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