Visit of Counsellor Paul Lample to Kuching

Kuching 23-24 October 2004: The third state level institutional meeting was held at the Crown Towers, Pending with Counsellor Paul Lample from the International Teaching Centre as the guest of honour. Also present was Counsellor George Soraya. Among the 139 participants were representatives of the various national committees and institutions based in Kuching, Regional Council of both north and south region and the teaching committee of central region. Nine ATCs from the southern region and ATC Mukah. Local Assemblies of Miri and Sibu and those of Kuching-Padawan-Samarahan communities were also represented.

Verbal comments from a few participants showed that the meeting not only had instilled fresh inspiration but also had brought about a higher level of understanding regarding the whole process of entry by troops. It had assured the community that it is treading the right path, albeit slowly. The main issues to analyze now are “Where are we now?”, “Where are we going?”, and “How are we going to the place we want to go?”

There should be a natural process of change. The objective of the Five Year Plan is to advance that process. Since the time of the Guardian we had witnessed the process of entry by troops. Since then many people had became Bahá’ís all over the world and soon we cannot sustain the activities. In 1990 to 1992 there were about one million new Bahá’ís but there was no system to consolidate these new believers. From then on the Universal House of Justice provides lots of guidance such as introducing the idea of developing a new culture in the Bahá’í world—the heart of which is the culture of learning. Initially nobody knows how it was but later bit by bit the whole picture fall into place. For example, to teach a five year old, you may be a perfect parent but when the kid reaches 15, the parent must change and know what to do otherwise they are in trouble. So, the individuals and institutions must change their approach to suite the needs of the time.

The role of the various institutions were also elucidated. First of all, the institutions must understand the concept of cluster. This itself is part of the learning. Clusters must be sizeable and manageable and all the friends should be walking in the path of service. There must be institutional support for the establishment of the institute process and development of the human resources should be through the institute. As the community develops, the relation between the institutions becomes more complex but everyone must be open to changes and have the confidence that the directions from the Universal House of Justice will lead to progress. The believers are advised to serve with a great sense of joy but to achieve something some sacrifices may be required…