In the Woods

Rev Dev is back in the woods! A year after stepping away from Woodland, Devon joins Pete and Sarah to catch up on life, family, ministry, and what God has been teaching him through a season he did not necessarily expect. The conversation turns toward what it means to faithfully teach Scripture when the message is difficult. How do pastors speak hard truth without preaching out of anger? How much should a communicator consider how a message will be received? And how do you make sure the Word of God is being used to invite people toward Jesus rather than simply as a hammer? They also talk about finding your own voice as a leader, the tension between confidence and humility, and learning to trust the way God has uniquely wired different people to serve His Church. A thoughtful conversation about calling, preaching, leadership, truth, grace, and doing the heart work necessary to faithfully communicate God’s Word.

After a week away, the In the Woods podcast returns with a conversation that begins with Lane reflecting on a 25th anniversary trip to Maui and the unexpected gift of rest during a new season of life. From traveling outside the usual summer months to exploring the island and the ongoing search for the BEST shave ice in Maui (spoiler alert: they found it), the trip provides a starting point for a much broader discussion about rest, change, and appreciating the seasons God provides. The conversation then shifts to a Sunday filled with technical challenges at both Woodland campuses and the lessons that can come from things not going according to plan. Those experiences lead into a discussion about excellence in the church and the tension that can exist between creativity, production, technology, and worship. Is pursuing excellence a distraction from the purpose of the church, or can developing and using the gifts God has given His people be an act of worship itself? The question ultimately becomes less about whether something is impressive and more about the heart behind it and who receives the glory. That discussion opens into a deeper examination of humility and the profound influence the life and teachings of Jesus have had on the values often taken for granted in Western culture. Jesus demonstrated a humility that was not rooted in denying His identity or value, but in willingly using His position to serve and elevate others. Biblical humility does not require abandoning beauty, creativity, confidence, or excellence. Instead, followers of Jesus are called to hold those things together, pursuing what is good and beautiful while continually asking whether it is being done for personal glory or for the glory of God. The episode concludes by looking ahead in Matthew as Woodland begins a new section, **A King Misunderstood**, examining passages that continue to reveal the identity of Jesus, including the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus walking on water, and Peter stepping out of the boat.

In this episode, we explore how personality shapes the way we parent and why comparison can rob us of the confidence and grace God intends for us to have. The truth is that God didn't accidentally place your children in your home. He knew your strengths, your quirks, your temperament, and even your limitations when He entrusted them to you.

In this episode, we sit down with Chase Clifford to talk about his journey of faith, his recent appointment as a board member at Woodland Church, and the experiences that have shaped his walk with Christ. We explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday mornings, remain faithful through life's storms, and cultivate a faith that endures. Join us for an honest discussion about faith, values, and building a life that lasts.

This episode explores the “mementos” of faithfulness we cling to: answered prayers, unexpected provision, healed wounds, timely words, old journals, songs, places, people, and moments that remind us God has not changed. Not every reminder removes anxiety instantly, but remembrance can steady us long enough to trust Him again.

Money is one of the most sensitive and revealing topics in the church. In this episode, we sit in the tension: if the tithe isn’t a law, then what is it? Obligation? Invitation? Tradition? Join us as we unpack some of the complexities around giving in the modern church; how generosity actually keeps things moving, while also naming the questions most people are thinking: Where is this money going? What’s actually expected of me? And how do I give without it turning into guilt, pressure, or performance?

In this episode, we’re having a real, honest conversation about Easter Sunday, church production, and the heart behind it all. How do we pursue excellence without creating distractions with our presentation? How do we create a space for people to encounter the Lord without overfilling it with ourselves? Let's talk about it!