"How does someone introduce the Baha'i Faith without having a debate?"

Recently, the Baha’is were contacted by someone through www.bahai.us and asked this question:

“How [does someone] introduce the Baha'i Faith to other people w/o having a debate?” 

This is of course a wonderful question, and the response that was provided by a Baha'i is as follows . . . . 

There is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about becoming a better teacher of the Baha’i Faith by attending a study circle, or informal, small study group using the book “Teaching the Cause,” the sixth book in a series of books published by the Ruhi Institute that all Baha’is are encouraged to participate in, which also includes putting what one learns into practice. 

Some quotations shared in this book from Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, that you may find helpful include the following: 

"Among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is His declaration that religion must be the cause of love and fellowship, must be the source of unity in the hearts of men. If religion becomes a cause of enmity and hatred, it is evident that the abolition of religion is preferable to its promulgation . . .”  

“If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your object is attained. If any one should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning . . .”   

“The teaching work “should be tempered with wisdom--not that wisdom which requireth one to be silent and forgetful of such an obligation, but rather that which requireth one to display divine tolerance, love, kindness, patience, a goodly character, and holy deeds . . . ”   

"Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it."   

“In accordance with the divine teachings in this glorious dispensation we should not belittle anyone and call him ignorant, saying: "You know not, but I know". Rather, we should look upon others with respect, and when attempting to explain and demonstrate, we should speak as if we are investigating the truth, saying: "Here these things are before us. Let us investigate to determine where and in what form the truth can be found." The teacher should not consider himself as learned and others ignorant. Such a thought breedeth pride, and pride is not conducive to influence. The teacher should not see in himself any superiority; he should speak with the utmost kindliness, lowliness and humility, for such speech exerteth influence and educateth the souls.”   

“They must be neither provocative nor supine, neither fanatical nor excessively liberal, in their exposition of the fundamental and distinguishing features of their Faith. Thy must be either wary or bold, they must act swiftly or mark time, they must use the direct or indirect method, they must be challenging or conciliatory, in strict accordance with the spiritual receptivity of the soul with whom they come in contact, whether he be a nobleman or a commoner, a northerner or a southerner, a layman or a priest, a capitalist or a socialist, a statesman or a prince, an artisan or a beggar. In their presentation of the Message of the Baha'u'llah they must neither hesitate nor falter. They must be neither contemptuous of the poor nor timid before the great. In their exposition of its verities they must neither over stress nor whittle down the truth which they champion, whether their hearer belong to royalty, or be a prince of the Church, or a politician, or a tradesman, or a man of the street. To all alike, high or low, rich or poor, they must proffer, with open hands, with a radiant heart, with an eloquent tongue, with infinite patience, with uncompromising loyalty, with great wisdom, with unshakeable courage, the Cup of Salvation, at so critical an hour, to the confused, the hungry, the distraught and fear-stricken multitudes . . ."  

Finally, we are assured that . . .

“Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light.”

 

 

 

“This is the third declaration that has occurred in our community since we moved here”

Barbara, a local Bahai, has been opening her home to those interested in learning more about the Faith.  She shares exciting news of a new declaration.

“ . . . today Tammy, [whom] I met at my work, has been attending our Sunday morning gatherings at our home for the last year.  These gatherings are followed by Ruhi classes that run until the [afternoon].  We are in Section 1 of book 2 now . . . Tammy will be attending the Unit Convention on Sunday  . . . “

 

I Had Baha’i Beliefs Before I Knew the Faith Existed

Sometimes we receive several blessings at once. A response coordinator shared this story about a youth who contacted her through an online conversation and then enrolled in the Baha’i community the same day. She then heard some wonderful news about the Baha’i community where the young woman who just declared resides.

The coordinator began the conversation by text...

Hello! I am a member of the Baha’i Faith responding to your inquiry. Do you have questions? I look forward to hearing from you.

The young woman then responded:

Yes, is it a requirement to go to a prayer circle or can I worship independently because there are no Baha`i centers near me?

The coordinator explained that worship is between an individual and God, and includes more than prayer. The youth texted back:

Can you clarify? I agree with all the central beliefs, I actually had all Baha’i beliefs even before I knew the Faith existed, but I don't understand what obligatory prayer is or if there are any special ways to worship.

The coordinator then explained obligatory prayer and community devotions:

Sure, there are obligatory prayers that a Baha’i must say once every 24 hours. There are three obligatory prayers and you can choose one of the three. We do not have congregational prayer, but we do have devotionals where people gather and pray together, people from all religions.

She then explained the wider concept of worship in the Baha’i teachings:

There are no clergy in the Baha’i Faith. Worship is not just prayer but every act you do that is conducive to the well-being of mankind and for the love of God is considered worship. Your profession, your art is a divine gift, and a form of service.

The coordinator included a link to an app for Baha’i prayers. The young woman then responded:

Thank you. I think I want to join the Faith. What should I do next?

The coordinator encouraged the youth to call her directly so that they could have a conversation about the fundamental verities of the Faith. She did and they talked for about an hour, and then joined the Baha’i community!

