Being with God – The Absurdity, Necessity, and Neurology of Contemplative Prayer

Outreach 2022 Recommended Resource (Spiritual Growth) All fruitful doing must begin with being. For many Christians, it's easy to be swept up into the fast pace of modern life, desiring to do much for God. But we struggle to slow down and be with God. According to pastor, Enneagram teacher, and author AJ Sherrill, being with God is what empowers doing for God. Sherrill shares his own journey from ""busy"" Christianity to the ancient paths of contemplative practices. He equips readers to integrate rhythms of stillness, silence, and solitude, offering step-by-step guidance and examples of finding solitude both personally and on retreats. Sherrill warns that making these changes appears absurd in a society where time is money, productivity is central, and hurry is a way of life. He guides readers gently through the beginning and often confusing stages of contemplative practice. Citing timely insights from the world of neurology and mental health, he shows that solitude is crucial not only for Christian growth but also for holistic flourishing. Foreword by Rich Villodas. Readers will emerge, centered in Christ, well on their way to this goal: slow down, pay attention, be still, and be loved.

AJ Sherrill (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) has more than twenty years of experience as a pastor, including as lead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is now lead pastor at St. Peter's Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches popular courses on transformational preaching and the Enneagram. Sherrill receives many speaking requests to lead Enneagram workshops across the country and is the author of The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation.

How Intimacy with God Changes Our Hearts--and Our Brains Author, pastor, and spiritual formation expert AJ Sherrill exposes the effects of living in a world full of noise and anxiety. He shows how quiet and contemplation are crucial not only for spiritual growth but also for mental health, and he helps us integrate practices of solitude into our daily lives. "In this book, you'll discover that contemplative prayer is for everyone, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. . . . So sit down, take a deep breath, and open yourself to God's presence through these pages. I'm so glad I did."-- Rich Villodas (from the foreword)"Years ago AJ first told me of his desire to apply prayer and brain science to this cultural moment. If you're in search of a deeper life with God, I highly recommend Being with God ."-- John Mark Comer , founding pastor, Bridgetown Church; author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry "In a frantic, busy-obsessed world, too many Christians have settled for an anemic Christian life. Sherrill pastorally calls for Christians to disentangle themselves from the loud clamoring of the world by embracing the formational rhythms of Jesus and entering into the depths of a gracious, loving, and kind God."-- Tara Beth Leach , author of Emboldened and Radiant Church "AJ gifts the church with needed, helpful insights into the crazed culture we live in and the way our minds work. If you, like me, struggle to get quiet, read this book."-- Sean Palmer , teaching pastor, Ecclesia Houston; author of Forty Days on Being a Three (Enneagram Daily Reflections)"Sherrill's insights will reshape your soul, which will in turn reshape your life in the world."-- Bishop Todd Hunter , author of Deep Peace: Finding Calm in a World of Conflict and Anxiety

All fruitful doing must begin with being . For many Christians, it's easy to be swept up into the fast pace of modern life, desiring to do much for God. But we struggle to slow down and be with God.According to pastor, Enneagram teacher, and author AJ Sherrill, being with God is what empowers doing for God. Sherrill shares his own journey from "busy" Christianity to the ancient paths of contemplative practices. He equips readers to integrate rhythms of stillness, silence, and solitude, offering step-by-step guidance and examples of finding solitude both personally and on retreats.Sherrill warns that making these changes appears absurd in a society where time is money, productivity is central, and hurry is a way of life. He guides readers gently through the beginning and often confusing stages of contemplative practice. Citing timely insights from the world of neurology and mental health, he shows that solitude is crucial not only for Christian growth but also for holistic flourishing. Foreword by Rich Villodas.Readers will emerge, centered in Christ, well on their way to this goal: slow down, pay attention, be still, and be loved.

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