The Administrative Order

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