by Sara Peters

You can do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. 

But, as the new pastor of Dwight United Methodist Church points out, isn’t that the definition of insanity? 

“That’s why I’m here,” said Lance Leeds, 48, who hails most recently from downstate Vienna. “I’m just a little something different.”

Leeds took over in early July after moving to Dwight with his wife of 25 years, Judy, and he says he’s honored to lead the congregation’s recent commitment to change. 

“I want to create an environment where people feel comfortable to stick their toe in the water,” he said. “I’m interested in creating an atmosphere of welcome and excellence in everything that we do. It’s not perfection, but it’s excellence.” 

Already, church members say they’re invigorated by his energetic sermons and ability to connect one-on-one. 

“He is so enthusiastic, it’s catchy,” said long-time member Karla Behounek. “He has kind of a universal appeal to both the younger people and the older people. I think he’s going to be really good for us.”

Born and raised in western Illinois in Pike County, Leeds graduated from Pleasant Hill High School. He and Judy have two sons: Tyler, 21, and Brayden, 18. 

Leeds joins the church during a time when members recently went through some soul searching as they established some new goals for the church that include increasing membership and attracting younger members. 

It’s a ‘new horizon’ at the church - that’s the theme of this month’s Vacation Bible School - and future plans include hiring a youth pastor, as well as hiring a new music director. 

But how, exactly, does a church attract younger members? 

You have to speak their language, Leeds says. 

One of his first orders of business in Dwight was establishing a Facebook page for the church: Dwight United Methodist Church. It instantly grew to almost 80 members. 

“We understand that social networking is how we communicate now. If you want to reach younger people, you have to speak their language,” he said. “Sometimes that requires some change in the standard way of doing business. The way that you’ve always done it may not reach the folks that you need to reach.”

Church members who join this group receive regular Facebook notices about new postings of the church’s events, prayer requests, upcoming meetings and more. 

It’s reaching many people that would not otherwise be reached, he said. Communicating has always been a strong suit of Leeds, who graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in radio and television. His last secular job before being called to God was as general manager of an AM/FM combo station in Pittsfield.  

He attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston and went on to serve in Smithfield, Astoria, Geneseo and Rantoul. He most recently spent the last five years in Vienna. 

Leeds says his major philosophy is eliminating people’s reasons to avoid church. Church doesn’t have to be boring, he says.  

“Boring church is just a sin,” he said. “Of all the people who have any reason to be excited about something - it’s the followers of Christ. It’s not like we’re people who have no hope.”

Church isn’t a fashion show. 

“You will rarely see me in a tie. I mean rarely, rarely, rarely,” he said. “People often say ‘I don’t have nice enough clothes.’ Dude, you don’t need nice enough clothes, come as you are, we’ll love you.”

Church doesn’t require a dictionary. 

“It doesn’t do any good to flex your brain to try to come up with any big theological words,” he said. “Just be real, and you’re still able to connect scripture to everyday life.”

He believes in keeping it real. 

“Just be real, and you are still able to connect scripture with everyday life,” he said. “I use humor and just real life experience in midst of the preaching.”

People are already responding to his leadership with increased attendance. 

“The word is out,” said church member Laura Vigna, of Dwight. “People are loving him. It’s the greatest thing. It’s been wonderful.” 

Dwight is somewhere Leeds said he’d like to call home for many years. Although he can’t predict the future - methodist pastors are up for reappointment annually - the rock pond that once resided in Rantoul and Vienna is permanently planted in his parsonage yard. 

“All the times before we rock landscaped around it. This time I actually dug a hole and planted it,” he said. “It’s symbolic for me. My pond is planted, as am I.”