Woodlawn Family Ministry

I can still remember the very clear words spoken to me a few years ago when I accepted my first ministry position in Corvallis, Oregon.  As I was having a Bible study with another minister who was older and more experienced, he calmly leaned over and said, "Dwayne, I hope and pray that you become a dissatisfied Christian."  Dissatisfied!  His words were almost offensive.  After all, Christians were supposed to experience joy and fulfillment as they lived together in the faith.  Since then, I’ve come to appreciate his prayer and, more importantly, have realized that he simply meant that he hoped that I would never become complacent or docile in my faith.  After all, the lift of faith in Christ is one that includes continuous effort (Phil. 2:12) and self-sacrifice (Phil. 2:5-11).

I am eager to begin serving Woodlawn in my new ministry role, and cannot thank you enough for the way that you have been our faith family the past 3 years.  Like the minister who shared with me his desire for my growth, I hope and pray that all of us at Woodlawn would be dissatisfied Christians; not unhappy or without fulfillment, but always living with Christ’s joy and desire to always make the church a better place.  I look forward to the ministry that we will do together as we “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

     Your Partner in Ministry
     Dwayne

Judas Iscariot . . . What word picture forms in your mind as you hear that name?  Many people think of a traitor.  Some call to mind a greedy man.  Both of these are correct, but did anyone call to mind a critic?

In John chapter twelve, Jesus is only a few days away from death.  He goes to the house of his friend, Lazarus, at Bethany.  Martha serves the meal and Mary wipes the feet of Jesus with a fragrant ointment.  Mary’s act of love should have brought words of praise and thanks.  But Judas Iscariot chooses instead to be the critic.  Out of his selfish heart he worries about the waste of the ointment.

We also have our share of critics in the church.  They may have never preached a sermon, taught a class, led a song, assisted with a ministry group, or served as an elder, but they do know how it should be done.  They love to use phrases like, "It will never work," and "That is a waste of the Lord’s time and money."

It has been said that the world has so many critics because it is much easier to criticize than to appreciate.  This may be true because it takes no talent, no self-denial, no intelligence and no character to be a critic.

Lazarus opened his home to Jesus.  Martha served a meal.  Mary lovingly bathed the feet of Jesus.  Judas criticized.  What do you do?

     -- Larry Gill

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