Connecting an online registrant to the Local Spiritual Assembly

A growing number of individuals who investigate the Bahá’í Faith are taking the opportunity to declare their belief online. When someone makes this decision and “clicks on the button”, the friends at the national, regional and cluster levels work together to quickly respond to the new believer. Here is a story from a B-stage cluster in the South Central region where the friends at all levels did exactly that. What is also interesting is how the seeker response “regional specialist” is building the capacity of the Local Spiritual Assembly to respond to believers who declare through this channel. In this case, the regional specialist clarified what steps in the enrollment process had already occurred and which ones remained to be completed, as well as the similarities and differences with the steps for “hard copy” registrations. The Local Assembly, in turn, is eager to play its part in the process.

Dear friends,

Glad tidings that __ declared this evening!

__ showed up in my queue. I didn’t know if the local friends had already contacted her or not, and following the request of the Regional Bahá’í Council to contact seekers after 3 days in situations like this, I called the number she had provided. This evening I finally reached her. . . .

She has been moved by the imprisonment of the Bahá’ís in Iran, and is attracted to the fundamental verity of the Faith that all of humanity is one.

I asked if she had received information in the mail, knowing the National Teaching Office had mailed literature. And I asked if anyone in her town had contacted her. She said Yes for both—Terrific! She offered that this Faith is what she believes, and that she had been praying for God to open her heart.

Knowing that, I asked if she would like to hear an overview of the Faith right now? She said Yes. (She had already read quite a bit on line, but she liked the idea of hearing an overview.) We went through the main teachings, following the conversation of Anna in Book 6. When I asked if she would like to be registered as a Bahá’í, she said, "Yes I would."

How wonderful that her heart had been prepared in the last month, and perhaps her entire life!

We talked about books she could read, and I encouraged her to attend devotional gatherings and study circles in her area. I said that I would contact the Bahá’ís who had called her and inform them of her declaration.

So I next called S, and he expressed his joy that __ had declared. When I explained that I assist with seekers and online registrants in the region, and that I could complete the registration process, he said that he preferred that the Local Spiritual Assembly complete the enrollment. I made sure to clarify that a paper card is not necessary to sign, because the registration with her was done online, and my conversation with her covered the affirmation and countersigning process. I also explained that her name would show up tonight in that community’s eMembership queue, and that the Local Assembly could complete the enrollment process for her through eMembership. He said the Assembly would follow up with this.

Very sincerely,

A

Snail mail saves the day

As many recent postings on this site have shown, technology is an excellent tool when connecting with seekers. When that doesn’t work, however, it’s nice to know that “the old fashioned way” (in this case, snail mail) is also an option. Here is a brief report from the Southwest region about a seeker who contacted the Bahá’í community through the 800-22-UNITE phone line. The seeker response “regional specialist” reports:

Dear all,

__ called the 800-22-UNITE phone line. The local friends contacted her with an initial phone call. It was decided to set up a home visit, but when they tried to call her again the number was no good. She had left an address, so the friends sent an invitation via mail. She replied with her new contact information. A home visit was set up.

Here is an account of the meeting:

H and I are happy to report that we were able to meet with __ and her friend before this last Saturday. Both enrolled after hearing Anna's presentation. __ is going to be in another state for the next 4 months so we are going to try to get in contact with the Bahá’ís there. We are trying to get __ into a Ruhi Book 1 we have on Fridays and also have him participate in our monthly devotionals.

Chain reaction of core activities in Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ (A) hit the ground running when it launched its intensive program of growth and it just never occurred to anyone to slow down and catch their breath. A recent newsletter for the cluster had a lot of exciting news. For example, during their 6^th cycle, the friends found 39 individuals who declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, bringing a cumulative total of 387 enrollments since their IPG began. Just as inspiring is the steady focus on multiplying core activities. For example, during the cluster planning process, the friends realized they had a far greater number of people who had completed Ruhi Book 1 than there were devotional meetings (which is the act of service connected to the completion of that course). So one of the main areas of emphasis for the 7^th cycle of the IPG was to encourage more and more of the friends to start devotional meetings—an initiative that is already seeing results. Finally, the believers have gained some truly intriguing insights about how all the core activities are mutually reinforcing and create a coherent pattern of growth and the foundation for a rich and vibrant community life. From the newsletter:

We have found in Phoenix that with the decentralization of children’s classes, doors opened for home visits, which led to weaving bonds of friendship with the greater community, especially in the three focus neighborhoods. These home visits further led to devotional meetings, study circles and more opportunities to engage in direct conversations about the fundamental verities of the Faith, which in turn led to additional devotionals and study circles. This has resulted in a sense of community in these neighborhoods and to the holding of the Nineteen Day Feasts and Holy Day celebrations.