Not only are the youth’s parents supportive of her decision, but “out of the blue,” the coordinator received a call from a Baha’i in the very same community where the youth just declared.

The news? The Baha’is called to inform the coordinator that their community was able to form a Spiritual Assembly, the local Baha’i governing council, after several years. Though she is too young to be elected to the Assembly, she will receive the nurturing and support of a brand new one within her community!

The response coordinator wrote:

It just happened to be in the community this young lady who has just enrolled lives in! This is so typical of the Concourse on High assisting. I don't usually panic because Baha'u'llah is always there. (Sometimes I think I am just numb.)

In the book Paris Talks, ‘Abdu’l-Baha states:

In the Bahá'í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are counted as worship. The man who makes a piece of notepaper to the best of his ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. (Paris Talks, p. 176)

A new believer shares: “I think of Baha'i as a way of life”

A woman, who is a polyglot and a professional linguist, visited the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa Israel. She shared this message when reaching out to the American Baha'is at www.bahai.us:

“I visited the Baha'i Centre in Haifa last year. Since then, I wanted to get involved with Baha'i religion. I was contacted last year by a member, but could not answer as I had to travel abroad for family reasons. Now I would like to meet with someone to get more information.”

A Baha'i who lives near the woman reached out to her by visiting her home, leaving a prayer book, and how to contact her for more information. The Baha'i later shared that:

“I had a wonderful conversation on the phone with her this evening. I learned that since her visit to the Baha'i Centre in Haifa last year she has considered herself a Baha'i.”

With her husband, the Baha'i made another visit to the woman’s home. Together they discussed the fundamental verities of the Baha'i Faith, engaging in a conversation like Anna that they learned themselves while studying from the sixth book in the Ruhi sequence of courses. The woman posed a question about Baha'i identity:

My husband and I had a wonderful visit. Her only question was 'What does one do as a Baha'i?'

To investigate this question, the woman along with the Baha’i and her husband joined together to study the course “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” which discusses the principles of service to the community, meditation on the Word of God, spiritual growth, and the importance of daily prayer.

Already this new believer has begun to serve her community by hosting a study group within her home. She has begun to identify herself as a Baha'i, and is demonstrating knowledge of the Baha'i teachings. The Baha’i shared that she is now an enrolled member of the community.

At the end of the evening she expressed one reservation. She said 'I have trouble thinking of this as a religion. I think of Baha'i as a way of life.' We talked some more about that in terms of ‘What is the definition of religion?’

Bahais believe...

“To be a Baha'i simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood.” - Abdul-Baha

My life has changed since I found the Baha’i Faith…

Teaching the Baha’i Faith has much to do with listening to people, understanding their thoughts and needs, and knowing when and how to share.

Here is the story of a man who learned about the Baha’i Faith from a guest at the Caribbean island resort where he works. After years of struggle with substance abuse, he began a spiritual search that led eventually to several Baha’is. The story involves caring and generosity, and also ways to clearly and effectively present the Baha’i Teachings.

The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi, referred to direct teaching as “an open and bold assertion of the fundamental verities of the Cause,” with the goal of helping “in the eventual recognition by all mankind of the indispensability, the uniqueness and the supreme station of the Baha’i Revelation.”

To this guidance, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States adds in its February 20, 2008 letter: “The choice of method lies with the teacher, who must act with wisdom in all circumstances, according to his or her perception of the seeker’s receptivity.”

The seeker describes his past substance abuse and spiritual yearning, before learning about the Baha’i Faith:

For many years I had been searching for something to make me feel whole. I had always believed in God, but only called upon Him when I was deeply afraid or in bad trouble. (One day) I asked God for help. I told Him that I couldn't go on the way I was. That night I found myself in a hospital in the detox ward. (During therapy sessions) we often spoke of a Higher Power. I chose to call mine God. I attempted on a daily basis to get closer to God using prayer and meditation, but after six years I still felt something was missing. I needed something more.

In the course of his work on the island, he met a guest who is a Baha’i. Their friendship developed over time until she shared the Faith with him. Sensing his receptivity, the lady invited the seeker to her Latin American country for a visit. The seeker writes:

I'd never heard of it before. But every detail she revealed to me piqued my curiosity even further. I began to realize that this was what I'd been looking for all of this time. There was no aspect of the Baha’i Faith that I couldn't agree with. Some of their ideas I already believed in, others simply made perfect sense to me. She invited me to visit with her and some friends at her home. They are very spiritual people who made me feel so welcome. We had prayers every evening and I could feel my faith growing. My friend gave me some literature to study, one prayer book, and a meditation book.

After returning to his island, he was eager to meet more Baha’is. He searched an old phone book, and found a listing for the Baha’is on an island over 50 miles away. A Baha’i woman living there answered his telephone call.

I called and she was quite happy to hear from me. She was very interested in how I got her number. Apparently it wasn't in the newer phone books. She said it was more than a coincidence that I was able to get a hold of her. We talked for a bit, then she said a prayer over the phone. She also told me that there were two Bahai's on the island where I live. Since there are only about 150 people living here, I already knew them. We have started Ruhi together and I've been to their house for a Holy Day celebration.

