ipg workshop demystified

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IPG DemystifiedIPG Demystified

As currently conceived, an intensive programme of growth As currently conceived, an intensive programme of growth

is straightforward, simple and effective, but implies a levelis straightforward, simple and effective, but implies a level

of exertion that tests the resolve of the friends.of exertion that tests the resolve of the friends.

(The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)(The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)



A Series of Worldwide Enterprises A Series of Worldwide Enterprises

The Five Year Plan that follows (2001 The Five Year Plan that follows (2001--2006) will initiate a2006) will initiate a

series of worldwide enterprises that will carry the Bahá'íseries of worldwide enterprises that will carry the Bahá'í

community through the final twenty years (2001community through the final twenty years (2001--2021)2021)

in the first century of the Faith's Formative Age. Thesein the first century of the Faith's Formative Age. Theseglobal Plans will continue toglobal Plans will continue to focus on advancing thefocus on advancing the

process of entry by troopsprocess of entry by troops and on its systematicand on its systematic

acceleration.acceleration.

(The Universal House of Justice, 1999 Nov 26)(The Universal House of Justice, 1999 Nov 26)



Let There Be No DoubtLet There Be No Doubt

Let there be no doubt that what we are witnessing Let there be no doubt that what we are witnessing is the gathering momentum of that process of is the gathering momentum of that process of the entry of humanity into the Cause by troops,the entry of humanity into the Cause by troops,

foreshadowed by Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet to theforeshadowed by Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet to theKing of Persia, eagerly anticipated by the Master,King of Persia, eagerly anticipated by the Master,and described by the Guardian as the necessary and described by the Guardian as the necessary prelude to mass conversion.prelude to mass conversion.

(The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)(The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)



The Blessed Beauty The Blessed Beauty

Erelong shall the snow Erelong shall the snow--white hand of God rend an white hand of God rend an

opening through the darkness of this night andopening through the darkness of this night and

unlock a mighty portal unto His City. On thatunlock a mighty portal unto His City. On thatDay shall the people enter therein by troops«Day shall the people enter therein by troops«

(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts,(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts,

p. 134)p. 134)



The Master The Master

«the people will enter into the religion of God by troops«the people will enter into the religion of God by troops with great enthusiasm and attraction« with great enthusiasm and attraction«

(Abdu'l(Abdu'l--Baha, Tablets of Abdu'lBaha, Tablets of Abdu'l--Baha v3, p. 680)Baha v3, p. 680)I beg of God to strengthen these spiritual bonds as day I beg of God to strengthen these spiritual bonds as day

followeth day, and make this mystic oneness to shinefolloweth day, and make this mystic oneness to shineever more brightly, until at last all shall be as troopsever more brightly, until at last all shall be as troops

marshalled together beneath the banner of themarshalled together beneath the banner of theCovenant «Covenant «

(Abdu'l(Abdu'l--Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'lBaha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l--Baha, p. 19)Baha, p. 19)



The Guardian The Guardian

Such a steady flow of reinforcements is absolutely vitalSuch a steady flow of reinforcements is absolutely vitaland is of extreme urgency«and is of extreme urgency«

This flow, moreover, will presage and hasten the advent This flow, moreover, will presage and hasten the advent

of the day which, as prophesied by 'Abdu'lof the day which, as prophesied by 'Abdu'l--Bahá, willBahá, will witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nations witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nationsand races into the Bahá'í worldand races into the Bahá'í world ---- a day which, vieweda day which, viewedin its proper perspective, will be the prelude to thatin its proper perspective, will be the prelude to thatlong long--awaited hour when a mass conversion on the partawaited hour when a mass conversion on the part

of these same nations and races«will suddenly of these same nations and races«will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith«revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith«

(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 117)(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 117)



A Historical Perspective A Historical Perspective

Intensive Programme of TeachingIntensive Programme of TeachingIt is the privilege of the Burmese friends to reIt is the privilege of the Burmese friends to re--

adjust and stimulate their own activities, lay adjust and stimulate their own activities, lay

down their owndown their own programme for an intensive andprogramme for an intensive andsystematic campaign of Teaching systematic campaign of Teaching, and, with an, and, with anunshakable resolve, arise to carry it to aunshakable resolve, arise to carry it to asuccessful conclusion.successful conclusion.

(Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 7 February 1925,(Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 7 February 1925,Messages to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 14)Messages to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 14)



Intensive Programmes of Growth (IPG)Intensive Programmes of Growth (IPG)

First Mention: The PurposeFirst Mention: The Purpose The friends who participate in these The friends who participate in these intensiveintensive

programmes of growthprogrammes of growth should bear in mind that theshould bear in mind that thepurpose is to ensure that the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláhpurpose is to ensure that the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláhreaches the masses of humanity and enables them toreaches the masses of humanity and enables them toachieve spiritual and material progress through theachieve spiritual and material progress through theapplication of the Teachings«They cannot withholdapplication of the Teachings«They cannot withhold whatever effort, whatever sacrifice, may be called for. whatever effort, whatever sacrifice, may be called for.

