Music and interaction at The Light service at Sioux Falls First UMC. Photos courtesy of Sioux Falls First.

“We are reaching people that might not have been reached. People experience the Holy Spirit in different ways. The Light worship service invites people to a multi-sensory—lights, sound, contemporary music and movement— experience that is not in a church sanctuary.” That is how Pastor Taylor Johnson, leader of The Light worship team at Sioux Falls First United Methodists Church, describes The Light service that happens at 11:15 each Sunday morning.

Three years ago Sioux Falls First redesigned their worship services. The congregation was involved in the Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI). MCCI is a revitalization process that involves, self-study, intensive training and a visit from a consultation team that gives recommended prescriptions. One of the prescriptions was to relocate the contemporary worship service into their multi-purpose room. The idea was to welcome people who might feel overwhelmed walking into a traditional worship service in the sanctuary.

One demographic does not define the group of 50-55 people that gather in the multi-purpose room at Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church. “We’re kind of a Motley Crew,” describes Johnson. “There is a little bit of everybody. Some people come because they are new in town. Others come because they do not want to go to a traditional service in a sanctuary. And then there are those that wander in that have not heard about Jesus. They are curious and it feels comfortable.”

Johnson has worked with volunteers to create a lead team that plans and carries out the worship each week. The space where worship takes place is used in multiple ways. So the stage, lights, chairs and all of the other components the team plans, have to be set up and taken down before and after the service.  

The new service has been evolving as leaders step up. Pastor Taylor, along with Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, lead pastor at Sioux Falls First UMC, has been involved in the Multiply Leaders compass group. The learning covenant group, led by Rev. Roger Spahr, district superintendent, connects knowledge and partnership.

“There have been six lessons that we listen to. Then we discuss the ideas and expand on them. The discussion that we have and the connections we make with each other have been helpful to me and I think to the others,” said Johnson.

Pastor Taylor Johnson delivers the message at Sioux Falls First UMC.

Taylor is quick to share that learning new ways to get new leaders has been very beneficial part of the multiply leaders group. “It has been great to get ideas about encouraging people into leadership. When you are starting a new service, you are trying to get a group of people involved that are not a part of your church,” he said. “People in similar situations reassured me. It was great, to get feedback that you are doing things right. You have to keep pushing through.”

Rev. Ben Ingebretson, director of new church development for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area has shaped the content for the Multiply Leaders program. “The knowledge and gifts that Rev. Ben Ingebretson brings to the Multiply Leaders program have been very beneficial,” Taylor shared.

Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, standing far left, receives a congratulations from Bishop Bruce R. Ough, second from left, while Pastor Taylor Johnson, receives the Multiply Matters award from Rev. Ben Ingebretson, far right.

The Light service has created a unique community. “There are still more people to reach,” said Johnson. “I am so grateful for where we are but it would be awesome to see 100 people and out grow our space. Maybe start another service.”

The first ever, Dakotas Conference Multiplying Matters Award was awarded Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church for expansion of their ministry with The Light Service.  Johnson along with Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, received the award at the 2018 Dakotas Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from Rev. Ben Ingebretson.