The two Baha’is on the seeker’s home island also shared “Anna’s presentation” from Ruhi Book 6. In its February 20, 2008 letter, the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly writes:

Teachers in clusters around the world are finding “Anna’s presentation” from Book 6 of the Ruhi curriculum to be a helpful model for direct teaching. As teachers gain in experience, they learn to adapt the presentation according to individual circumstances. Yet the general content—comprehensive, clear, and forthright presentation, with a loving invitation to receptive souls to embrace the Faith—remains essentially the same.

This seeker gives a sincere account of the changes in his life after meeting Baha’is and investigating the Faith:

My life has changed so much for the better since I've found the Baha'i Faith. I no longer smoke cigarettes, or have anxiety problems that require medication. I have learned how damaging backbiting is and how important it is to avoid it at all costs. I understand the importance of daily prayer. I am no longer afraid of the future; I have some new-found life goals. My interest in helping my fellow man and especially those less fortunate than me has become a priority. I still have so much to learn, but I believe that is what life is about: always striving to learn more and become a better person.

Assisting Seekers of Truth – An “Amazing Experience,” Part 2

Last week the Teaching Blog shared the uplifting story of a woman who volunteered to contact seekers and accompany them on their spiritual journey. She shares:

I am an outgoing person and I cannot imagine a more exciting and rewarding service than assisting those who are seeking the Truth.

The Baha'i attempted to contact her next seeker three times—persistence—and finally left a message. She writes:

We spoke for 27 minutes and she thanked me over and over for leaving a message. It was as if she didn't know what to do next when she got the message. This seeker hesitated when I invited her to my home to learn about the Faith. So I invited her to a community center. When she understood where I live she said that she passed my neighborhood twice a week on the way to the local acupuncture school and that she lived very close to me. She was warming up!

The Baha'i then shared that her husband gives classes at the acupuncture school, and has a career with a government agency. Lo and behold, the seeker excitedly shared that her father works at that agency as well!

Suddenly, within a minute, I was no longer a stranger, the hesitation was gone and we talked about when she could come to my home. Again, it seemed that assistance from on high had unlocked the heart of the seeker.

She adds that:

One wonderful thing about the Seeker Response System is that it is local, we are neighbors with the seekers. So far it has not been difficult to find commonality and to overcome an initial lack of familiarity.

With the services that this Baha'i is giving to her community, can we not see what the Universal House of Justice speaks of in this passage? Regarding accompaniment, they write:

And in such a state souls labour together ceaselessly, delighting not so much in their own accomplishments but in the progress and services of others. So it is that their thoughts are centred at all times on helping one another scale the heights of service to His Cause and soar in the heaven of His knowledge.

The House of Justice emphasizes this growing practice by writing: “This is what we see in the present pattern of activity unfolding across the globe, propagated by young and old, by veteran and newly enrolled, working side by side.”

Thinking of the spiritual potential all around us, this Baha'i lady writes:

I am reminded that here in North America we are blessed by the footsteps of the Master and the knowledge that nowhere is the possibility for entry by troops greater than here. Please God we may achieve it!

And may we do so in that very spirit of love and sharing.

Assisting Seekers of Truth – An “Amazing Experience,” Part 1

Last year, a self-described “outgoing” woman volunteered to follow-up in her Baha'i community with a seeker that was referred to her in her community. She describes the invitation to respond to a seeker who asked to learn more about the Faith as “...an amazing experience.”

In its 2010 Ridvan message, having enumerated the main developments in the global Baha'i community, the Universal House of Justice describes “yet another advance at the level of culture,” a change with “far-reaching” implications: the importance of accompanying souls on their journey. The Supreme Institution writes about the merits of “accompaniment”:

It signals the significant strengthening of a culture in which learning is the mode of operation, a mode that fosters the informed participation of more and more people in a united effort to apply Bahá’u’lláh's teachings to the construction of a divine civilization, which the Guardian states is the primary mission of the Faith

The Baha'i reached out to the seeker, also a woman, and invited her to her home. Along with her husband, together they began a conversation like Anna (in Ruhi Book 6), sharing fundamental verities of the Baha'i Faith. After one session of looking together at the content in the “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” (Ruhi Book 1), this Baha'i writes: “she declared.”

They met again, and this time the newly-declared Baha'i confided with her and her husband that she had a tragic, personal loss several years prior, and how the Bahai Writings provided her with comfort during a difficult time.

Later, after she had declared, she shared with us that after seven years of feeling no comfort, she felt so assisted by the Baha'i Writings and felt she was reading the Word of God. She said that in that moment she had made her decision to become a Baha'i,  it seemed as if the Concourse on High was guiding us to put what she needed into her hands.

The Baha'i writes that, “we presented her with two Writings from Abdu'l-Baha” regarding consolation.

Through accompaniment together, the journey continued for this new believer, as she later attended her first unity Feast with the Bahia community, and her own husband joined her. The Baha'i teacher shared the joy she observed about these new friends...

