Church Shift

Book Review.

Adelaja, Sunday. Church Shift. Revolutionizing your faith, church, and life for the 21st century. Charisma House- 2008
S.A.- founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of God church in Kyviv, Ukraine, the largest church in Europe.

Comment. Henry
An amazing story! The endorsements include that of President Clinton. Sunday firmly believes that the church is the salvation of the nation and must therefore become very involved in its nation. (This does not seem to be separation of church and state.) Born in Nigeria and educated in Russia, Sunday had great potential as an international journalist but chose rather to become a pastor. He is a recognized leader at the highest level in the Ukraine and personally was involved in the Orange Revolution in 2004. A very inspiring and challenging read.

There are strong “kingdom principles” (13) that need to characterize the church and its impact on its nation. God’s redemptive plan is not only for individuals but also for nations.
1 Peter 2:9.

We all have our Promised Land where we are to labor for the Kingdom. It is outside of the church and we must discover it. An ongoing process of education is part of this discovery. Doing Kingdom work requires that we become “kingdom minded”. (49)

Success is the result of hard work. Sunday shares his story of coming to Russia from Nigeria to go to university and being supernaturally called to become a pastor. His academic training for ministry included severe persecution. “Persecution gives us the perfect platform to overcome evil with good.” (92)

Sunday’s first job in Kyviv was as a journalist. Then he became a pastor. “My breakthrough came when I left the pulpit and went to the streets to look for the outcasts.” (97) The Kingdom does not happen without a fight. Some of Sunday’s victories are related. Being a deliverer is part of being an effective Kingdom leader.

“Three practical principles- have given our efforts great effectiveness. Two million people have come to Christ at the altar of our church.” (133) Teach kingdom principles. Serve society. Follow up good ideas that will impact our culture with necessary organization.

It is very important to have a balance between prayer and action. Know when to transition from prayer to action. A moving story is told of the Orange Revolution that happened in 2004 and the part that Sunday and his church had in it. “When the church takes a strong, visible stance in society, godly people will more easily rise to positions of influence and power.” (173)

Sunday tells about being invited to the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York. There was only one other pastor there along with many high level leaders. “The Christian community is largely mute on the major issues of the day.” (177) The challenge is made very strongly to be available and ready to move when it comes to our part in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.