A community of dynamism and stability
The outgoing chairperson of Australia’s Baha’i national governing body, the National Spiritual Assembly, has highlighted the “dynamism and stability” of the national Baha’i community over the past year, reflecting on the progress made by the Baha’i community as well as the challenges faced.
The reflections were made on the first day of the National Baha’i Convention, where almost 90 delegates from more than 50 localities across the country have gathered in a spirit of unity, reverence and joy for the sacred task of electing the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for the upcoming year.
Following a prayer and acknowledgement to Country, the outgoing chairperson opened the Convention, paying respects to the friends in Iran, whose ongoing persecution continued to win “our eternal admiration and gratitude” while inspiring “us to shoulder our own responsibilities with increasing resolve”.
It was remarked that while an abundance of social forces impacted the community over the past year, “some that we could not even have imagined”, the year was still characterised by “dynamism and stability” and “immense blessing” as more individuals were embraced into the society-building endeavours of the Faith and the circle of participation was widened.
As the Universal House of Justice states:
A challenge for Baha’i communities worldwide, then, is to examine the present practices in their societies, weigh them in light of the Teachings, weed out any undesirable tendencies, and learn to establish new patterns of family life suited to the needs of a new age.
The Universal House of Justice
The chairperson reflected that the national Baha’i community, far from being swept away by the negative forces in society, was able to press onward with a shift in perspective and approach. Closing her remarks, she called to mind the following words of the Universal House of Justice:
Beloved coworkers: Beyond the need to win our goals, humanity’s current plight summons us to redoubled action. The cloud of despair hanging over the fortunes of a deranged world is the very harbinger of the spring rain that can quench the spiritual and material thirst of every people. It has only to be seeded through constant and confident acts of teaching. The performance of such acts, though dependent for reinforcement on the functions of Bahá’í institutions, rests primarily and ultimately with Bahá’í individuals.
The Universal House of Justice
Let no excessive self-criticism or any feelings of inadequacy, inability or inexperience hinder you or cause you to be afraid. Bury your fears in the assurances of Baha’u’llah. Has He not asserted that upon anyone who mentions His Name will descend the “hosts of Divine inspiration” and that on such a one will also descend the “Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light”? Step forth, then, into the arena where all His loved ones are equally summoned, equally challenged and abundantly blessed.
The National Baha’i Convention will take place over three days, allowing the delegates to consult on community affairs, make recommendations and suggestions to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia, and elect the members who will serve on the institution for the upcoming year.
The Baha’i election process gives each delegate freedom to vote confidentially for those of his or her own choosing among all the adults of the national community. It is a democratic process that is sacred and dignified, free from nomination or campaigning.
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Horizons Team
The Horizons Team aims to cast a spotlight on how the Baha’i Faith’s society-building power is being released in ever-greater measures across this vast and diverse country of ours.
Published in April, 2025, in Baha'i Institutions > News & Announcements
Available online at: horizons.bahai.org.au/bahai-institutions/a-community-of-dynamism-and-stability/
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