4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Most of us on several occasions have imagined or thought that pastors’ lives are easy, simple and hassle free. Elijah Oladimeji in his book Pastoring is Not What You Think looks at the life of Pastor Job, his Ministry, his life and his family, what follows will make one realize that pastoring is not an easy calling.
From the book we find Pastor Job who is happily married to Lorraine, and they are blessed with three children, Jordan, Andrea and Esther. Pastor Job and his wife are so much in love, they are mature Christians who love their work. They share lots of jokes, they tease each other, and they support each other in their call. Pastor Job is a composed man, rarely losing his cool but remaining steadfast in his belief in God.
Pastor Job is a respected man in the society, on numerous occasions he is confronted with people who seek either his prayers, counselling or general advice. On one occasion, he is approached by a group of youths who seek his advice on women. On a different occasion, a group of young women stop him with a complaint that men are unfair and wicked. In another incident, Pastor Job invites Mr. and Mrs. Williams for a marriage counseling session, but Mr. William does not show up. Pastor Job tries and reaches him on phone, but their conversation which is constantly interrupted by Mrs. William ends prematurely and with no success. And in yet another incident, in the middle of the night, Pastor Job receives a call from Mr. Pablo Rodriguez, an illegal immigrant, asking for prayers so that he may not be deported to Mexico. Pastor Job manages to pray for him and does all he can to halt his deportation. Rodriguez is finally deported but as it turns out, moving to Mexico works out in his favor.
Pastor Job has a low and unstable income which cannot sustain him and his family. He does not get adequate sleep and rest because he is either praying for his flock or attending to their problems. The church rent is in arrears, and Mr. Reed, the landlord, constantly threatens to lock the church. Mr. Reed believes that churches have a lot of money and they should promptly settle their bills. These happenings highlight how appropriate the book title is, to most of us, pastoring is a walk in the path. At one time, Lorraine wonders why God seems to take long to bless them. Before starting the church, Pastor Job and Lorraine dreamt of a big Ministry, Mass choir, mission to other countries, associate assistants and administrators, but with passage of time, it is evident that all these do not come easy. They cannot afford a car they had promised to get for their mother the last time she visited. Lorraine is frustrated to an extent of cancelling her mother's next planned visit. Loraine wonders why, her sister who had lived a life ‘without faith’, got a good job after college and is happily married with enough income to buy a house and cars.
Pastor Job faces some trying moments when a fellow pastor die. Pastor Ray Babcock died aged thirty-seven leaving behind a wife and two daughters. He died of blood pressure, possibly brought about by stresses that come with running a church. Many times, Pastor Job worries his wife sick when he talks in his sleep, she invites Dr. Weinstein, a psychiatry that had treated him in the past to assess him. The psychiatry reassures them that it is nothing serious, Pastor John only needs to get adequate rest.
I would rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. I found the book educative. There are several hilarious remarks that made me glued to the book to the very end.
I noticed a few typos, for example, the word lunch is written as launch, however, this cannot stop one from liking the book.
I would recommend the book to Christians and non-Christians alike. Pastoring like any other calling requires devotion and hard work, there is always something more to what it appears to be.
******
Pastoring is not what you think
View: on Bookshelves
Like Manaka's review? Post a comment saying so!
