Innovation
COACHING
CONSULTING
R
State of the Union
You can’t control them. That is obvious. I meet pastors and leaders everyday who continue to seek answers as to why their youth programs yield little to no fruit in the years following; why young adult after young adult seems to be walking out of the church faster than Apple Inc. releases new products. For statistics on young adults to prove what you already know to be true, click here: Barna Group
Simplexity
A word I’ve hijacked from science to generalize young adults today. The solution to aiding this generation in returning to the body of Christ is complex, yet is driven due to the lack of spiritual simplicity. Weary of programatic church machines, many are walking out to explore other options of spiritual vitality. However, it is not as simple as offering alternative services with candles, coffee and acoustics. What I’ve experienced in contexts such as Nashville to Orlando to Los Angeles are three completely different stories that beg for completely different approaches. After all, we are dealing with humans here, not widgets. There is not one solution to this dilemma we find ourselves in. The solution(s) is/are highly contextual and relies more heavily on prayer, the mind and authenticity than we know.
(R)innovation
Renovating the Church for the renewal of the City.
Carl George /
Meta Church - Church Growth Consultant said:
AJ Sherrill gets it. Twenty-somethings who hear him quickly grasp that he does. He goes for the jugular as he challenges his generation not to settle for less -- that there is a larger meaning in life than swinging between self gratification and pain. AJ has style -- he is not irksome -- no scoldings as from church bosses and the thought police. He has a contagious charisma, attracting young adults who discover they want much more for their lives than amusement and uncovers in them a desire to go beyond being good. He inspires them to imagine they can make a difference while inviting them to bring their friends along for the journey.
Charlie Hall /
Lead Worshiper; Passion said:
AJ is a young guy with deep thoughts, lots of life, a love for Jesus and our world.
As I have experienced him over the last 5 years I believe God has his hand on
AJ to re-imagine the people of God and how they work their lives out spiritually with the people of this awesome and broken culture. AJ has a grasp on this and is walking it out in our brave
new world.
Tommy Kiedis /
Director of Global Outreach, Spanish River Church said:
God has given AJ a unique combination of generational understanding, genuine passion, strategic thinking and practical action. He's ideally suited for serving his local community and the church at large in reaching an emerging generation.
Relevant Leader said:
AJ Sherrill knows about change. In the past year, he’s moved from Florida, where he pastored Status, a congregation of hundreds, to California where he began Origins Church ...
Since launching Origins in May, Sherrill has worked to build relationships with the people of Long Beach, creating a church that actively partners with its community.
Jameson Reeder /
The Community Gathering, South Florida said:
A.J. has been the person I can count on in times that I have needed someone reliable to consult with, about the strategic advancement of the Kingdom in my city. As a pastor, and a person who is committed to seeing the gospel come alive in my region, I can think of no better counselor than A.J. to have along no matter what the physical distance may be that separates us. His encouragement as a friend, the evidence of evolution and the endurance that comes with being a committed disciple of Jesus is what I look for in those that I ask to help shape me and my community.
1717 E. 2nd St.
Long Beach, CA. 90802
What exactly I do -
The majority of works being published today around the concept of the next generation(s) are dealing with starting from scratch. Although this is a needed task, equally needed are churches in search of fresh ideas who have been around. I assist churches feel stuck where they are and desire to create a new chapter within their context.
When it comes to the area of consulting and coaching my passion lies foremost in 1. examining a local context and 2. assessing current leadership gift mix. With these two elements discovered and utilized, a ministry may then prayerfully move toward creating appropriate environments for their generation to be the church in. Below are some approaches taken in each consulting task.
::Idea Generation - Meeting with your team to understand contextual dynamics
::Core inspiration - Developing what could and should be in your environment based upon team
::Team Transformation - Guiding team through transformative sessions of who we are and who we’re supposed to be
::Ministry Implementation - Creating a strategic plan that is measurable and effective
::Follow Up - Returning to improve on decision(s) made and capitalize on new opportunities in community
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