You can’t lead well if you can’t laugh well (w/ Andy Heis)
Feb 10, 2022Andy Heis started Desperation Church just a handful of years ago in the Cullman area.
He worked for 12 years in another church— the same one where he’d been saved. It was, he says, an incredible church— a great experience.
In his words, “The Lord called me away when we were at the peak.”
This is important. Many times, people leave when things are at the bottom. Andy moved on when the Lord directed him, leaving a great opportunity for a chance to do something that didn’t yet exist.
Cullman, the hub of Desperation Church, is a churched area.
So, he wasn’t sure WHY God called him there. But, at the end of a 21-day fast, he began to see it.
Now, they reach a lot of— in his words— “de-churched” people.
“God helped me walk through a lot of religion and legalism,” Andy says, “so I’m able to help others in the same way.”
Desperation found their niche in in small towns, scattered throughout North Central Alabama.
You can currently find them in—
- Cullman (main campus)
- Jasper
- Hayden
- Arab
“In the big cities you have Targets and Wal-marts,” he said. “Out in the country, you have Dollar General. We’re the Dollar General of the church world.”
Andy begs pastors to find a band of brothers. Sure, he enjoys “talking church” and even theology (to learn, even with leaders who see things differently), but— even better than those conversations is the talks where you can be yourself.
Where you can connect.
Where you know you’re not alone.
Where you can cry and laugh at the same time.
“Most pastors are uptight,” Andy says. “They don’t feel safe. They carry the weight of so much…”
Furthermore, “The only people who know pastors ARE pastors… “
In truth, you can’t lead well if you can’t laugh well. Find a place where you can laugh.
The enemy doesn’t want you connected, though. He wants you isolated, separated.
He’ll try to keep you envious of others. Or focused on areas of disagreement.
“Remember, though, you’re not called to be Rambo— and go at this alone.” Andy reminds us, “You’re called to be a platoon.
Links for the show
Schedule a free strategy session at www.CourageousPastors.com/strategy
The Gathering = www.CourageousPastors.com/gathering
Desperation Church, Cullman
*
Don't miss a post!
We'll update you each time a new pastor-specific blog post or podcast publishes from Courageous Pastors!
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
