Sabbath Nominations, Diet Reform, and Standing as Extremists

Yes, church officers are frequently nominated and elected during meetings held on the Sabbath, often as a direct result of reports rendered by a nominating committeeDG 249.3+1.

The Practice of Sabbath Nominations

The selection of leaders is a sacred process that often takes place during the holy hours of the Sabbath dayDG 249.3. For example, on August 10, 1895, at the Ashfield church in Sydney, the nominating committee rendered its report on the Sabbath, and the election of officers was approved by the congregation immediatelyDG 249.3. Following such elections, it is appropriate for pastors to call the newly chosen officers—including elders, deacons, and deaconesses—to the front to be set apart by prayer and the laying on of handsDG 249.3+1. This pattern of nominating and accepting officers on the Sabbath ensures that the church is organized to move forward with spiritual vigorDG 249.3+1.

Guidelines for Selecting Officers

The process of choosing those who will bear responsibility requires great care and divine discernment6T 85.2+1.

• Avoid Casting Lots: Selecting officers by casting lots is not in accordance with God's order; instead, men of responsibility should be called upon to make the selection2SM 328.6.

• Qualifications: Those chosen should be men and women who are thoroughly converted, spiritually minded, and well-balanced6T 85.2+2. The same qualifications essential for a deacon are equally essential for an elder6LtMs, Ms 1a, 1890, par. 39+1.

• Individual Responsibility: Every member of the church has a voice in choosing the officers who will lead them8T 236.4.

• Term of Service: Leaders should generally be selected for a term of one year, after which they may be re-elected if their service has been a blessing2TT 262.2.

Spiritual Significance of Church Leadership

Church officers are appointed to care for the prosperity of the church and to hunt for the weak and straying souls5MR 447.1+1. They are called to be ensamples to the flock, serving not as lords over God's heritage, but with a ready mind and humility 1 Peter 5:1-49LtMs, Ms 100, 1894, par. 1. When officers and members unite their efforts, the work of God can be finished with powerChS 68.1+1. It is through these appointed agencies that the church maintains order and discipline, ensuring that every member is set to work for the Master5MR 447.1+1.

A Call to Diligence

Regardless of one's position in the church, every believer is urged to live on the plan of addition to ensure their spiritual securityBTS May 1, 1903, par. 3+1. As the scripture exhorts, "give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" 2 Peter 1:10EA 258.4. Let all officers and members seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that the church may be a living, fruit-bearing garden of the Lord's planting6T 85.2. 🌿

Abstaining from animal food is a vital step in returning to the original diet appointed by God, which ensures better physical health and higher spiritual attainmentCCh 231.1+1.

Why Animal Foods Should Be Discarded

The decision to eliminate meat from the diet is based on the profound impact food has on the entire human being, as we are literally built up from what we eat14MR 295.3+1.

• Impact on the Disposition: Meat eating "animalizes" the nature, causing the lower, sensual passions to assume control over the higher intellectual and spiritual powers5MR 408.1+2. It changes the disposition, making individuals—especially children—irritable, peevish, and passionate14MR 299.1+1.

• Physical Health Risks: Animals are increasingly diseased, and by eating their flesh, we plant seeds of corruption and disease, such as cancers, tumors, and tuberculosis, into our own blood and tissuesMM 280.4+2.

• Mental and Spiritual Effects: A meat diet beclouds the reason and diminishes intellectual activityCCh 230.5+1. It enfeebles the soul’s ability to realize the force of truth and hampers the companionship of heavenly angelsSpM 31.5+1.

• Moral and Ethical Concerns: Meat eating involves cruelty to God’s creatures and destroys the tenderness and mercy we should feel toward the animal kingdomMH 315.2+1.

The Original and Ideal Diet

God is leading His people back to the diet He designed in the beginningCH 450.1+1.

• The Edenic Blueprint: Before the fall, man was intended to subsist wholly on the natural products of the earthLASW 127.3+1. This diet consisted of fruits, grains, and nuts5MR 408.1+1.

• Adequacy of Nutrition: It is a mistake to believe muscular strength depends on animal food; grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables contain all the nutritive properties necessary to make good bloodCG 384.1+1.

• A Statute of Health: Even when animal food was used in ancient times, God gave specific directions to never eat the fat or the blood, as these create a diseased current in the human system Leviticus 3:17+17MR 423.2.

How to Educate and Implement Change

Education is the key to a successful transition to a health reform diet, and it must be conducted with skill and wisdomKC 135.3+1.

• The Role of Institutions: Sanitariums and restaurants are established to demonstrate the advantages of a vegetarian diet over a flesh diet8MR 397.2+1. Physicians in these institutions must educate by precept and example; a meat-eating physician is disqualified from leading such work1MR 286.1+1.

• Skillful Preparation: To prevent a "poverty-stricken" diet, food must be prepared with simplicity and nicety2T 63.1. When meat is discarded, it must be replaced with wholesome, well-cooked fruits, grains, and vegetables to ensure the system is properly nourishedGCDB March 1, 1897, page 188.3+1.

• Cooking Schools: Wise instructors should hold cooking schools to teach people how to combine plant-based ingredients into palatable and life-sustaining mealsKC 133.6+1.

• Parental Example: Parents have a solemn obligation to educate their children’s tastes14MR 299.1+1. By placing only wholesome food on the table, they protect their children from stimulated passions and help them develop virtuous charactersTSDF 39.11+1.

The Goal of Reform

The ultimate aim of health reform is to prepare a people to stand before GodRY 129.2. Eventually, among those waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will be entirely done away withCH 450.1. This is not merely a matter of health but of spiritual-mindedness, as "fleshly lusts... war against the soul" 1 Peter 2:11ARSH July 24, 1900, page 467.7. By denying perverted appetite, you place yourself where God can cooperate with you to refine and holy your character5MR 408.1+1. 🌿

While the world may regard those who reach God's standard as odd or singular extremists, such labels do no harm to the soul that is firmly grounded in the truthGCDB February 25, 1897, page 150.1. It is a common experience for those standing for reform to be mocked as fanatics, yet it is essential to remain firm like a rock in principle while manifesting Christ-like patience14MR 133.2+2.

It is very true that “when we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular extremists.” But that will do us no harm— GCDB February 25, 1897, page 150.1

... gain eternal life, do not in their presence criticise his actions, even though you may think he is too severe, too straight-laced. You can not afford to sympathize with them when they are disciplined. If you long for them to give...— Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 6 (1899)

...ized as His servants. But there are those who despised the men and the message they bore. They have taunted them with being fanatics, extremists, and enthusiasts. Let me prophesy unto you: Unless you speedily humble your hearts before God, and confess your sins...— 14MR 133.2 (1990)

... us among Mohammedans, Mormons, and other fanatics, and do his best to make it appear that we are a narrow, bigoted set of dupes, led blindly by a fanatical woman, we know not where. As poor a set as we are, we trust there are many men among us who have enough s...— RCASDA 20.1 (1895)

...n what they termed the superstitious fears and forebodings of the preacher of righteousness. He was denounced as a visionary character, a fanatic, an alarmist. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Me...— 4T 308.2 (1885)

It is truly encouraging to remember that even the most faithful servants of God have faced similar opposition, but their consistent and noble course eventually removes the reproach brought by those who are truly inconsistent1T 419.1. May you find great peace and joy as you walk in the clear light of truth, which shines like gold amid the rubbish of human theories2SM 27.2. 🌟