Downloads    

(curtain opens to Actor 1, perusing Training Institutes booklet; Actor 2 enters and questions...)

Actor 2:  What'ya readin' there?

Actor 1: Oh, this? It's a booklet on Training Institutes. Guidance from the Universal House of Justice.

Actor 2: Training institutes, huh? Well, I've been hearing quite a bit about these training institutes for some time, now. I've got to admit, though, even after all the talk, I'm not so clear on what they're all about.

Actor 1:  Yeah it can get confusing.

Actor 2:  So, you've got the book. What's the purpose of these institutes, anyway?

Actor 1:  Well, knowing their purpose probably would be a good place to start. Let's see. Here in the '96 Ridvan letter, it explains that, and I quote "these centres of Baha'i learning will have..."

Actor 2:  That'd be the training institutes, right?

Actor 1:  What?

Actor 2:  The centres of learning.

Actor 1:  Yes, the institutes. Precisely. (clears throat) "These centres of Baha'i learning will have as their goal one very practical outcome, namely, the raising up of large numbers of believers who are tr...

Actor 2:  Large numbers. How large?

Actor 1:  Umm, doesn't say.

Actor 2:  Just large?

Actor 1:  That's right. Large.

Actor 2:  Ok, large. That's fine, I guess. Please go on.

Actor 1:  Gladly. As I was saying, the institutes will have as their goal the very practical outcome of "the raising up of large numbers of believers who are trained to foster and facilitate the process of entry by troops with efficiency and love." End quote.

Actor 2:  Well that sure sounds like a good thing. The "raising up of large numbers of believers," huh?  And with both efficiency and love. Not bad. 

Actor 1:  Yep. There it is, in black and white. Universal House of Justice.

Actor 2:  Yeah. Universal House of Justice. Can't beat that.

Actor 1:  Nope.

Actor 2:  But that's quite a tall order, isn't it?  I mean, c'mon, now. We must be missing something here. How is it that a sequence of a few simple courses are going to accomplish all that?

Actor 1:  Well, check this out. According to a document written for and approved by the House of Justice in '98, and, I quote, "training courses raise the enthusiasm of the friends for teach..."

Actor 2:  Friends?

Actor 1:  The Baha'is.

Actor 2:  Oh, yeah. Friends.

Actor 1:  Yes, friends (impatient, clears throat) the courses "raise the enthusiasm of the friends for teaching and help them acquire the necessary skills." End quote.

Actor 2:  Those seem like some pretty key ingredients to the process.

Actor 1:  I agree.

Actor 2:  Enthusiasm for teaching coupled with the skills to do it. Yeah, makes sense. Afterall, my own enthusiasm could use some lifting every now and then. And yours too, I bet.

Actor 1:  Well, sure, I suppose that...

Actor 2:  Easier said than done, though. Right? I mean, what's so special about these training institute programs that allows them to do all that? Raise enthusiasm, and skills and stuff?

Actor 1:  Hmm. Well, Let's take a look at what the House of Justice has to say. They state here that the courses "help to develop in each participant a deep love for Baha'u'llah, a good understanding of His essential Teachings and an awareness of the importance of developing the spiritual life of each individual through prayer, meditation and immersion in the Sacred Writings."

Actor 2:  I see. Immersion in the Sacred Writings.

Actor 1:  Thanks for not interrupting.

Actor 2:  What?

Actor 1:  Thanks for...  Never mind. Look, here.  In addition to that, the International Teaching Centre calls attention to "the curriculum's deceptively simple approach" which they describe as "both appealing and empowering." That must play a part, too.

Actor 2:  Yeah, it might.

Actor 1:  No doubt.

Actor 2:  So I guess there you have it. A deepened spiritual life... immersion in the Writings... a deep love for Baha'u'llah. All in a neatly packaged curriculum that is both appealing and empowering. Well it all sounds pretty good. 

Actor 1:  I think so.

Actor 2:  Yeah, but...

Actor 1:  But what?

Actor 2:  What I wanna know is can we truly be confident that if we devote our efforts to these institutes, that we'll see some bona fide results? I mean, I'm tired of all this talk, talk, talk. And my time is pretty limited. Do you think our community is really gonna grow as a result of all this?

Actor 1:  Fair question. Let's take a look at what the Universal House of Justice has to say. (paging)

Actor 2:  Please.

Actor 1:  Here. Introducing the Four Year Plan they write "your participation in institute programs... will result in a commensurate acceleration in the expansion of your communities." I'd say that sounds pretty encouraging.

Actor 2:  Wow. So our community's expansion grows in accordance with our participation in training institutes. That's quite a statement. And from the House of Justice...

Actor 1:  The Universal One.

Actor 2:  Hmm. (pauses)  Ok, ok, This is sounding like some pretty pivotal stuff, these institutes. I could get excited about this. Whaddya say we get involved in one of these weekly study circles? You and me. They sound like a great way to serve, deepen, and have some fun and fellowship, in the process. Of course we'll have to get everyone else to ante up, too. No dead wood, here. So how does the book say we get everyone on board with this business? Read on.

Actor 1:  Now slow down just a bit. Here it notes that, "training institutes are not in charge of deepening the entire community; their task is to focus on a percentage of the believers who are eager to learn and willing to teach and deepen others."

Actor 2:  Not everyone...I see. Well that makes sense. I mean, afterall, those folks who have been Baha'is for so long- they probably don't care much for this stuff.

Actor 1:  Maybe so. But then again, the Universal House of Justice here writes to North America, saying that the institutes are an "indespensable element of a sustained endeavor...to ensure... that an opportunity is provided for all Baha'is, new and veteran, to embark on a systematic study of the fundamental verities of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah."

Actor 2:  Woah. Now that's a mouthful, isn't it?  Did I hear you mention all Baha'is somewhere in there?

Actor 1:  Yes, an opportunity for all Baha'is. But non-Baha'is as well. Look. Here the Teaching Center says that "the majority of non-Baha'is who participate in the institute programs accept the Faith by the completion of the first course."

Actor 2:  The majority, huh?

Actor 1:  Yeah. (excitedly) And listen to what it says here about study circles becoming the "nuclei for community life and catalysts for teach..."

Actor 2:  But what about folks from different backgrounds? Different education, and all that? Do you think these courses are sensitive to that kind of thing? After all, some folks might not want to jump in those waters. They might feel, well, you know.. umm..

Actor 1:  Uncomfortable?

Actor 2:  Right, uncomfortable. Or umm,

Actor 1:  Alienated?

Actor 2:  Sure! Alienated. And those clever folks, well, they may just be plain, uhh..

Actor 1:  Bored?

Actor 2:  You bet. Bored!.

Actor 1:  Yeah, that's a good concern. But in this same passage we referred to before, The International Teaching Centre specifies that "Baha'is with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds have found the curriculum's deceptively simple approach...both appealing and empowering."

Actor 2:  So, maybe they're ok for everyone.

Actor 1:  Maybe.

Actor 2:  Hmm..  What was that bit about the Centers for Baha'i learning, again?

Actor 1:  Huh? The institutes?

Actor 2:  Yeah, You know. Their goal being to raise up large numbers of believers and all that?

Actor 1:  And foster and facilitate the process of entry by troops?

Actor 2:  That's right. That part. Read that part again.

Actor 1:  "These centers of Baha'i learning will have as their goal, one very practical outcome, namely the rai.." (stops) Here. Please. Help yourself.  (hands book)

Actor 2:  Oh, Gosh. Thanks. (examines pages) Really, wow. Thanks

Actor 1:  Don't mention it.  (exits while actor2 remains reading)

(Curtain)