A relaxed and forthright discussion

There’s a phrase in this report from the Southwest region that truly summarizes what direct teaching involves: “a relaxed and forthright discussion”. We are openly and warmly presenting the Message to interested seekers—in this case, the seeker contacted the Bahá’í community himself through the 1-800-22-UNITE phone line in a way that is clear, direct, respectful and sincere. What is particularly inspiring about this report is that the core activities are naturally presented as an integral part of the Faith and what it is trying to accomplish in the world. Thus, the teaching process is organically linked with these transforming and civilization-building efforts.

Recently, the cluster’s Area Teaching Committee received the name and contact information of __, who lives in Scottsdale and who had called the national 800-22-UNITE Information Request number. Immediately, the Area Teaching Committee passed the information to a local Bahá’í to contact __. Here is his description of what happened next.

Soon after, we met at a coffee shop. __ has been studying different religions and was looking for a faith with which he can identify. After some visiting, __ was asked if he had any specific area of interest and if he would like to receive a comprehensive presentation on the Faith (i.e., Anna's presentation), to which he happily agreed. The presentation was carried through in its entirety, including joint reading of quotes, as well as discussing subject matters included in the presentation, such as the importance of unity, outward orientation, and service to society. In terms of the latter, this meant discussing the components of the current Plan and specifically the 4 Core Activities and what each is designed to accomplish. His responses were very heartwarming and exciting. . . .

At the end of the presentation __ was given a registration card, explaining that if he believed Bahá’u’lláh to be the Messenger of God for this day and age and if he agreed with what the registration card said, he could then join the rest of us Bahá’ís in our endeavor to accomplish our goals of unity and oneness. A relaxed and forthright discussion followed about what it meant to be a Bahá’í. The meeting lasted 3 wonderful and energizing hours. He took the registration card and said that he was ready, that he believed in every thing that he had heard, and that he wanted to reflect about the declaration.

At the next meeting (in the same coffee shop ), __ handed his signed registration card. Since the exciting dynamics of the 4 core activities had been presented to him during the first meeting, he was invited immediately to a Ruhi 1 study circle, which he attended a few hours later. Pursuant his first Ruhi session, and studying and discussing the quotations and observing the dynamics and the level of engagement of the other participants, young and older, he commented how he saw everything coming together.

It is so humbling, such a blessing and unbelievable privilege to be alive and take part in the Plan of the Universal House of Justice.

Assisting the friends to carry out their pledges

The pledges made at the recent Regional Bahá’í Conferences are the foundation of so much of the progress that has occurred in clusters throughout the country. The friends are learning how to coordinate and plan their efforts so that all the earnest services carried out in the field can effectively support each other. Organized and encouraging follow-up is key. A good example of this is the letter sent out by the Regional Bahá’í Council for the South Central states to a number of friends. It illustrates how the friends can be directed to transform their yearning to serve into practical accomplishments.

Dear Friends,

An email letter (below is an example) has been sent to follow up with those friends who have pledged to be a mobile tutor, travel teacher, or homefront pioneer. The Auxiliary Board members and core groups were copied on these communications.

To: The friends who have pledged to assist the __ Cluster (on Bcc: line)

Dear Friends,

The South Central Council was delighted to receive your pledge from the Regional Conference which shared your intention to arise as a mobile tutor, travel teacher, and/or homefront pioneer in service to the Five Year Plan. We were especially pleased to note that many of you have completed the sequence of courses of the training institute, an accomplishment that will best prepare you to take on this important service. . . .

As you carry out your commitment, whether within the cluster where you now reside or in another goal cluster, whether for a short period of time or on a more permanent basis, the Council stands ready to assist you. As you make your plans, we offer some suggestions that may smooth your path. These include:

Consultation with the Auxiliary Board members assigned to the area to determine the most advantageous place for you to render your services (or settle if homefront pioneering). We can provide you with the contact information, if needed.

Brush up on your skills, particularly those of tutor, children’s class teacher, junior youth group animator and direct teacher. Institute refresher courses may be available in the cluster where you now reside and certainly participating in direct collective teaching initiatives and practicing Anna’s presentation will better equip you in your service.