(The Universal House of Justice, 2001 Jan 09, Conference(The Universal House of Justice, 2001 Jan 09, Conferenceof the Continental Boards of Counsellors)of the Continental Boards of Counsellors)



Intensity of EffortIntensity of Effort

In the vanguard of the process are those clusters which,In the vanguard of the process are those clusters which,although still relatively few in number, are now ready toalthough still relatively few in number, are now ready tolaunchlaunch intensive programmes of growthintensive programmes of growth. The scale of . The scale of

expansion that is to mark the next stage of growth inexpansion that is to mark the next stage of growth inthese clusters calls for an intensity of effort yet to bethese clusters calls for an intensity of effort yet to beachieved. May the prodigious output of energy devotedachieved. May the prodigious output of energy devotedto this mighty undertaking be reinforced by the powerto this mighty undertaking be reinforced by the powerof Divine assistance.of Divine assistance.

(The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)(The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)



A dvancing Entry by Troops A dvancing Entry by Troops

Specifically, the House of Justice explained thatSpecifically, the House of Justice explained that

realizing the aim of advancing the process of realizing the aim of advancing the process of

entry by troopsentry by troops ´will depend on the rapid increase in ´will depend on the rapid increase in the number of teachers of the Cause.µ the number of teachers of the Cause.µ

(ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)(ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)



Paramount Duty of every Baha·iParamount Duty of every Baha·i

Yet, as we know, our obligation to teach the Cause Yet, as we know, our obligation to teach the Cause

is not dependent on what cluster we live in oris not dependent on what cluster we live in or

how many courses we have studiedhow many courses we have studied. ´God hath . ´God hath

prescribed unto every one,µ prescribed unto every one,µ Bahá'u'lláh wrote,Bahá'u'lláh wrote, ´the ´the

duty of teaching His Cause.µ duty of teaching His Cause.µ




Become a More Effective TeacherBecome a More Effective Teacher

In all cases, what is required is wholehearted commitmentIn all cases, what is required is wholehearted commitmentto learning how to become a more effective teacher soto learning how to become a more effective teacher sothat we are prepared to fulfill this summons of thethat we are prepared to fulfill this summons of theHouse of Justice:House of Justice:

´We especially appeal to our fellow Bahá'ís everywhere to mount a ´We especially appeal to our fellow Bahá'ís everywhere to mount a mightier effort than ever before in offering the Message of mightier effort than ever before in offering the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to increasing numbers of their compatriots, and in Bahá'u'lláh to increasing numbers of their compatriots, and in

inviting them to investigate and embrace His Cause.µ inviting them to investigate and embrace His Cause.µ




R esurgence of TeachingR esurgence of Teaching

To realize this objective, an understanding of the To realize this objective, an understanding of the

mechanics of the processmechanics of the process ---- the steps in the cycle of the steps in the cycle of

expansion and consolidationexpansion and consolidation ---- however essential, willhowever essential, will

not suffice. What is also required is a resurgence of not suffice. What is also required is a resurgence of teaching, of teaching, of ´inviting people of every sort and every gift to the ´inviting people of every sort and every gift to the

banquet table of the Lord of Hosts.µ banquet table of the Lord of Hosts.µ




Constancy in TeachingConstancy in Teaching

As the House of Justice wrote when it laid before As the House of Justice wrote when it laid before

us the aim of advancing the process of entry by us the aim of advancing the process of entry by

troops,troops, ´thousands upon thousands of believers will need ´thousands upon thousands of believers will need

to be aided to express the vitality of their faith through to be aided to express the vitality of their faith through

constancy in teaching the Cause.µ constancy in teaching the Cause.µ




The Way Forward is Clear The Way Forward is Clear

Indeed, so consistent has been the experience withIndeed, so consistent has been the experience withintensive programmes of growthintensive programmes of growth, implemented on the, implemented on thebasis of this understanding in divers clusters, that nobasis of this understanding in divers clusters, that no

cause for equivocation remains. The way forward iscause for equivocation remains. The way forward isclear, and at Ridvan 2006 we will call upon the believersclear, and at Ridvan 2006 we will call upon the believersto steel their resolve and to proceed with the full force of to steel their resolve and to proceed with the full force of their energies on the course that has been so decidedly their energies on the course that has been so decidedly set.set.




Expansion PhaseExpansion Phase

The expansion phase, often a period of two weeks, The expansion phase, often a period of two weeks,demands the highest level of intensity«demands the highest level of intensity«

Plans being devised for this phase invariably involve thePlans being devised for this phase invariably involve theimplementation of carefully designed teaching projectsimplementation of carefully designed teaching projectsand campaigns of home visits and firesides, oftenand campaigns of home visits and firesides, oftenthrough the mobilization of teaching teams. The patternthrough the mobilization of teaching teams. The patternof expansion that unfolds, however, varies from clusterof expansion that unfolds, however, varies from cluster

to cluster.to cluster.




