Bahá'í Administration and Decision Making

No Clergy- Bahá’u’lláh established a unique system of administration in which all members participate equally. The writings of the Faith forbid the creation of a priesthood. At the heart of every Bahá’í community—local or national—is an elected nine-member institution known as the Spiritual Assembly. The Spiritual Assembly acts corporately. Power is not vested in individuals.

Elections without Politics- Every year, the adult members of each local Bahá’í community select the nine community members to serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly. Every year delegates assemble to elect a nine-member National Spiritual Assembly as well. All Bahá’í elections are by secret ballot in an atmosphere of prayer. Nominations, electioneering, and campaigning are not permitted. The sacred writings of the Faith specifically prohibit political parties, factions, machinations, or alliances of any kind.

The Work of Spiritual Assemblies- Matters for consideration by the Spiritual Assemblies cover the entire range of community life. The members of the Assemblies are exhorted in the Bahá’í writings to act with justice in all things, and to ensure the rights and happiness of all.

Worldwide Spiritual Assemblies- There are more than 1200 Local Spiritual Assemblies in the United States and more than l7,000 in the world. And there are more than 170 National Spiritual Assemblies in countries around the world.

Cooperation, Consultation, Consensus- The key to Bahá’í community life is cooperation. This principle is at work at every level of the Bahá’í way of life, from the actions and choices of the individual to the non-partisan, participatory manner in which the Bahá'í administrative system operates.

Consultation- A Spiritual Assembly makes decisions through a process of prayerful and frank consultation. The purpose of the consultation is to find the truth of any matter and, whenever possible, to achieve a consensus. This requires that individuals not hold fast to personal opinions simply in order to have their views prevail. Instead, they must approach matters with a genuine desire to determine the right course of action. If consensus cannot be achieved, the majority vote of a quorum prevails, and the decision is equally valid and binding. Every member of the community is responsible for achieving its common goals. The principle of consultation applies for all Bahá’ís, in any situation.

Home