They were both radiant at the end and she commented that she would have a sore face tomorrow from all the smiling. They were overwhelmed with the love and the diversity of the friends.

The Universal House of Justice assures the Bahais of the transformative effect that the quality of relationships have among friends, and our communities:

In relationships among the friends, then, this development in culture finds expression in the quality of their interactions. Learning as a mode of operation requires that all assume a posture of humility, a condition in which one becomes forgetful of self, placing complete trust in God...

Through this Bahai, we can begin to see the quality of this interaction on her service to another...

I am an outgoing person and I cannot imagine a more exciting and rewarding service than assisting those who are seeking the Truth.

To be continued: Part 2 of Assisting Seekers of Truth

Enduring Results: “Everything made sense”

In its 28 December 2010 letter, the Universal House of Justice exhorts the Baha’is worldwide to:

…hold fast to the conviction that a direct presentation of the Faith, when carried out at a sufficient level of depth and reinforced by a sound approach to consolidation, can bring enduring results.

A married couple living the western United States recently entered the Baha’i community along with their children. Both hail from different countries in Europe, and both benefited from a direct presentation of the Faith, along with official follow-up, which had wonderful and enduring results.

As you’ll see, the wife became attracted through online research, and the husband's interactions with his wife and the Baha’i responding to their inquiry helped him embrace the Faith.

Despite living in the U.S. since the 90s, the wife regularly watches television from her native country in Europe. Last year she saw on report on woman and an Iranian Baha’i who married. She was particularly impressed by what the groom said about the Baha’i principle of gender equality.

So impressed, in fact, that she started researching the Baha’i Faith online. The Baha’is who followed up on her inquiries reported her as saying that “what she found out was exactly what she's always believed.”

The response coordinator shared that she:

…spent the entire day researching the Faith and knew all about the covenant, administrative order, and Baha'i laws, (e.g. prayer. and abstaining from alcohol). She really found out a lot and everything made sense to her. She mentioned the Twin Manifestations and that the Faith started in 1844. She was looking into the history of the Faith as well as the Teachings.

By the end of the same month, the wife declared her faith online and registered her children as well. In addition to her husband's interest and later enrollment, the wife's mother also registered online her interest in learning more about the Baha’i Faith.

In the same letter of December 28^th, the House of Justice asks the Baha’is to “strain every nerve” to ensure that the system we are working so hard to build “does not close in on itself but progressively expands to embrace more and more people.” In light of this married couple's sincere and open attraction to the Baha’i Teachings, the next sentence that the House of Justice pens is quite poignant:

Let them not lose sight of the remarkable receptivity they found—nay, the sense of eager expectation that awaited them—as they gained confidence in their ability to interact with people of all walks of life and converse with them about the Person of Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation.

The response coordinator did have the opportunity to speak with the husband about “the Person of Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation,” in the form of Anna’s Presentation, from Ruhi Book 6. The coordinator noted that he agreed with everything, affirmed the Baha’i laws that they discussed, and spoke about obligatory prayer.

The husband shared that as he grew up he became more uncomfortable with his upbringing in church, and had always believed in the unity of religion and of humankind. After his wife's enrollment, he began to read several Baha’i books and speak with her about joining the Faith. After contact with the regional coordinator, they decided to confirm his enrollment!

The oneness of humankind was also key in the wife's acceptance of the Faith, as the coordinator learned. Her prior marriage was with an African American man, with whom she had several children. The elimination of prejudice, the coordinator related, is something that she has always believed in.

After his enrollment in the community, the husband shared:

My wife and kids just became members and I have decided to join the Baha'i Faith as well. Thank you very much for all the work!

And, indeed, our work entails creating a community large enough to answer the needs of society and accepting more new members like this family. The Universal House of Justice writes:

…let them not forget the lessons of the past which left no doubt that a relatively small band of active supporters of the Cause, no matter how resourceful, no matter how consecrated, cannot attend to the needs of communities comprising hundreds, much less thousands, of men, women and children.

Keetra's Prayer Party: the "potential is huge"

When Brad and Katy’s five-year-old daughter Keetra announced one day that she wanted to start a “prayer party,” they weren’t quite sure how to handle it. As you’ll see in the video linked below, they had never hosted a devotional gathering before.

Keetra’s father Brad even told her that she would have to make her own phone calls, with the hope (at that time) that he and Katy wouldn’t be embarrassed!

Two years later, Keetra still makes the calls, and her family continues to host the first Baha’i-inspired devotional gathering in their Arizona community.

In its 28 December 2010 letter, the Universal House of Justice writes that the Baha’i world’s “capacity to shape a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character has risen perceptibly,” adding that:

In diverse settings, on every continent, groups of believers are uniting with others in prayer, turning their hearts in supplication to their Maker, and calling to their aid those spiritual forces upon which the efficacy of their individual and collective efforts depends.

As you’ll see in the video, one of the participants, Wendy, says that:

Everyone, I think, has a desire to be spiritual. And when I was a child, I felt as if I was questing for something. And maybe I still am, but I thinks it’s really good for the kids to have some outlet for that.

