Each Sunday at 11:15, you will find 50-70 people gathered at Grand Forks Wesley at Ignite worship.  Ignite worship, contemporary in style, is designed to reach out to those who would prefer a different way to praise the Lord. Grand Forks Wesley hopes to engage more people and increase worship attendance through Ignite worship.

The theme for worship is  Ingite your life. Transform the world.  “It is a way for us to think about worship in a new way, inspiring new disciples,” said Rev. Howie Baird, Grand Forks Wesley.

Photo: Leslie Saulsbury and Rev. Howie Baird sing and play during a recent Ignite service. Photos by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference UMC.

The number of people who say they “seldom” or “never” attend religious services (aside from weddings and funerals) has risen modestly in the past decade. Roughly three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) now say they seldom or never attend worship services, up from 25% in 2003, according to aggregated data from Pew Research Center surveys. The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady; 37% say they attend at least weekly today, compared with 39% a decade ago.

“Our hope is to increase our worship attendance through Ignite worship and the MCCI process,” said Baird. “The church use to see about 400 in worship each Sunday and now we see just under 150.”

Wesley UMC is part of the second cohort of churches in the Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI). MCCI is comprised of a flight of churches each year that have been recommended by the cabinet are ready to start a new lifecycle in their ministry. The revitalization process is a 2-3-year journey.

What is Ignite worship like? Singers, guitars, drums, piano and a bass player gather early, to practice the set of music for Ignite worship. At 11:10 a 5-minute countdown begins on the screen.  People trickle in, enjoying casual conversation with one another.  The music begins, people sing along, clap, move and raise their hands with the music.  After two songs a short video on Psalm 119 is shown, a gathering prayer, a song and then the message. Photo: People sing and pray during an October Ignite service.

Pastor Howie, delivers the message with a conversational, humor and inviting tone. “What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning? It would be so nice to stay in bed and stay under a warm, cozy blanket. We all need to get out of bed, for something. Jesus did and he is there for us each morning.” 

The service ends with music and an invitation to a lunch for young professionals.  People strand around visiting and leave in clusters.

Leslie Saulsbury, the lead singer and worship coordinator for Ignite, packs up her instrument with a smile on her face.  “I love Ignite worship,” she said. “It is such an awesome way to worship. It feeds my soul. I see it reaching a lot of people that would not be reached.” Photo: Leslie Saulsbury singing during a recent Ignite service.