The Baha'i Administrative Order

To understand the Baha'i Faith, it is important to have a basic understanding of it's method of administration. The framework was outlined by Baha'u'llah (Prophet-Founder), explained by Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'u'llah's son), given shape and direction by Shoghi Effendi (Baha'u'llah's great grandson and Guardian of the Baha'i Faith), and is now directed by the Universal House of Justice (the international governing body).

Since the Baha'i Faith is made up of individuals, that is a good place to start. The individual Baha'i is responsible for his/her own spiritual growth. Each should study the writings in order to better understand God's Will. The absence of a paid clergy places this responsibility clearly on each individual, along with the requirement to minister to one another. To this end, many communities (which are only groups of individuals anyway) hold informal meeting to study and gain a deeper understanding of the Faith (these are usually referred to as "deepenings").

A lone Baha'i in a given local is referred to as an isolated believer, while two or more Baha'is constitute a group. Once the number of Baha'is in a local (such as a city, township or unincorporated county area) reaches 9 adults or more a Local Spiritual Assembly is established. These three have basically the same administrative responsibilities, that is, to teach the Faith, observe the 19-Day Feasts and Holy Days, and, to contribute to the funds (local, national and international).

While individuals and groups my function as they see fit (for the most part), the Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA) is considered a divinely ordained administrative institution. The LSA is composed of the nine adults that received the most votes in the annual elections, which take place on the First Day of Ridvan (April 21st). These elections are held without politicking (as are all other Baha'i elections). Each must vote for the nine individuals the voter believes to be the best suited. The balloting is secret.

The National Spiritual Assembly is also elected annually, but it is elected by a group of delegates, as opposed to all the individual Baha'is in the country. The delegates are elected each year at district conventions held throughout the country. The delegates they travel to the National Headquarters (Wilmette, IL) and elect the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Every five years the members of all the National Spiritual Assemblies elect the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, which has the responsibility of overseeing the international Baha'i Community.

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