About the benefits of holding devotionals, Wendy adds:

I think the potential is huge. I think that pulling together in a spiritual manner really strengthens those bonds that we form with each other.

Here is the delightful video named “Keetra’s Prayer Party”:

Summing up what Keetra and her family have done, Wendy remarks:

Look at all of us who came together today because of Keetra. That’s an amazing thing for a kid to be able to do, for anyone to be able to do.

I will always remember my first conversation with a Baha'i

 

Here is an excerpt from an email from an individual who recently declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh online  The regional seeker response coordinator had first called them to affirm their declaration, and then later followed up with an email that provided more information about the Faith.  What this email from a new believer makes crystal clear is the immense importance of the “conversation between two souls” emphasized by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridvan 2010 message.  Such conversations can have far-reaching and lasting influence!

Good Morning,

I want to thank you for the wonderful conversation yesterday!  I was exhilarated for quite some time afternoon, and I find it quite interesting that my friend also telephoned you!  I had not known that.  After our lovely talk I came into my home beaming and enthusiastic and I imagine I perhaps piqued the interest of the others around me.

I cannot wait to begin exploration of all the materials within your email.  Thank you again for your most loving welcome into this Faith.  I am grateful to you for your time and joy and shall ever remember my first conversation with a Bahá’í member as being as a fountain overflowing with that for which I was longing, parched, for quite some time.

Peace, friend.

A conversation between 2 souls

 

The Ridvan 2010 message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world described the direct teaching process as a “conversation between two souls” that ideally continues over time so that “veritable friendships” are formed.  This is a beautiful example of how such a conversation was set up—in this case, a very long distance separated the two individuals.  The regional seeker response coordinator thus contacted another believer (can’t say “local believer” in this case) to respond to the soul who had reached out to the Bahá’ís.  This is also a good example of matching up a teacher and seeker on the basis of shared language and demographics.

In this email, the regional coordinator prepares the teacher for the conversation:

Dear E,

It was a joy talking to you on the phone this morning about __.  Her husband is a Bahá’í, and had contacted the Web site indicating that she wants to enroll in the Faith.  When J called her a couple of days ago, she spoke briefly with her, but then gave the phone to her husband.  He shared with J that they live in a very isolated area, with no Bahá’ís nearby to personally engage with. . . .

You are providing a wonderful service by phoning their home this evening and having a warm conversation with __ in your own language (since English is not her first language) to determine if she definitely wants to declare.  If this is the case, your happy opportunity will then be to help affirm her belief with those themes we find in Anna's Conversation.  I know you are a dedicated and very experienced teacher, and am honored that you will be helping us in this process.

I feel sure that your wisdom and experience in the teaching field will serve you well as you interact with __ and her husband this evening.  We are not pressing for any particular outcome.  Rather, the intent is to lovingly provide __ with the kind of Bahá’í information she is interested in.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.  You are all in my prayers.

Warmly,

L

This email describes the joyful results from that conversation:

Dear E,

Thank you for your wonderful service in forming a bond of friendship with __ and going through the affirming process with her!

Here is a summary of what I noted from your report tonight:  (Please let me know if I missed something.)

You had a nice phone conversation with __, and you learned that she understands the main teachings of the Faith and accepts them.  She has been learning details about Bahá’í life from her husband too, and she had questions for you about prayer, fasting, elections, and meetings Bahá’ís attend.

I understand that you will be keeping in touch with her from time to time.  You and I discussed that you might consider continuing to have conversations of spiritual importance by email, both in English and her native language.

It was a pleasure hearing your story tonight.

Warmest wishes to you,

L

Teaching teams use variety of approaches

 

The third story from the recent expansion phase of New York City (A) is all about teaching teams and shows there are a variety of approaches that teams can take to teach the Faith.  Home visits, direct teaching, core activities, and of course lots of prayers—everything leads to making closer connections with our neighbors and community of interest.

We formed 3 teams of 2 and 3 people and visited the parents in the building whose children are participating in the weekly children’s class held there.  The response of the parents we visited was enthusiastic, and the children can’t wait to remind their parents of the next class. . . .

After the home visits, we gathered together to reflect, and then decided to pay a visit to one of our contacts, who lives in the building and has an office just around the block.  We went to his office and he was pleasantly surprised from this group visit and was most enthusiastic.  He quickly invited us in.  A family member was visiting him, who was also very enthusiastic and asked to be given an introduction to the Bahá’í Faith.  So one of the teaching team members shared a direct presentation.  It was a good meeting and we can’t wait to be back.

That evening, there was a devotional gathering at the home of one of the teaching team members.  One of the seekers present read the prayers avidly and said, “These prayers are so beautiful—I just want to keep reading them!”

The next day, we focused our outreach on our Spanish-speaking contacts.

Another teaching team took the following approach both days of the weekend:  They gathered together to say lots of prayers and then set up a table on the street to directly teach interested passerby.  This was followed by a devotional gathering in the evening for interested seekers to attend.

Oklahoma City focuses on firesides

 

Oklahoma City (A) is trying a new approach for their latest cycle of the intensive program of growth:  A focus on firesides.  These gatherings are based on the skills learned in the institute process.

