leadership has gradually shifted from one priest being the sole authority to a healthy flock sharing leadership.
Our new Book of Common Prayer makes this clear when it poses the question, "Who are the ministers of the Church?" The response is: "The ministers of the Church are lay persons," and then following that is added, "and Bishops, Priests and Deacons." The next question posed is, "What is the ministry of the laity?" The response is, "The ministry of the lay persons is:
"To represent Christ and His Church;
"To bear witness to Him wherever you are;
"To carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world;
"To take your place in the life, worship and governance (leadership) of
the Church."
The good news is that is happening at St. Margaret's. Lay ministry and lay leadership are alive and well in this parish as is evident in our Vestry leadership, management of finances, school leadership, outreach ministries, youth ministries, altar guild and a host of working committees. The list is a long one and many of you are flying in the lead of these parish formations.
All this leaves me, your Rector (and our pastoral assistants), with a very different role from the past. For example:
I see one of my primary roles as theologian, teacher and preacher. Jesus' disciples often called Him "Rabbi," which means teacher. I think that is a wonderful title for church pastors. Our education and training provide us with the opportunity and, hopefully, the talent to proclaim and share the Gospel word through preaching and teaching.
I am also a pastor, one who is available to you physically, emotionally and spiritually. The minister's role has often been described as being the shepherd of his flock. But I think Jesus must remain the sole Shepherd. I see my role as a sheepdog following the call and direction of our Shepherd, Jesus. Pastors help to keep things going as the flock moves through the fields of life.
We are also presiders at worship, leading Sunday services, celebrating Holy Communion and administering pastoral sacraments, such as baptisms, marriages, funerals, etc. Although we stand at the center of this worshiping community, we are always aware that we must be transparent to the real presence of Jesus Christ. Our job is to administer and preside and then get out of the way, so that the Holy Spirit may do its work in our midst.
And, finally, remember although we often appear to be flying in the lead of our flock, without you we fly very slowly and we don't get very far. We need you as much as you need us.
(3) And that brings me to a third characteristic of flying geese...Geese honk from behind for a reason.
One of the great joys of my life was watching a flock of Snow Geese arise from a marsh one early fall morning to continue their migration south. It was like listening to a symphony as they rose and formed their flying "V," honking until they were out of sight.
What is important to be aware of about this characteristic of high-flying geese is that honking is not complaining. Indeed, it is just the opposite. It is the means by which they keep in touch and encourage one another during flight. Their honking, it's been said, "is like the old 'Heave Ho' Songs of workers pulling barges and toting bales." They even modulate the tone of honking to create a symphony of loving support and encouragement.
So, too, the members of a church must communicate with each other and their leaders, not with bitterness or complaint, or undue criticism, but with words of support and love. Psychologists have taught us the important of communications for maintaining relationships. This is doubly true for communities such as churches. So, you have my permission to honk!
(4) And last, did you know that geese keep company with the fallen? When a sick or weak goose drops out of flight, at least one other goose joins to help and protect. Browne Barr tells a story about two geese who suddenly showed up on a small beach outside Tiburon, California, just north of San Francisco.The geese won the hearts of everyone when they discovered that one goose was blind and the other, a gander, had bravely sacrificed his migratory freedom to stay behind and keep his mate company.
What a magnificent metaphor for us to follow. Paul speaks eloquently (I Cor. 12) about the Church being the body of Christ. "We are all joined together as parts of a body and if one member suffers, we all suffer; if one member is honored, all rejoice." Elsewhere (Gal.6), Paul reminds his flock that they must "bear one another's burdens to fulfill the law of Christ."
There are many ways to keep company with each other in a parish. We will share one way this morning as our Assistant Pastor, Julie Christian, commissions a small flock of parishioners to be ministers of healing. They will keep company with those of us who are sick or wounded, lightening our loads and bearing our burdens.
So, this concludes our lesson from God's high-flying creatures, Canada Geese. For your fridge doors, four simple points:
When geese fly in formation, they fly seventy percent faster and farther than when they fly alone.
Geese share the leadership in formation. When the one in front gets tired, it rotates back into the wing and another flies up to take its place.
Geese honk from behind. Those in the rear have to urge those in the front to keep up their speed.
Geese keep company with the fallen. When a sick or weak goose drops out of flight, another goose joins it, to help and protect.
Thank God for lessons of High-Flying Geese! They will help guide this parish on its journey through life. Amen.
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