My people hath been lost sheep:
their shepherds have caused them
to go astray,
to go astray,
they have turned them away on the mountains:
they have gone from mountain to hill,
they have forgotten their restingplace.
Jeremiah 50:6
Pastor Ryan J. Bell of the Hollywood SDA Church in California had his employment terminated. On one hand this was sad to see someone fired.
But on the other hand it was necessary.
Some comments of ex-pastor Bell on the subject include - “my views about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals is one significant issue.” And, “I have expressed discomfort with the expression that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy ... feeling that statement simply goes too far” as well as “ambiguity about the church’s belief in a literal six-day creation.”
So as you can see, on homosexuality, creation vs. evolution & the interpretation of the latter part of Revelation 12, Mr. Bell disagrees with the Church. But there is more to the story. Bell was dabbling in the modern gnostic movement known as the emerging church. He was a supporter of men like Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt & the likes of Tony Campolo. These men are at odds with nearly everything taught in Scripture. Their religion is a hallow Christianity at best. Also, Bell led his Church into celebrating Lent, Catholic style. He also openly used his church for political activism. But above all, he turned over the pulpit on a Sabbath day to a Muslim Imam. And how could one forget when he turned over the pulpit to La Sierra professor Trisha Famisaran who then went on a diatribe about "staright" privilege and her praising of the provocative secular singer Lady Gaga from the pulpit.
He that killeth an ox
is as if he slew a man;
he that sacrificeth a lamb,
as if he cut off a dog's neck;
he that offereth an oblation,
as if he offered swine's blood;
he that burneth incense,
as if he blessed an idol.
Yea,
they have chosen their own ways,
and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Isaiah 66:3
As Bell went to several non-Adventist colleges...it wasn't Bell spreading the truth to them. It seems Mr. Bell adopted their views instead. SO....Why should he receive a pay check from a church to be a minister when he opposes many of the church's teachings? Answer: He shouldn't.
The Hollywood Church had (and apparently still has) the following on Friday nights during the beginning of the Sabbath hours: "Each Friday night at 8 p.m. we host Friday Nights @ The Underground in the downstairs Underground Room. This is a fun way to bring in the weekend with movie nights, game nights, barbecues and dinners."
As Mr. Bell himself said - "I have come to on my journey and the spirit of pursuing new truth has put me increasingly at odds with the SDA corporation.I have over the past six weeks spoken with Elder Caviness about where I think I can fit better within the framework of the Southern California Conference and where I think it would be a violation of my conscience to change. The conclusion is that I should part ways with employment in the Seventh-day Adventist Church."As E.G.W. would say - "If workers have no relish for the truth;...then, after sufficient trial, separate them from the work; for their irreligion and unbelief influence others." Testimonies for the Church vol.7, p.202 E.G.W.
"The leaders are responsible not only for their own unsanctified mistakes,
but for the mistakes of those who follow their example.
When reproved for bringing in wrong principles they manifest a perverse spirit,
a spirit that will not be corrected or humbled."
Manuscript Releases vol.18 p.38 E.G.W.