Istiqlál, 19 Raḥmat (Mercy), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
What should be apparent is that, if the Administrative Order is to serve as a pattern for future society, then the community within which it is developing must not only acquire capacity to address increasingly complex material and spiritual requirements but also become larger and larger in size. How could it be otherwise. A small community, whose members are united by their shared beliefs, characterized by their high ideals, proficient in managing their affairs and tending to their needs, and perhaps engaged in several humanitarian projects—a community such as this, prospering but at a comfortable distance from the reality experienced by the masses of humanity, can never hope to serve as a pattern for restructuring the whole of society. That the worldwide Bahá’í community has managed to avert the dangers of complacency is a source of abiding joy to us. Indeed, the community has well in hand its expansion and consolidation. Yet, to administer the affairs of teeming numbers in villages and cities around the globe—to raise aloft the standard of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order for all to see—is still a distant goal.
Therein, then, lies the challenge that must be faced by those in the forefront of the learning process which will continue to advance over the course of the next Plan. Wherever an intensive programme of growth is established, let the friends spare no effort to increase the level of participation. Let them strain every nerve to ensure that the system which they have so laboriously erected does not close in on itself but progressively expands to embrace more and more people. 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. Let them 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. And 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. The implications are clear enough. If, in a cluster, those shouldering responsibility for expansion and consolidation number in the tens, with a few hundred participating in the activities of community life, both figures should rise significantly so that by the end of the Plan, one or two hundred are facilitating the participation of one or two thousand. — Universal House of Justice 1 2
Question for Consideration
How can the friends “increase the level of participation” in an established intensive programme of growth so it “progressively expands to embrace more and more people” while not forgetting “that a relatively small band of active supporters of the Cause cannot attend to the needs of communities comprising hundreds, much less thousands, of men, women, and children?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
To ensure that an intensive programme of growth expands to embrace more and more people—and does not become insular or over-reliant on a small group—the following principles and practical steps, drawn from guidance of the Universal House of Justice, can be applied:
Foster Widespread Involvement and Initiative
Empower Many, Not Few
The administrative structure should safeguard the right of every individual to be meaningfully involved in the development of their community. This avoids the risk of a small group dominating or suffocating the initiative of others.
Encourage Grassroots Participation
Growth must be organic, with activities and responsibilities distributed among a wide base of individuals, not just the most experienced or resourceful [1].
Build Capacity at the Grassroots
Start Modestly, Grow Organically
Social action and community-building efforts should begin on a scale that matches the local capacity, expanding as more people gain skills and experience.
Integrate Spiritual and Material Progress
Efforts to meet material needs should be woven into the ongoing process of spiritual development, such as through devotional meetings, children’s classes, junior youth groups, and study circles [1].
Expand the Circle of Service
Train and Accompany New Participants
Systematic programs of training and accompaniment help new friends quickly become active contributors, reducing reliance on a small core group.
Promote Multiplication of Activities
As more people are empowered, the number and diversity of activities—such as home visits, teaching efforts, and reflection meetings—should increase, providing more entry points for participation [1].
Ensure the System Remains Open and Outward-Looking
Avoid Insularity
The community must constantly strive to reach out and welcome new participants, adapting activities to the culture and interests of the broader population.
Engage with Wider Society
Friends are encouraged to participate in worthy endeavors outside the Bahá’í community, influencing their professional fields and infusing them with Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. This broadens the impact and draws in new collaborators [1].
Learn and Adapt Through Consultation
Reflect and Consult Regularly
Ongoing consultation and reflection meetings allow the community to learn from experience, address challenges, and adjust strategies to better include and serve more people.
Value Diversity of Contributions
Ensure that the talents and perspectives of all, including those with different backgrounds and levels of experience, are welcomed and integrated [1].
Summary Table: Key Actions for Expanding Participation
| Action Area | Key Steps |
|---|---|
| Empowerment | Distribute responsibilities, encourage initiative at all levels |
| Capacity Building | Provide training, accompany new friends, start with manageable activities |
| Multiplication of Activities | Expand core activities (study circles, classes, home visits, etc.) |
| Outreach | Adapt activities to local culture, engage with society beyond the Bahá’í community |
| Reflection & Adaptation | Hold regular consultations, welcome diverse contributions, learn from experience |
By focusing on these principles, the friends can ensure that participation continually increases, the system remains open and dynamic, and the needs of growing communities are met through the efforts of many, rather than a few. This approach allows the community to serve as a true pattern for the transformation of society, rather than remaining a comfortable but isolated example [1].
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Develop local leadership to empower community decision-making.
- Facilitate training programs to build skills among new participants.
- Encourage collaborative projects that involve diverse community members.
- Create feedback mechanisms to adapt growth strategies effectively.
- Promote grassroots initiatives aligned with Bahá’í teachings and capacity.
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/957685520. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed July 10, 2025. [https://www.bahai.org/r/712949052]. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Increasing Participation in Intensive Programmes of Growth.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. July 10, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/a-small-community-whose-member-CmgmiLVhTsyXN4zyrsLluQ. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 