TWO SUNDAYS ago, in Sunrise, Ft. Lauderdale they came: pastors, deacons, deaconesses, church sisters and brothers, believers and non-believers, family and friends, and they came for one thing Sex in the Church the soon-to-be released book by Pastor Winston 'Bello' Bell. Bell, one of the finest local actors, is known for roles including the timid policeman 'Back Up' in Third World Cop, and a role in the movie One Love. His television credits include roles in ABC's Going To Extremes and All My Children, BBC Channel Four's mini series The Orchid House (where he played alongside the late Madge Sinclair) and the Jamaican soap opera Royal Palm Estate. Bell is also founder and pastor of the Time Out For Jesus Ministries.
The title of the book alone is enough to stimulate interest, with the content taking you deeper and higher. The first draft was completed in three weeks, for Bello, a clear case of divine inspiration. "Once I started writing I just could not stop." He credits his wife, Joy, for having faith in his ability to write and for being his initial sounding board. "When I am excited about a chapter I have just written at three in the morning, I wake her up and read it to her."
WIDE CROSS SECTION OF ISSUES
Sex in the Church deals with a wide cross section of issues related to just that sex in the Church. In his introduction Bell says, "My topic 'Sex in the Church' will not deal with the activity of sexual intercourse within the building known as church (although we hear about that happening sometimes), but rather with the way the Church in general deals with the subject of sex as it regards intercourse." It draws on biblical references from the King James version, which are used to ground his philosophy and underscore his points.
In one chapter, he deals with the fact that many women, young and old, married and unmarried, find men of the cloth attractive. On the one hand, the goal is the status of being the pastor's wife, while there are those who just want to 'fall' the pastor, to prove their sexual power vis-à-vis his weakness and "give new meaning to the term lay preacher." In the book he also tackles his own moments of temptation, and the struggle to say 'no' to an attractive woman intent on 'falling' the young Christian.
SQUEEZING A FEW CORNS
Sex in the Church is likely to squeeze a few corns, and a comment from one of his close friends in the audience was, "Dem sure to read you out of church." The general feeling, however, was that the book dares to put on the discussion table, a topic which the Church seems generally too timid to address, especially at a time when the church is battling with its level of relevance. While not being condemnatory, Bell takes a shot at the many single Christians who pray for a husband or a wife, not because they are ready for marriage, or feel a need to commit to a particular individual, but because they need to have sexual intercourse sanctioned by the Church. He also puts on the discussion table, the many pastors who lead a flock, not necessarily because of a commitment to God, but because they have a degree in theology. Will this stir up the hornets' nest?
Bello, the actor and pastor is, of course, no stranger to controversy. He staunchly defends his right to be an actor and carefully selects his roles, even though some of these roles do not meet public approval. He was described as the 'f-word pastor', for using an expletive in the movie Third World Cop. To that he responds, "That is Winston Bell the actor playing a role."
Sex in the Church is set for a summer launch, with the goal of audio books and film down the line. What is sure, Pastor Winston 'Bello' Bell's book will put a back-burner issue on the front burner. He told his audience, "I am not a writer", but the consensus was that his writing style is witty and engaging. If the response of the Ft. Lauderdale audience during the reading of the draft and in the discussion afterwards is any thing to go by, Pastor Bell has a winner in the making.
Sex in the Church
Author: Pastor Winston Bell
Reviewer: Joan Andrea Hutchinson