Consult with the friends living in the cluster to learn more about their capacity and challenges. Here again, the Council can provide you with the contact information.

Pray that the doors will be opened for your service.

The Council is praying for your efforts and looking forward to receiving the results of your devoted services.

Get ready for the freight train

The momentum is clearly building in the Central Mountains, NC (B) cluster. Core activities are starting and the friends are arising with new energy. We’re highlighting this excerpt of a recent report from one of the believers because it shows a particularly exciting development: The formation of a junior youth group. This core activity is often challenging to begin, but once even a few junior youth become enthusiastic about participating, there is no stopping them! (That’s why we have the runaway train imagery!)

A junior youth group has commenced. They plan to meet every two weeks and see where the group takes them from there. The junior youth had several ideas for service projects and the animators are planning to guide the consultation to a conclusion to pick one project that they can be successful with. One of the animators commented that the group was so enthusiastic and so happy to have some direction. She said it was effortless because they want to find ways to be a positive force in their community. The junior youth had unbounded excitement and so many ideas for ways they could benefit their community.

Dear friends, all I can say is get ready because opportunities are coming down the track like a freight train on the loose! Be ready to jump on board; this cluster has momentum and wants to keep going!

Personal systematic action on pledges

A few months ago, the pledges were made. And now they are being carried out! One of the beautiful things about the series of Regional Bahá’í Conferences in December is that not only have so many of the believers been mobilized into action, their services are being carried out in a systematic, organized, methodical manner. That is why we are sharing some excerpts of an individual believer in the South Central region, who reports the progress made so far on their own personal pledges—which, by the way involve several communities in a number of clusters. It is one example of the types of persistent and focused efforts that are helping clusters throughout the country advance.

Personal Three-Month Plan for Moving a Goal Cluster in the Region: Log of Personal Accomplishments So Far

PRAYER:

Recited daily the Teaching Prayer for the region to recognize receptive souls

Participated in prayer campaigns, and specific daily prayers for specific matters.

Participated in weekly devotional meetings. . . .

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:

Completed Ruhi __ in an intensive course.

Competing Ruhi __.

Not yet completed Ruhi __.

Will participate in intensive institute campaign in __ cluster.

Co-tutoring Ruhi __ in __. Will probably complete in a few weeks.

Co-tutoring Ruhi __ in another cluster; halfway done.

Co-tutoring Ruhi __ in __.

Participating in a one-on-one study circle with a friend.

OTHER CORE ACTIVITIES:

Organized home visits by members of the __ community to an isolated believer.

Carried out a home visit to another friend.

Helped with children’s classes in __.

Have tried to start a junior youth group but this has not happened yet.

TEACHING:

Have expanded personal contacts for teaching. Record contact information for everyone with whom I discuss the Faith so I can stay in touch with them.

Made connections with other friends to strengthen friendship and begin spiritual conversations. I have also tried to use a direct approach when teaching the Faith.

Participated on direct teaching team that shared Anna’s presentation, resulting in several individuals asking for more information about the Faith and requesting return visits, which then led to some declarations.

Organizing fireside.

Made an additional contribution to the local fund for the teaching work.

An engaging conversation

It’s happening more and more frequently. Someone contacts the Bahá’í community, perhaps through the 1-800-22-UNITE phone line, or the public Web site, or perhaps meets the friends at a core activity or during a teaching project. They ask to know about the Faith. A believer shares the fundamental verities through a heart-to-heart conversation, perhaps at their home, or at a public venue. A new soul enters the Cause and joins the community. This brief report from the Southwest region is along these lines. What is striking is the direct, engaged, conversation between the teachers and seekers. The declarations were naturally followed up with a study circle, and they are not letting geographic distance get in the way: look at what technology can do . . .

E met with myself and another believer. She brought along a friend, B. E was responsive immediately through the entire presentation. . . .

We had met at a coffee shop near her place of work. When we finished Anna’s presentation, she said she had questions, I said WONDEFUL! She asked about the teachings of the Faith about Christ, and we discussed progressive revelation and the importance of God never leaving humanity alone.

