Randy Pope discusses his faith journey, church planting experience, and discipleship approach.

Key Takeaways

– Randy Pope transitioned from a promising career in dentistry to church planting after discerning God’s call through extended prayer and reflection

– Pope developed a “life-on-life” discipleship model focused on truth, equipping, accountability, mission, and supplication (TEAMS)

– Perimeter Church grew significantly, but Pope emphasizes church health over size and integrating discipleship into the church’s DNA

– Pope now leads Life on Life Ministries, training churches globally in discipleship practices

Topics

Randy Pope’s Faith Journey

– Raised in a liberal Protestant church, came to faith through friends inviting him to a different church

– Mentored by godly leaders in high school through Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru)

– Initially planned to become a dentist, but felt called to ministry after experiencing the impact of sharing his faith

Discerning God’s Call

– Spent extensive time in prayer and reflection, writing down thoughts and asking God to “burn” His will deeply into his heart

– Felt called to church planting despite initial reluctance to pastoral ministry

– Moved to Atlanta with his wife and 2-month-old child, having only $10 to their name

Church Planting and Growth

– Founded Perimeter Church in Atlanta

– Church grew rapidly, gaining national attention as an innovative congregation

– Pope realized the church wasn’t as healthy as outsiders perceived, leading to development of discipleship model

Life-on-Life Discipleship Model (TEAMS)

– Truth: Studying Scripture with homework and preparation

– Equipping: Making truth understandable and applicable

– Accountability: Addressing root sins, not just behavior

– Mission: Engaging in evangelism and service

– Supplication: Praying with and for others

– Model based on 3-year commitment, meeting weekly for 28 weeks per year

Church Health vs. Church Size

– Pope emphasizes focusing on church health rather than numerical growth

– Compares unhealthy church growth to rapid, unhealthy weight gain

Advice for Passing Faith to Children

1. Be a sincere worshipper (daily personal time with God, weekly corporate worship)

2. Be a faithful disciple-maker (actively engaging with non-believers)

3. Be an effective disciple trainer (investing deeply in a few to bring them to maturity)

Next Steps

– Listeners interested in the Life on Life discipleship model can visit lifeonlife.org

– Two booklets available: “Making Disciples Life on Life” and “Training Disciples Life on Life”

– Pope continues to lead Life on Life Ministries, training churches globally in discipleship practices