Consolidation PhaseConsolidation Phase

«the consolidation phase, which largely involves«the consolidation phase, which largely involves

nurturing the interest of seekers and accompanying nurturing the interest of seekers and accompanying

them in their spiritual search until they arethem in their spiritual search until they are

confirmed in their faith.confirmed in their faith.




Cluster R eflection MeetingCluster R eflection Meeting(R eflection & Planning Phases)(R eflection & Planning Phases)

Key to the progress of an intensive programme of growth is theKey to the progress of an intensive programme of growth is thephase dedicated to reflection, in which the lessons learned inphase dedicated to reflection, in which the lessons learned inaction are articulated and incorporated into plans for the nextaction are articulated and incorporated into plans for the next

cycle of activity. Its principal feature is the reflection meeting cycle of activity. Its principal feature is the reflection meeting -- asasmuch a time of joyous celebration as it is of seriousmuch a time of joyous celebration as it is of seriousconsultation..consultation..

Meetings of reflection will have to be held periodically in order toMeetings of reflection will have to be held periodically in order to

monitor progress, maintain unity of thought and mobilize themonitor progress, maintain unity of thought and mobilize theenergies of the friends.energies of the friends.




Bend Your EnergiesBend Your Energies

The friends and their institutions were urged to study the The friends and their institutions were urged to study the

message (27 Dec 2005) thoroughly, and its content ismessage (27 Dec 2005) thoroughly, and its content is

no doubt well familiar to you. We now call upon eachno doubt well familiar to you. We now call upon each

and every one of you to bend your energies towardsand every one of you to bend your energies towardsensuring that the goal of establishing over the next fiveensuring that the goal of establishing over the next five

yearsyears intensive programmes of growthintensive programmes of growth in no less thanin no less than

1,500 clusters worldwide is successfully met.1,500 clusters worldwide is successfully met.

(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 163, 2006)(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 163, 2006)



A rise and A chieve Our End A rise and A chieve Our End

With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the

knowledge of the gracious aid of Bahá'u'lláh and theknowledge of the gracious aid of Bahá'u'lláh and the

repeated assurances of 'Abdu'lrepeated assurances of 'Abdu'l--Bahá, let us first strive toBahá, let us first strive to

live the life and then arise with one heart, one mind,live the life and then arise with one heart, one mind,one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve ourone voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our

end.end.

(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24

Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68--69)69)



R aise the CryR aise the Cry

Let us recall«the last wishes of our departed yet everLet us recall«the last wishes of our departed yet ever-- watchful Master: watchful Master:

"It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to"It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to

seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every land, pass by every clime, and travel throughout allland, pass by every clime, and travel throughout allregions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to theregions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to theend, they must raise in every land the triumphal cry end, they must raise in every land the triumphal cry 'Ya'Ya--Baha'u'lBaha'u'l--Abha!' (O Thou the Glory of Glories).... Abha!' (O Thou the Glory of Glories)....

(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68--69)69)



A rise to Teach His Cause A rise to Teach His Cause

Having grasped the significance of these words, having Having grasped the significance of these words, having obtained a clear understanding of the true character of obtained a clear understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods to adopt, the course toour mission, the methods to adopt, the course topursue, and having attained sufficiently the individualpursue, and having attained sufficiently the individual

regenerationregeneration ---- the essential requisite of teaching the essential requisite of teaching ---- letletus arise to teach His Cause with righteousness,us arise to teach His Cause with righteousness,conviction, understanding and vigor. Let this be theconviction, understanding and vigor. Let this be theparamount and most urgent duty of every Bahá'í.paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá'í. Let usLet usmake it the dominating passion of our life.make it the dominating passion of our life.

(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68--69)69)



Therein Lies the Hope Therein Lies the Hope

If we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not farIf we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not fardistant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from thedistant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from theinevitable obscurity of a young and struggling Faith into theinevitable obscurity of a young and struggling Faith into thebroad daylight of universal recognition. This is our duty, our firstbroad daylight of universal recognition. This is our duty, our first

obligation. Therein lies the secret of the success of the Cause weobligation. Therein lies the secret of the success of the Cause welove so well. Therein lies the hope, the salvation of mankind. Arelove so well. Therein lies the hope, the salvation of mankind. Are

we fully conscious of our responsibilities? Do we realize the we fully conscious of our responsibilities? Do we realize theurgency, the sacredness, the immensity, the glory of our task?urgency, the sacredness, the immensity, the glory of our task?

(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov,(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov,1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 681924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68--69)69)



Beloved Guardian·s EntreatyBeloved Guardian·s Entreaty

I entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, toI entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, to

redouble your efforts, to keep your vision clear,redouble your efforts, to keep your vision clear,

your hopes undimmed, your determinationyour hopes undimmed, your determinationunshaken, so that the power of God within usunshaken, so that the power of God within us

may fill the world with all its glory.may fill the world with all its glory.

(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24(Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24

Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68--69)69)

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