This is our 6^th cycle of growth!  The area teaching committee has designed a special focus for this coming expansion phase:  we are going to focus on firesides.

Each fireside will be oriented around sharing a conversation like Anna in Ruhi Book 6, complemented by the familiar warm personal interaction of the fireside.

The key is that it is a place to invite contacts (and new Bahá’ís) to learn about the Faith, rather than simply being a social gathering of Bahá’ís.

So have a fireside at your own home and invite your neighbors, friends and co-workers.  If you need help with the presentation, contact anyone on the area teaching committee.

A remarkable ability to naturally bring up the Faith

Here is the latest update from Rio Grande Valley, TX (A).  There is a junior youth group that has been started and is doing well and having the support of the local friends.  The final description of the friends’ capacities is particularly inspiring.

I twice visited the junior youth group that the travel teachers have helped 2 of the local friends have started up.  The group seems like it is doing very well.  Most of the junior youth are composed of the non-Baha'i relatives of the 2 animators (who live in the same neighborhood).  The participants are very attentive and enthusiastic, and they are already discussing what service they would like to do. . . .

Another youth from the wider community has expressed interest in starting up a junior youth group.  We studied the first two units of Ruhi Book 1 and some excerpts from Ruhi Book 5, we had our first meeting with 4 junior youth, which went very well.  Again, the junior youth seemed very enthusiastic, and by the second meeting two days later, they had already started planning different service activities for the future.  Also, on the second meeting, a Bahá’í junior youth joined the group, and two others expressed a desire to join as well.  I heard from a friend in the cluster that this group carried out its first act of service yesterday.  I believe both groups will do quite well.

One family held a devotional while I was there, and because of all the activity taking place at that time, they were able to invite a number of their neighbors and friends, and the devotional was consequently well attended.  A few of us also made a home visit to the mother of one of the junior youth to introduce ourselves and describe a little bit about the Faith.

The members of this cluster seem to have a remarkable ability to very naturally bring up the subject of the Bahá’í Faith with their friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.  Most all the people in the community I met shared this trait.  The community certainly was also trying to open up opportunities for service to more people.

When the teacher is happy, the children respond

Tacoma-Pierce County, WA (A) has more than a few IPG cycles under its belt, but the learning never stops.  Here are “just a few” insights gained about assessing a seeker’s receptivity, teaching teams, and children’s classes.  Want to know how sharing crayons contributes to building a new civilization or the importance of being happy?  Then read on!

Gauging Receptivity

We are learning to optimize our teaching by discerning the level of the seeker's interest or receptivity.  How to gauge receptivity?  The wisdom comes from practice, practice, practice, and the action of experience is the teacher. . . .

If uncertain of a person’s level of interest, use qualifying questions:  "Are you sure you would like me to come back?" Voice tone must convey sincerity in the commitment to return.

If there is immediate attraction, stay with that household.  Involve them in core activity as soon as possible and offer to return in the next few days.  Get phone numbers; emails, etc.  Ask questions such as “What is a good day for me to return?  Time?”  Assure the seeker that you will return!

Teaching Teams

It was noted that the understanding of teaching teams has increased during this cycle; skill levels for sharing Anna’s conversation and inviting seekers to core activities is now understood in the context of raising up spiritual communities.  This was the first cycle using this approach.  Several comments from individuals involved in the collective teaching effort expressed that this approach of talking about spiritual communities made things easier and a spiritual dialogue occurred naturally.

Two teaching teams, one each for two receptive neighborhoods.  The area teaching committee secretary has been encouraged to be in the field to facilitate these teams.  They also convene regular meetings with each team to plan next steps.  Such communication is strengthening the unity of these teaching teams.

Children's Classes

Connecting with parents is vital to sustaining children's attendance and success.  It is important to 1) share with them after each class their child’s progress and 2) extend the invitation to observe the class AND receive training to teach it.

Building spiritual community can begin with a children's class.  It takes perseverance to establish a core group of children.  Some children come but their parents have pulled them out.  Others have begged their parents to attend, and after the class the parents commented, "We want whatever will make our child a good person."  It takes times to establish but we are witnessing how children's classes can become centers of attraction.

The purpose of the children's classes is to create spiritual susceptibilities in the children.  The more closely our teaching efforts are aligned with the training in Book 3, the more effective the classes are.  Lining children up to prepare them for class really is an effective tool!  The children are better prepared for devotions.

A new neighborhood children's class has been started.  It has been observed that when the teacher is happy, the children respond with a bright willingness to learn.  Taking turns asking for crayons builds character in patience and manners:  accepting what they have is a foundation for justice, asking for what they need builds confidence.

Be ready for many different things

 

When visiting people in their homes, either new believers or people to whom you are teaching the Faith, there are a lot of “nuts and bolts” that need to be in place to maximize their effectiveness.  Here is a very practical set of intriguing insights from Central Jersey (A).  One particularly important point is the value of carrying out such an effort in a neighborhood or building where there is already the presence of one of the friends.  Note also how we have to be ready to meet the wide range of possible needs and interests of the seeker.

