Review on the book "pastoring is not what you think" by elijah oladimeji

Pastoring is not what you think is a book dedicated by Elijah Oladimeji to faithful pastors and Christians who have many personal and family needs. The book is comprised of 102 pages.

The author, Elijah Oladimeji is the founding pastor of Mind of Christ Evangelical Church. He is based in the United States but operates mostly in African and Caribbean countries. He is the author of several books, including the “ Popular man that will not accept Christ”.

The story is about Pastor Job who encounters several problems in his life while being the Pastor of his community. He always seek divine intervention in his financial problems such as his monthly rental dues, his dream of having a truck and his promise to give his wife’s mother a car. Despite of long wait for answers to his prayers, he never lost his faith in God. However, the due date arrived; his wife is nagging him and the collector is asking for the payment of his rent. What would he do now that his prayers are not granted? Would he still pray or starts questioning his faith in God?

The author of this book talks about the struggles of a pastor in his daily life. The main character, Job expresses his opinion in certain matters in his mind and never tells a soul about it unless he talks about it in his sleep. The author wants to impart the message that being a Pastor is not easy because their job is to bring back the sinners and faithless back to the arms of a loving God. It is really a difficult job no matter what angle I look at it, considering the fact that many questions the existence of God and considers the Ten Commandments as a means to stabilize the community.

I honestly dislike the way the author wrote the story. I had a difficulty grasping what the author wants to happen to the main character. It feels like reading the homily but with disclosure of the Priest or in this story the Pastor’s personal life. Each chapter tackles a different topic that does not help the story to progress. I, however, like the message the author wants to impart.

I like the part when the main character expresses his opinion about the inaction of the US Congress in gun violence despite the number of victims. I also like the part when Pastor Job expresses his opinion about people that only seeks God when they are in need or when they are in trouble. It is as if they consider God as Santa Claus who grants wishes but no one bothers to thank Him and asks for forgiveness. I personally love the message of the author that God moves in mysterious ways and in his own time.

I recommend this book to people who are questioning their faith or finding their way back into the arms of our loving God. I also recommend this to people who want to become a servant of God.

I would rate this book as 2 out of 4 stars because the flow of the story is not smooth but the message is there which is great.