Breaking down the confusion about the Administrative Order of the Faith
Hello Everyone!
At the Unit
Convention for the election of delegates to the National Convention on 10 February,
during the consultation time, a dear friend echoed the thoughts of many of the
friends who are trying to figure out how all the administrative institutions
and functions within the Faith work, and indeed how they are meant to work
together. The Whanau , in an effort to help get a better understanding, will
run articles each month about the ever changing workings of the Administrative
Order within the Faith. Below is a very brief sketch as an introduction, but further
explanation will come from those friends who are presently serving in
administrative capacities.
First, let it be
clear that Baha’u’llah, Himself, designated ‘Abdu’l-Baha as the Person to Whom all
devoted followers of the Faith must turn to for instruction and guidance, the
‘Centre of the Covenant’. Baha’u’llah also made reference to the establishment
of the Universal House of Justice in His Most Holy Book, The Kitab-i-Aqdas.
‘Abdu’l-Baha in His Will and Testament designated
his grandson Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Faith after his passing, to
whom all the Baha’is must turn to for direction and explanation of the meaning
of the Holy Writings.
As Shoghi Effendi
had no descendants and members of the Holy Family had not remained faithful to
the directions given, there could be no further Guardians appointed. During the
Guardian’s lifetime the growth and establishment of National and Local
Spiritual Assemblies was all important to be the support pillars for the
establishment of the Universal House of Justice.
In 1963 the first
Universal House of Justice was elected by the world-wide Baha’i Community.
Here I would be
remiss if I did not pay great honour to the Hands of the Cause of God who held the
Faith together and helped the friends achieve the Guardian’s last world-wide
expansion plan ‘The Ten Year Crusade’, prior to and leading up to the election
of the Universal House of Justice. The Hands had been appointed by Baha’u’llah,
‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Guardian at various times during each of their ministries
to help proclaim and protect the Faith.
Auxiliary Board Members for Proclamation and Protection were
appointed to provide assistance to the friends and as support for the work of
the Hands of the Cause. The Universal House of Justice could find nothing in
the Writings of the Faith to indicate that it could make further appointments
of Hands of the Cause of God. To carry on the work of proclamation and protection,
in further support of the Hands and the Universal House of Justice, the House
created the institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.
National and Local
Spiritual Assemblies, created during ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Guardian’s ministries,
have various committees to support the roles and responsibilities which they
are required to carry out. These committees are set up at the discretion of
each Assembly, and can vary from community to community.
I am sure that you
can see that the Administrative structure is not and cannot be static. It is
able to change in order that the growth of the Faith can ever be supported.
To assist the
increase in expansion of the Faith, Regional Baha’i Councils were created in
some countries in the world at the direction of the Universal House of Justice.
Now, in this latest expansion phase, the Universal House of Justice has
required National Assemblies to establish further administrative structure to
support the expected entry by troops.
In New Zealand ,
our National Spiritual Assembly very recently established two Regional Baha’i
Councils, one for the North Island and one for the South
Island . We also have various individuals or agencies with roles to
support the work within clusters.
Because of the
recent number of appointments (of individuals, committees and councils), and of
the confusion expressed by many regarding these functions and roles, the Whanau
team felt it would be helpful to ask each appointed individual or agency to
provide brief answers to these questions and to submit an article:
- What is your role and function within the community?
- Who were you appointed by and who do you report to?
- Who presently serves in this capacity?
- When is your role most important and how is that role carried out?
- How do you integrate your responsibilities with other agencies designated with different roles?
- How often and when can the Baha’i Community expect to hear from your agency about tasks you are carrying out, success stories, or appeals for help?
It is important to remember that the friends serving in these new
capacities are themselves trying to work out their roles, so we must practice
patience and love, and pray for all the administrative institutions. We just
need to realize and be joyous about the changes that are taking place and will
continue to do so, that the changes are a sure sign of growth. How exciting
that everyone of us has a part to play in the building of God’s Kingdom on
earth!
Marlene Harrison