"Many deep moments of joy"

This is a new believer’s account of how he discovered the Bahá’í Faith—and how he plunged into active service after declaring. Woven throughout his story are many, many clear examples of the role of core activities and the institute process in both teaching and consolidation. This cluster clearly has many dedicated friends all working together to establish a coherent pattern of activity. But above all, it simply conveys the excitement of finding the Faith and the sheer joy of teaching.

Hello!

After rejecting organized religion my entire adult life, I was made aware of the Faith late in 2008 by a wonderful woman, a longtime dedicated Bahá’í, who lives in my apartment building. My interest in the Faith was prompted by seeing how living the Faith infuses her life with joy and purity of spirit; discovering that the guiding principle of the Faith is the Oneness of Mankind; and very significantly, learning and being enthralled by the phrase "World Peace Is Not Only Possible, It's Inevitable".

After many conversations with my Bahá’í neighbor, much reading of books she gave me, and participating in various Bahá’í meetings, devotionals, and firesides with other beautiful Bahá’í people, I came to know that the next step I must take was to declare my belief in Bahá’u’lláh and my acceptance of the Faith, and I became a Bahá’í. . . .

Soon after declaring, I became ignited by a fire within me to teach the Faith to others. As someone who has worked to promote the causes of Peace and Love for several decades, I pondered over a personal question: how could I continue to be active in the peace movement, and still have time to work on spreading the Faith? The answer came to me in a startling but unequivocal way: that the best and most useful path for me to follow in advancing the cause of Peace was to concentrate my efforts on advancing the Faith! I realized that advancing the cause of Peace and advancing the Faith are, simply, one and the same thing!

Since that moment, I have endeavored to promote the Cause in many ways, perhaps most notably by holding a devotional gathering for the residents of our apartment building. This devotional, attended by a few residents, resulted in one neighbor expressing what seems to be a sincere interest in the Faith. This individual has attended some informal meetings at my apartment, at one of which another believer in our cluster shared Anna's conversation. Our neighbor has also begun attending weekly Ruhi 4 classes with me, and has been actively involved in the classes, asking insightful questions and showing enthusiasm about continuing their search for knowledge and truth. It is our hope that we will soon begin a Ruhi 1 class together, along with at least one other seeker, a class which I hope to be privileged to co-facilitate with another active and more experienced member of our cluster.

It is worthy of mention that we have arranged for childcare for our neighbor's child during the Ruhi class, childcare which of course is being provided by yet another dedicated Bahá’í friend in our cluster!

This teaching effort has brought me great satisfaction . . . but it should be noted that, remembering what I am learning in a by Ruhi 6 course on Teaching the Cause, I am not to be overly or personally invested in the outcome of the effort!

I am so gratified to be acting in service to the Faith, and have felt many deep moments of joy in this work. Personally, my life has been beautifully enriched by my acceptance of and involvement in the Faith, and I will be eternally grateful to God, to Bahá’u’lláh, and to the incredible Bahá’í who first introduced me to the Faith. It truly has been a transcendent experience, one I never expected to happen!

It is my hope that this story may provide inspiration to others. Contrasted with my previous nagging concern that perhaps all my work for Peace has been for naught, I am now full of optimism and excitement about the future of our world, because I now know that the Most Great Peace will come!

I would be happy to communicate with other new Bahá’ís, and with others who may be seeking a more effective and satisfying life path.

Follow-up takes continuous effort, unity and strength

One of the most inspiring trends in recent months is how the friends—wearing different hats, playing different roles, working at different levels—are learning how to work together to teach and to welcome into the community new believers. Here is a wonderful example from the Memphis Area, TN (A) cluster. In this case, an individual researched the Faith on the internet and registered her belief online. The seeker response “regional specialist” then contacted her. She describes how the process then unfolded:

__ saw an article in the paper that mentioned “Bahá’í”. She then looked it up and researched it on the internet. She was amazed to find the emphasis on the oneness of religion unity of all the peoples of the world. Soon after she declared her belief online. . . .

I called her to carry out the affirmation. So that I didn’t take up too much of her time if she needed to get off the phone, I opened up my call by asking, “Hello, how are you? Is this a good time to go through an overview of the Faith? The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion whose purpose is . . .” We talked for an hour and closed with a prayer.

