Thematic Question # 6
In what way are you going to respond to the opportunity*
now before you?
While trying to understand to the process ‘integration’ and ‘disintegration’; ‘order’ and ‘chaos’’ and situating humanity and myself in the history, I had to revisit the compilation, statement of the Universal House of Justice; and letter addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies on Entry by Troops in 1993.
Its reminds me of the writing quoted in the WOB- p162 “Can now discern in as much as the prevailing order appeareth to be lamentably defective.” And respond to the opportunity now facing us.
In the opening paragraph of the Universal House of Justice wrote:
“The growing receptivity of the people of the world to Bahá’u’lláh’s message reinforce our conviction that Entry by Troops will soon become an established pattern for the growth of the faith in country after country.”
The single aim the Five Year Plan is the process of advancement of entry by troops.
This compilation and statement will help the assemblies and all friends to understand, welcome, initiate and sustain this process. The study of the Century of Light has reinforced the conviction of this process. The portal of Entry by Troops is the three core activities (study circles, children classes and devotional meeting) and their intensification and integration; teaching activities for expansion.
The challenges before us that Entry by Troops is not merely a stage of the process of the Cause but it is a phenomenon which the Bahá’í communities by their own activities, can prepare for and help to bring about. What we need to foster and unite is clarity of vision for the expansion of the Cause. The Century of Light remind us of that “The systematic identifications of objectives are to be achieved and decision as to know to achieve them does not mean that the Bahá’í community has assume the responsibility of “designing” a future for itself, as a concept of planning customarily applies. What Bahá’í institutions do, rather, is to strive to align the work of the Cause with the Divinely impelled process they see steadily unfolding in the world, a process that will ultimately realize its purpose, regardless of the historical circumstances or events.”
In the same letter (9 Nov. 1993) the Universal House of Justice wrote: To build a new world is no easy task. The road is stony and filled with obstacles, but the journey is infinitely rewarding. The Century of Light give lengthy scenario, but opportunities latent in this is great and we have to do some kind of “surgical operation” to find opportunities hidden which called creativity and imagination.
The growth of the Faith is organic and the possibilities in the teaching field is vast. The House of Justice in the statement promoting entry by troops (October 1993) wrote that “steady flow of reinforcement” of pioneers will “presage and hasten the advent of the Day” and will witness the entry by troops” before mass conversion as the event will occur there will be a “chain of events and possibility catastrophic in nature” and will “derange the equilibrium of the world”.
Who knows, except God, which events will precipitate before the formation of a World Government.
But at the start of our current Plan in a letter of the House dated 9th January 2001, called for homefront pioneers in Clusters where it is a virgin area.
To refine our understanding of the process associated with Entry by Troops and responding the challenges let us all concentrate and focus our efforts to study the compilation Entry by Troops. Here some of the general features of the growth process and call attention to factors that contribute to the expansion of the Faith and specific activities to be undertaken to promote and sustain the process
1.Some Characteristic of Growth
(a)
Organic growth-the growth of the faith proceeds in an
organic evolutionary manner” the study of COL give thin scenario
(b)
Dynamic crisis and victory “the dynamic interplay
of the process of crisis and victory characterizes the development of the
Faith”
(c)
Impact of social decline –“Shoghi Effendi calls
attention to the purifying influence of suffering and tribulation associated
with the process of social decline” again COL clarify my vision.
(d)
Emergence from obscurity it underlines the urgent challenges
facing the Bahá’í communities to meet the needs of the possibilities that arise
as Lesser Peace approaches COL give the opportunity see the emergence.
2. Factors contributing the Growth
‘Undertake the fact the a mere increase in the number of believers does not necessarily mean the cannot progress of the Cause what is more important consequences of your activities are the spirit that is diffused into life of the community teachings we proclaim become part of the consciousness and belief of the people that hear the,
Col teaches on level of consciousness
(a) Commitments to spiritual transformation , the House of Justice wrote:
“When the spirit of teaching which calls for complete dedication, consecration to the noble mission and living the life is fulfilled not only by the individual but by the assemblies also, the Faith will grow ‘but there are also enhance success in teaching”
(b) “Love and unity-unity and love among the friends as spirit which must animate their community life”
(c) Universal participation-the statement points out universal participation and persistent efforts by the friends to teach the Cause, to apply its principles and to further the development of its institution are not “indispensable to developing the human resources necessary to the progress of the Cause” but it also enhance the success in teaching”.
(d) Balance between Expansion and Consolidation
This twin process that goes hand in hand has been amply described in the COL
In Ridván message 1990 “ we have every encouragement to believe that large-enrollment will expand, involve village after village, town after town, from one country to another. However, it is not for us to wait passively for ultimate fulfillment of Shoghi Effendi’s vision . We few, placing our whole trust in the Providence of God and regarding as a divine principle the challenges, which face us, must proceed to victory with to victory with plan in hand.”
(e) Bahá’í Community as a Model
Century of Light quoted the passage from The Promise of World Peace and in this statement it says “ until the public sees in the Bahá’í Community a true pattern in action of something better that it already has it will not respond to the Faith in large numbers.
Promoting Entry by Troops
There are six points mention in the statement which directly, indirectly or subtly dealt on the COL
1. Strengthening of Spiritual Assemblies
2. Efficient Administration and Prompt Consolidation
3. Strategic, flexible Teaching Plans
4. Reaching the People of Capacity
5. Relating the Faith to Contemporary Social and Humanitarian Issues
6. Goal- oriented Behavior
Conclusion
While pursuing the Objectives of the Five Year Plan and align our will to the Will of God
The Col give us insight of our mission and opportunities in a clear term
“ Its purpose is to assist the people of the world to open their mind and heart to the Power that can fulfill their ultimate longing. There are none, except those who have themselves awakened to the Revelation of God, who can help. There are none who understand, however dimly, the words with which the Voice of God Summoned Bahá’u’lláh to arise and undertake His Mission.”