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

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. Links The Power of Everyday Missionaries
Rallying the Ward Around Sacrament Meeting | A How I Lead Interview
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access to the Core Leader Library 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
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