She also asked where Bahá’ís meet, as she wanted to meet other Bahá’ís. We discussed some of the activities in her area. B asked E if she had other questions. She said no, he said neither do I, and both declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh right there.

It was such an amazing and spiritual encounter. We discussed the concept of obligatory prayer, as well as Ruhi Book 1. We covered a few of the first quotations during that meeting. She is now participating in a study circle at her home. B lives in another city but is participating in the study circle via a computer chat program so they can see each other and include him in the conversation.

You know you love the numbers! (Because they show us how far we've come)

We’ve pulled out the following excerpt from this report of recent teaching activities in the Pee Dee, SC (A) cluster since it launched its intensive program of growth. It’s a lot of numbers and figures, and in this case the numbers very clearly illustrate the tremendous progress the friends have made, both with teaching and follow-up, just in the past few months, as well as the high receptivity to the Faith.

Dear friends,

As you can see, the Pee Dee cluster has made great progress. Where previously it was quite challenging to commence a Book 1 study circle, now 14 of the 18 most recent declarants are participating in Book 1. Also you can see that after sharing Anna’s presentation 35 times with seekers, 18 people declared, which is a strong indicator of both the effectiveness of the teaching and the receptivity of the community.

Now for the numbers: (You know you love the numbers!)

From 12-13-08 thru 03-05-09 in the Pee Dee Cluster . . .

We visited 251 different homes in 7 different areas of the cluster.

We made 587 total visits to those 251 homes. . . .

There were 308 times that there was no answer.

There were 66 times that we got the response of “not interested”.

There were 218 times that we were invited for a return visit.

There were 35 individuals with whom Anna’s presentation was shared.

We had 18 dear souls declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

We had 14 of the new believers start Ruhi Book 1.

We had 4 of the new believers study at least one deepening theme from Ruhi Book 2.

We have 1 of the new believers already hosting regular devotional gatherings at their home.

"Something truly great is happening here"

There’s a certain point in a cluster’s history where a threshold is crossed. The hearts of the friends are touched in a new way, and they arise with love to serve the Cause with new levels of dedication. It is a point where the friends’ hearts, filled with both courage and love, arise to share the Message as part of an organized, collective, direct teaching effort. Here is a description of that joyful evening where this milestone was reached in Arapahoe-Douglas Counties, CO (B), shared by a member of that cluster’s area teaching committee.

Dear S,

I want to recount our second Cluster Reflection Meeting since we became a "B" Cluster. It was wonderful.

The clubhouse is full in Arapahoe County. 35 Adults, 7 children and 6 Junior Youth. We had 48 red and white roses next to a large photo of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. There was a slide on the screen of the Sea Gate in Akka. One believer told us about Bahá’u’lláh’s experience on that dark day entering the prison city while crowds threw things and called Him names. But what was happening in the spiritual realms was a different story. He heard the angels sing and was greeted by banners of light. She then sang "Soon will all that dwell on earth be enlisted under these banners." It was beautiful. We had a prayer for the 7 friends imprisoned in Iran. . . .

Then a junior youth gave an amazing and well presented account of his teaching team experiences. He began with a prayer and guitar music. It was so wonderful. And sitting in a ring around him, very quiet and respectfully, were all the children. They really looked up to him! Next, a new believer gave a talk about her teaching team’s experience and how they now have 6 kids in their neighborhood children's class. And how one little girl memorized a prayer of Bahá’u’lláh’s perfectly!

D was a perfect emcee. G and J gave a wonderful presentation about forming teaching teams and we broke up into discussion groups, came back together and reported our learning.

Then something wonderful happened: We formed 6 teaching teams for the cluster. Six groups of enthusiastic, excited and creative people decided their own individual paths of service and formed teaching teams! We have 6 teams and already 6 contact people. 6 different goals and focuses. And they all had children, youth or junior youth on them!

It was magic. It was wonderful and I think I actually heard the angels singing, "Soon will all that dwell on Earth be enlisted under these banners!" I am very, very happy tonight!

Something great is happening here. Something truly great. I think even when we don't we see it, when we feel like nothing is happening, there are things occurring in the spiritual realms that are so amazing. There really are banners of light. The angels really do sing.

In His Service,

M