The question at hand has everything to do with money if it has to do with employment and employment discrimination. Denominational policy, not theology is the question at hand.  Patterson doesn't mention the priesthood of anything.  I understand his argument.

 Adventists have a denominational structure that is extremely hierarchical and not democratic in the sense that the 'demos' people or their elected representatives make decisions, the hierarchy makes the decisions and the hierarchy chooses the leadership.

Patterson is making an argument based on denominational structure, not ecclesiastical structure, they are not the same thing.  We all know Adventists have no popes or cardinals - it is not the question at hand.