When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope

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Devin Pope was raised in Springville, Utah, and studied Economics at Brigham Young University before earning a PhD in Economics from University of California, Berkeley. He worked at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is now a professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the University of Chicago. Devin and his wife Linda have four children and have held a variety of callings in the Church. He is currently the bishop of the Hyde Park 2nd Ward in Chicago.

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The Power of Everyday Missionaries
Rallying the Ward Around Sacrament Meeting | A How I Lead Interview with Ryan Webb
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Highlights

Bishop Devin Pope leads the fastest-growing and most-baptizing ward in North America, located in Southside Chicago. He discusses his experiences and innovative approaches to missionary work, particularly in a diverse and densely-populated area with over a million residents.

Devin recounts his journey from serving as a ward mission leader to becoming bishop, emphasizing the importance of community engagement through events that welcome families into the church without a proselytizing agenda. He describes various successful community events, such as movie nights, indoor carnivals, and a popular haunted house that attracts thousands of attendees each year. These events aim to create a sense of belonging and familiarity with the church, ultimately leading to increased interest in church attendance. He also addresses the challenges of retaining new converts, highlighting the need for the church to provide meaningful support and assistance to families, particularly single mothers and migrants, who often face significant struggles.

Devin emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment during sacrament meetings and adapting the format to engage attendees better. He shares strategies for making church services more dynamic and inclusive, such as varying the types of talks and encouraging participation from all members, regardless of their background. The discussion culminates in a focus on the recent influx of migrants to Chicago, with Devin advocating for compassion and support for these new neighbors, regardless of political views. This conversation serves as a powerful reminder of the church’s mission to love and serve all individuals, fostering a sense of community and belonging within the church.

00:02:39 – Introduction with Bishop Devin Pope

00:04:57 – Devin’s Background and Calling

00:06:40 – Missionary Work and Community Dynamics

00:08:43 – Community Events: Engaging the Local Population

00:11:45 – Creative Community Event Ideas

00:14:40 – No Proselytizing Zone: Building Relationships

00:16:04 – Frequency and Planning of Community Events

00:17:22 – Popular Community Events: Haunted House and More

00:20:01 – Utilizing Church Facilities for Community Engagement

00:21:02 – Learning from Failed Events

00:22:10 – Involvement of Missionaries and Ward Members

00:23:56 – Budgeting for Community Events

00:24:34 – Shifting Focus to Community Outreach

00:25:29 – Organic Growth: Inviting People to Church

00:27:18 – Pizza Nights: Informal Introductions to the Church

00:29:39 – The Role of Missionaries in the Ward

00:30:00 – Retaining New Converts: Importance of Community

00:31:04 – Enhancing Sacrament Meetings for Engagement

00:34:22 – Providing Value to New Members

00:36:14 – Long-Term Welfare Support for Families

00:39:25 – Balancing Welfare Needs and Community Support

00:40:17 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment

00:44:19 – Addressing the Needs of Migrant Families

00:45:40 – Engaging with Local Migrant Communities

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.