...the flourishing of the community, especially at the local
level, demands a significant enhancement in patterns of behaviour: those
patterns by which the collective expression of the virtues of the individual
members and the functioning of the Spiritual Assembly are manifest in the unity
and fellowship of the community and the dynamism of its activity and growth.
This calls for the integration of the component elements—adults, youth and
children—in spiritual, social, educational and administrative activities; and
their engagement in local plans of teaching and development. It implies a
collective will and sense of purpose to perpetuate the Spiritual Assembly
through annual elections. It involves the practice of collective worship of
God. Hence, it is essential to the spiritual life of the community that the
friends hold regular devotional meetings in local Bahá'í centres, where
available, or elsewhere, including the homes of believers.
- The Universal House
of Justice (Ridvan 1996 message; compilation: ‘Selected
Guidance Concerning Devotional Gatherings’, prepared by the Research Department
of the Universal House of Justice, 2001)
