a visit from the councilor
today was a very busy day at the Baha'i Center. we had a visit from our new Councilor, Mr. Youseffian. Until recently, Slovenia had been under the jurisdiction of Dr. Sezgin, as he works in the states of the former yugoslavia and turkey. however, now that slovenia and croatia have seperated administratively, appearantly there was a feeling that they should be seperate in the arm of the Learned as well.
for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Administrative Order of the Baha'i Faith, reading my lj-cut might be benificial.
The administration of the Faith is seperated into two different branchs. We have the Elected, and the Learned. Both branches serve a crucial role in the adminstrative process of the Faith.
The Elected branch, calles so cause, well, we elect them, is comprized of the Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Regional Councils (only active in some nations), the National Spirtual Assemblies, and the Universal House of Justice. The Elected branch of the Faith deals with organization of the community administratively. they write and develop plans for community action, as well as ensure that the laws of Baha'u'llah are followed.
The branch of the Learned are appointed. The Auxiliery Board is appointed by the Continental Board of Councilors, which is appointed by the International Teaching Center, which is appointed by the Universal House of Justice. The Learned are directly responsible for protection and propegation of the Faith. They are directly responcible for the coordination and implementation of the Plans designed by the Universal House of Justice. The Auxiliery Board works in local areas, the Councilors on a continental level, and the ITC works globally. also, the branch of the Learned provides guidence to the believers. LSA's can contact and request to consult the ABm of their area if something comes up which the LSA wishes to seek outside support on. Ultamitely, the decision rests with the LSA, as the ABm only fulfils the role of guidance. This is similarly true with regard to the NSA's and the Councilors.
This is a horribly simple and small explination of the adminstrative order. If you're interested in understanding it better, I strongly suggest that you look at the Advent of Divine Justice and Citedel of Faith, both by Shogi Effendi, as well as reading a document prepaired the the Universal House of Justice entiled 'The Institution of the Councilors'. all of these can be found in ocean.
it's been very interesting being here in slovenia. not only have i interacted and consulted with an elected body of the Faith on the national level, but i've also met and enjoyed personal conversations with two Councilors. it's an honor that not many Baha'is in large countries like the states gets to enjoy.
for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Administrative Order of the Baha'i Faith, reading my lj-cut might be benificial.
The administration of the Faith is seperated into two different branchs. We have the Elected, and the Learned. Both branches serve a crucial role in the adminstrative process of the Faith.
The Elected branch, calles so cause, well, we elect them, is comprized of the Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Regional Councils (only active in some nations), the National Spirtual Assemblies, and the Universal House of Justice. The Elected branch of the Faith deals with organization of the community administratively. they write and develop plans for community action, as well as ensure that the laws of Baha'u'llah are followed.
The branch of the Learned are appointed. The Auxiliery Board is appointed by the Continental Board of Councilors, which is appointed by the International Teaching Center, which is appointed by the Universal House of Justice. The Learned are directly responsible for protection and propegation of the Faith. They are directly responcible for the coordination and implementation of the Plans designed by the Universal House of Justice. The Auxiliery Board works in local areas, the Councilors on a continental level, and the ITC works globally. also, the branch of the Learned provides guidence to the believers. LSA's can contact and request to consult the ABm of their area if something comes up which the LSA wishes to seek outside support on. Ultamitely, the decision rests with the LSA, as the ABm only fulfils the role of guidance. This is similarly true with regard to the NSA's and the Councilors.
This is a horribly simple and small explination of the adminstrative order. If you're interested in understanding it better, I strongly suggest that you look at the Advent of Divine Justice and Citedel of Faith, both by Shogi Effendi, as well as reading a document prepaired the the Universal House of Justice entiled 'The Institution of the Councilors'. all of these can be found in ocean.
it's been very interesting being here in slovenia. not only have i interacted and consulted with an elected body of the Faith on the national level, but i've also met and enjoyed personal conversations with two Councilors. it's an honor that not many Baha'is in large countries like the states gets to enjoy.