It is very helpful to be able to do something like this in an apartment complex where a Bahá’í is currently residing, who is able to host events.  You can be talking as a friend of a neighbor, not as a stranger. . . .

It is good to have several "tools" in your toolbox.  Some people may just want to listen, and Anna's conversation is good for that.  Others may want to talk about specific teachings—be ready for that.  Others may want to read something or to look up more information on a website—be ready for both.  Some might benefit from a simple quote from the Writings (on children, or health, or death or work, or one of many other topics) for them to reflect on.  Others want an invitation to a planned event.  Some would like a return visit at a specific time that is convenient for them—be ready to return, or to send someone else, at any time.

Be sure to get their name, and if possible a telephone number, and if possible, set up a time for a return visit.  Call before returning to make sure they remembered it.

Keep detailed records of every visit and every attempted visit in order to do productive follow-up and to avoid re-contacting those who have expressed non-interest.  Include date and approximate time of visits.

Focused learning moves Knoxville forward

Some types of progress take center stage, and other types of progress occur behind the scenes. But all progress involves the growing capacity of the believers to reach out to their neighbors and share the Message. This report from Knoxville, TN (A) is especially interesting because the friends have been involved in some very focused learning about a specific part of the teaching process: inviting seekers to declare. To spread the learning (and increase their capacity), they organized a gathering to build their skills in a practical way.

I wanted to give you a report about a gathering that was based on an idea you and I had discussed some time back. We had shared experiences about things we had recently learned about directly inviting seekers to declare. You had suggested that maybe the area teaching committee should host a special meeting in the community to share these ideas. Well, we ended up doing just that, and it was very fun and inspiring for all who were able to attend. . . .

We called it the "Learning and sharing about teaching meeting" (long title, I know) and it was held at the Knoxville Bahá’í Center. There were 12 people who attended from all corners of the cluster. We of course didn’t mean for it to be replacement of the Reflection Gathering, and it wasn’t; it’s just that we were at the middle of our IPG cycle and we wanted to share these ideas as soon as possible rather than waiting for the next reflection gathering that wouldn’t be until the end of the cycle.

At this meeting, we reviewed new and creative ways of inviting people to declare, shared teaching success stories over the past year and got motivation from the excitement of others who had been teaching their own community of interest and in their own neighborhoods with family and friends. . . .

So, some new and interesting things we learned from each other were:

To challenge our friends and seekers to learn more about the Bahá’í Faith from the international Web site www.bahai.org, and say, “Next time we meet, let’s discuss the most interesting thing you found out about the Faith from the website." That resulted in a declaration.

To say to a seeker or during a home visit, "It seems like you love Bahá’u’lláh and the principles of the Bahá’í Faith. Is there any reason you would not want to become a Bahá’í?" That resulted in a declaration.

To ask a seeker, "Have you prayed about the Bahá’í Faith? What does your heart tell you?" This also resulted in a declaration.

We read the super cool recent letter from our Regional Bahá’í Council about how college campuses can be considered receptive populations, and therefore decided to definitely increase the number of firesides on college campuses this semester. Many of the adults who were present volunteered and made a commitment to come and help the youth on college campuses this year.

Another idea stemming from that letter was to spend time this semester approaching college professors in specific departments in the colleges near where we live to ask if we can do a presentation about the Bahá’í Faith, such as in the Sociology, Religious Studies, African-American Studies, Psychology, Women's Studies, and American culture departments, because they might be more inclined to want their students to learn about the Bahá’í Faith.

This meeting had a devotional portion, and we also consulted on the themes we found in the Bahá’í Holy Writings used during that devotional. The biggest themes were:

We should approach teaching with great joy, become detached from the outcome, and realize we are just an instrument of Bahá’u’lláh.

We should not get dismayed if there are not as many of us doing the teaching work as we would like to see right now, because the truth is that the angels of the Concourse on High are with us when we open our lips to teach, and that is all the help we need.

The importance of having our personal lives and character in line with the Bahá’í teachings when we are teachers of the Faith ourselves.

Next time when we have this meeting, which will be coming up soon, we are going to do the same meeting, but make it longer so that we can incorporate more teaching, role-play, and practice of Anna's conversation, as well as learn from other ways of direct teaching that may have worked for people between now and then.

All in all, it was a really great idea, and the area teaching committee got several emails from people who thanked us for hosting that gathering. Thanks so much for the idea.

And since that time, the momentum hasn’t slowed down a bit. Here’s some recent news about one particular locality in the Knoxville cluster, and how the friends are arising with confidence to try out new approaches.

Dear friends,

Here is a picture of some of the Knox County Bahá’ís who got together for the first community devotional of 2010. We gathered together to pray for Haiti, the Yaran in Iran, and some of our family members who passed away in 2009. The devotional program was very moving and emotional, and yet also very uplifting and spiritually strengthening!

