By Reverend Jo Ann “Joey” Olson
Inland District Superintendent

When my children were young (hmmm, was that just the other day?), they watched an animated version of Gulliver’s Travels. One of the characters on the adventures was a guy named Glum. During any thrilling episode, Glum would intone, “We’re doomed. We’re doomed.” There are times when I hear young and old look at the church and then begin to channel Glum: “We’re doomed. We’re doomed.” Perhaps I could write a book entitled, “Everything I Know About the Church, I Learned as a D.S.”
WE ARE NOT DOOMED.
We are stewards of God’s promise. This promise has been fragile from the time of Adam and Eve. There are churches (not just in the Inland District) who are marvelous stewards of that promise as we faithfully spread the word of God throughout the land.

Just when I think that a church in the District is tanking, something amazing happens. Take Trinity United Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington, for example. They welcomed the neighborhood and the Marshall Islanders into their church. Now, they are sharing space in the name of Jesus Christ.

Also consider Rosalia UMC, which is also in Spokane. Their pastoral support was at half power. Yet, they were surprised by the blessing of a new choir and 100 parishioners on Easter Sunday!

WE ARE NOT DOOMED.
We are invited to “tell the story of unseen things above” and below and around. I was in the midst of cross-cultural training and there were those who groused and proclaimed a doomed mentality. But with that, there were others who celebrated the love of Christ by relishing in the diversity of our Conference, the challenge of listening to others tell their meal-time stories, and the realization that reaching out cross-culturally is God’s vision for abundance.

WE ARE NOT DOOMED.
I hear the gospel story told wonderfully well. I was at Wild Rose on Palm Sunday and this hearty group of 12 retold the story of the Passion of Christ led by their dynamic lay minister. I was at Coeur D’Alene and the worship was celebrating the history of Methodism as General Conference approached. (Whew! We covered a lot of years.)

WE ARE NOT DOOMED…
But we are declining, yes. Ron Hines has been around the District and the Conference inspiring folks to give up their fortress mentality and embrace the missional church.

Many are resonating to this image. During the introduction of a pastor recently, the question came, “What have you learned from the missional church study?” The pastor began to talk about how the church is not ours. That we need to have a clear sense of identity about who we are as the body of Christ and move from “dressing up and waiting for folks to come” to reaching out into the neighborhood in the name of Jesus. The Trinity Ritzville church focuses on the culture of addiction in their midst and offers a gospel of hope and healing to the neighborhood.

WE ARE NOT DOOMED.
Every time I think I see decay and decline, I am surprised by life and heart and soul that seems to be the breath of the Holy Spirit leading us into new faithfulness. There are churches that are clear that Biblical illiteracy is unacceptable. The Cheney church has been going through the Bible, Sunday by Sunday to reclaim the Word of God for their lives and community.

The Green Bluff church claimed new vitality through Disciple Bible study.

WE ARE NOT DOOMED!
Many churches are claiming the vision of God’s abundance. The Harrington church (inspired by the Annual Conference basketball game) held a “Nothing But Nets” volleyball Tournament for the community and raised over $1200 for malaria relief in Africa. St. John UMC church and many others have made a journey to the Vancouver District to offer relief from the floods. I have found it a joy to serve in a district where God’s surprise is around every corner. Let us share the joy as we shout to the heavens, “We are not doomed!”