"...Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" (Acts 14:22)

Bruce Larson, in his book Wind and Fire, points out some interesting facts about sandhill cranes: "These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have three remarkable qualities. First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose leaders who can handle turbulence. And then, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation." (From Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, p. 118)

It sounds like sandhill cranes have some natural God-given qualities which we would do well to apply to the church. Certainly, we need leaders who can handle turbulence and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared. And, most of all, we need a congregation where all the members are honking encouragement.