After completing the enrollment electronically, the regional specialist then contacted the local Bahá’ís to enlist their help with welcoming her. She first outlined for them this individual’s needs and interests:

She is happy to be contacted by Bahá’ís who live near her.

I mentioned that in the next couple of days there would probably be a Feast near by. IF you can accompany here, this might be something that she could attend.

If there is a Bahá’í center in the cluster, I mentioned that she might be able to go to a program there this weekend.

Attending a Book 1 study circle.

Perhaps having her children attend a children’s class.

Very important, the regional specialist then made a direct request to the local friends:

If you will be able to call __ by Saturday, PLEASE call or email me so I know that she is being followed up with.

The local friends jumped into action. They got in touch with this new believer and connected her with numerous events. One of the local Bahá’ís reports back to the regional specialist:

A—

Wanted to let you know that today __ attended a social gathering with other Bahá’ís. Tonight she will be out our house for our regular monthly fireside. Tomorrow night she will attend the Feast with her kids. We will also start Book 1 ASAP. Thanks for all the info and for the GOOD work you do!

In the spirit of accompaniment and encouragement, the regional specialist then responded:

Dear D,

This is fantastic news!

It seems to me that it’s not difficult to facilitate an enrollment, but it takes continuous effort and overcoming MANY challenges to do the follow-up work.

Your cluster has shown so much unity and strength, and responded so quickly with her and her family.

With appreciation,

A

A short while later, the Auxiliary Board member provided the following update:

Dear Friends,

As you know, __ received a lovely welcome to the Bahá’í community. She has now been introduced to the local friends and has been attending various activities and they are working to connect her with the core activities. This level of loving follow-up and integration is very exciting. The cluster institute coordinator has been in contact with her also. __ has been bringing her children to the activities also.

With loving regards,

M

So all the friends working together have helped ensure that a new believer was warmly welcomed into the community.

If you don't know, ASK

Many of us, perhaps because of our upbringing or background, are not completely comfortable talking about religion. Sharing one’s beliefs with another person may seem awkward when we first try it out. And we may be asking ourselves, “Is this person really interested in learning about the Faith?” “Does this person really want to become a Bahá’í right now?” “Am I going to offend them if I assume scenario A when really they are at scenario B?”

One of my elementary school teachers told us, “If you don’t know, ASK.” The problem is, many of us may feel that raising such questions is about as inappropriate in American culture as staring someone straight in the eye when you’re in an elevator together! HOWEVER . . . As the friends around the country build their capacity to teach the Faith directly, drawing from their experiences in the training institute courses and the field of action, they are learning that ASKING such direct questions really is an appropriate and helpful step in a variety of situations . . .

Let’s first look at an example from a cluster in the Central region. In this case, an individual had filled out a registration card and sent it to the Bahá’í community. The seeker response “regional specialist” coordinated with the friends at the local level to follow up with this person. Along the way, the question was raised about the individual’s intentions in registering as a Bahá’í. Here is how the regional specialist advised the local friends (note also the wonderful and natural way they describe the direct sharing of the essential teachings of the Faith):

Dear L,

M wrote about your recent phone call with __, who had declared, and your question about whether they intended to register as a Bahá’í or simply wanted more information. Thank you so much for keeping him informed about your conversation with __.

Since __ did take the initiative to complete the registration and send it in, even if they did not intend to become a Bahá’í, I would like to encourage you to take a more direct approach. It would be great if you could have a conversation with them not unlike Anna’s conversation with Emilia in Book 6. In this way you can better determine if they are open to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.

The Regional Bahá'í Council has a music CDs and some copies of a children’s book in this person’s mother tongue. If you think that these would be helpful in your interaction with them, I will be happy to mail one of each to you.

I look forward to hearing how this follow-up initiative works. Your special efforts in this area are sincerely appreciated.

Loving Bahá'i regards,

A

In other words, it doesn’t hurt to ASK.

On a similar vein is this very concise insight from South Bay, CA (A). In this case, the question relates not to a new declarant, but people that you meet for the first time who may—or may not—be seekers.

We need to get better at determining, in our initial contact with people, whether they truly are interested in learning more about the Faith. We should clearly communicate to the person that it is ok to say they are not interested. That way, we are not wasting each other’s time.

Now let’s go ride an elevator and stare someone in the eye. . . .

"I can't wait"

We just had to share this brief email message from a new believer in the Central region: “I love being a Bahá’í. I love everything about this Faith. I can’t wait until I get to study Book 6 and learn Anna’s presentation so I can better explain the Faith to people who ask me.”