At the last Nineteen Day Feast, the Knox County community made a commitment to have weekly devotional gatherings and deepenings this year, in order to raise the level of core activities in the cluster, as well as to help strengthen our own Bahá’í community and ourselves, and to ultimately make the Five Year Plan a reality! People have already signed up for hosting these activities in their own homes and in their various neighborhoods, as opposed to just hosting them in the Bahá’í Center. This helps decentralize the activities of the Five Year Plan, so that we can more easily invite friends and neighbors.

This is a special accomplishment because the Knox County community has recently become much smaller, with only about 30 people remaining after many moved away this past year. It is also a milestone for community members to open up their own homes to host core activities. In the past, they had assisted with plenty of teaching projects and study circles in the homes of new believers, but there were all in other areas of the cluster and not in the Knox County locality itself. There had also been a pattern in the past of relying on the Knoxville Bahá’í Center and just waiting for events to be held there. That is now changed.

Please keep Knox County in your prayers so that we can all arise in unity to accomplish the goals of the Five Year Plan! Hopefully we can add more core activities to these regularly scheduled devotionals as the year progresses.

Laughter is the best introduction

I already knew that technology had opened the doors to teach the Faith in new ways, but hadn’t anticipated the following gem from Bloomington, IN (C). I’m still laughing.

In Bloomington, Indiana at our information tables at the Farmer's Market the following introductory lines almost always bring a good smile if not a full laugh:

What is the Bahá’í Faith:

"We invite you to investigate the possibility that about every thousand years the Creator sends a new software upgrade." . . .

"The Bahá’í Faith is the newest software upgrade that came to the planet on May 23rd, 1844 to lay the spiritual foundation for a new global civilization and a peaceful planet."

"Interestingly, the next day, May 24th, 1844, Samuel Morse typed out the first Morse Code: 'What hath God wrought?' God has created a spiritual and technological process to unify and harmonize the planet."

Warmest regards,

D

"We called her the same evening"

Communications technology is really bringing the world together. Here is a heartwarming story of a person who registered her belief in Bahá’u’lláh online. The regional specialist promptly contacted her by phone to carry out the affirmation step, so the enrollment process was efficient. The new believer shares her story of her spiritual journey, which provides many insights about the qualities we need to have as teachers, and a reminder of the receptivity that is there—we only have to share the Message as it is, and it will resonate with many souls.

By the way, technology is really taking over. All the various parts of this story came to us by being “sent from my Blackberry”, “sent from my iPhone”, etc.! And me here with just my ol’ desktop . . .

This is a new Bahá’í who declared online. We called her the same evening, and L went through Anna’s presentation with her and she was affirmed. She was crying with happiness. We asked her to tell us her story and here it is.

In the beginning . . . As a child, I didn’t grow up in a church like other kids in my neighborhood. But my Grandma took it on herself to educate me about God and Jesus Christ and prayer whenever I spent time with her. . . .

Then one morning my mother answered her door to a couple of women I had never seen before, spreading the word about their religion. My parents joined, and for the next several years we studied the “Word” faithfully, we attended every Bible study and religious service, and we also spent every Saturday morning we could manage going door-to-door sharing the message. Our lives were clearly and undeniably dedicated to bringing others into the kingdom. Our congregation was an eclectic mixture of race, social status and backgrounds. We were all a part of God’s kingdom, His chosen.

Difficulties arose as I grew older. I believed in God, I feared His coming wrath upon the Earth and upon those who refused to believe in His “Word”. We were told the world was coming to an end soon. And then, things that weren’t supposed to happen happened, and the one thing I was counting on didn’t. Disillusioned and disappointed, I left.

Some years later I went back to my grandparents’ church. My attendance was sporadic. I couldn’t shake the disillusionment I had experienced earlier.

Over the years I have searched for a faith that brought people of every ethnicity and background together. I wanted to be a part of a family of believers who loved freely and unconditionally. I wanted to belong to a faith that included every religion that believes in the One True God.

God’s Holy Temple has more than one gate. I believe that God is a God of immense grace. He loves His creation. He will provide a way to save all who believe and trust in Him, no matter who we are or where we live on this planet.

This is why I am a Bahá’í.

She was so happy when she said "yes"

We have many conversations throughout the day. Some are on spiritual and lofty matters, others are on more mundane topics. When we strive to have meaningful conversations, teaching becomes something that happens naturally through our interactions, rather than as an isolated activity removed from the normal course of our day. Here is a story, shared by a regional seeker response specialist, sharing news of a conversation with someone who reached out to the Bahá’í community. The invitation to join the Bahá’í community was a natural part of the process. (And technology allows for the enrollment to be completed efficiently.)

Allah'u'Abha!

I had the privilege of sharing Anna's Presentation with an online seeker today and at the end of the presentation, I invited her to register as a Bahá’í. She was so happy when she said 'yes'. She has been studying the Faith independently for two years after being introduced to it by a school chum that became a Bahá’í. She reached out because she wanted more information and had already realized in her heart that she was a Bahá’í. What a blessing that she is a youth! I have contacted the Secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly so they can welcome her into the community and ask that the National Teaching Office electronically accept her registration and send it on to eMembership.

Lots of love,

M