IPG Demystified

IPG Demystified As currently conceived, an intensive programme of growth is straightforward, simple and effective, but implies a level of exertion that tests the resolve of the friends. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

A Series of Worldwide Enterprises The Five Year Plan that follows (2001-2006) will initiate a series of worldwide enterprises that will carry the Bahá'í community through the final twenty years (2001-2021) in the first century of the Faith's Formative Age. These global Plans will continue to focus on advancing the process of entry by troops and on its systematic acceleration. (The Universal House of Justice, 1999 Nov 26)

Let There Be No Doubt Let there be no doubt that what we are witnessing is the gathering momentum of that process of the entry of humanity into the Cause by troops, foreshadowed by Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet to the King of Persia, eagerly anticipated by the Master, and described by the Guardian as the necessary prelude to mass conversion. (The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)

The Blessed Beauty Erelong shall the snow-white hand of God rend an opening through the darkness of this night and unlock a mighty portal unto His City. On that Day shall the people enter therein by troops… (Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 134)

The Master … the people will enter into the religion of God by troops with great enthusiasm and attraction… (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 680) I beg of God to strengthen these spiritual bonds as day followeth day, and make this mystic oneness to shine ever more brightly, until at last all shall be as troops marshalled together beneath the banner of the Covenant … (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 19)

The Guardian Such a steady flow of reinforcements is absolutely vital and is of extreme urgency… This flow, moreover, will presage and hasten the advent of the day which, as prophesied by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, will witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá'í world -- a day which, viewed in its proper perspective, will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races…will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith… (Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 117)

A Historical Perspective Intensive Programme of Teaching It is the privilege of the Burmese friends to re-adjust and stimulate their own activities, lay down their own programme for an intensive and systematic campaign of Teaching , and, with an unshakable resolve, arise to carry it to a successful conclusion. (Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 7 February 1925, Messages to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 14)

Intensive Programmes of Growth (IPG) First Mention: The Purpose The friends who participate in these intensive programmes of growth should bear in mind that the purpose is to ensure that the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh reaches the masses of humanity and enables them to achieve spiritual and material progress through the application of the Teachings…They cannot withhold whatever effort, whatever sacrifice, may be called for. (The Universal House of Justice, 2001 Jan 09, Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors)

Intensity of Effort In the vanguard of the process are those clusters which, although still relatively few in number, are now ready to launch intensive programmes of growth . The scale of expansion that is to mark the next stage of growth in these clusters calls for an intensity of effort yet to be achieved. May the prodigious output of energy devoted to this mighty undertaking be reinforced by the power of Divine assistance. (The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Jan 17)

Advancing Entry by Troops Specifically, the House of Justice explained that realizing the aim of advancing the process of entry by troops “will depend on the rapid increase in the number of teachers of the Cause.” (ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)

Paramount Duty of every Baha’i Yet, as we know, our obligation to teach the Cause is not dependent on what cluster we live in or how many courses we have studied . “God hath prescribed unto every one,” Bahá'u'lláh wrote, “the duty of teaching His Cause.” (ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)

Become a More Effective Teacher In all cases, what is required is wholehearted commitment to learning how to become a more effective teacher so that we are prepared to fulfill this summons of the House of Justice: “ We especially appeal to our fellow Bahá'ís everywhere to mount a mightier effort than ever before in offering the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to increasing numbers of their compatriots, and in inviting them to investigate and embrace His Cause.” (ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)

Resurgence of Teaching To realize this objective, an understanding of the mechanics of the process -- the steps in the cycle of expansion and consolidation -- however essential, will not suffice. What is also required is a resurgence of teaching, of “inviting people of every sort and every gift to the banquet table of the Lord of Hosts.” (ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)

Constancy in Teaching As the House of Justice wrote when it laid before us the aim of advancing the process of entry by troops, “thousands upon thousands of believers will need to be aided to express the vitality of their faith through constancy in teaching the Cause.” (ITC, 2004 Nov 28, Intensive Programs of Growth)

The Way Forward is Clear Indeed, so consistent has been the experience with intensive programmes of growth , implemented on the basis of this understanding in divers clusters, that no cause for equivocation remains. The way forward is clear, and at Ridvan 2006 we will call upon the believers to steel their resolve and to proceed with the full force of their energies on the course that has been so decidedly set. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

IPG Defined As currently conceived, an intensive programme of growth is straightforward, simple and effective, but implies a level of exertion that tests the resolve of the friends. It consists of cycles of activity, in general of three months' duration each, which proceed according to distinct phases of expansion, consolidation, reflection and planning. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

Expansion Phase The expansion phase, often a period of two weeks, demands the highest level of intensity… Plans being devised for this phase invariably involve the implementation of carefully designed teaching projects and campaigns of home visits and firesides, often through the mobilization of teaching teams. The pattern of expansion that unfolds, however, varies from cluster to cluster. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

Consolidation Phase …the consolidation phase, which largely involves nurturing the interest of seekers and accompanying them in their spiritual search until they are confirmed in their faith. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

Cluster Reflection Meeting (Reflection & Planning Phases) Key to the progress of an intensive programme of growth is the phase dedicated to reflection, in which the lessons learned in action are articulated and incorporated into plans for the next cycle of activity. Its principal feature is the reflection meeting - as much a time of joyous celebration as it is of serious consultation.. Meetings of reflection will have to be held periodically in order to monitor progress, maintain unity of thought and mobilize the energies of the friends. (The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 Dec 2005)

Bend Your Energies The friends and their institutions were urged to study the message (27 Dec 2005) thoroughly, and its content is no doubt well familiar to you. We now call upon each and every one of you to bend your energies towards ensuring that the goal of establishing over the next five years intensive programmes of growth in no less than 1,500 clusters worldwide is successfully met. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 163, 2006)

Arise and Achieve Our End With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the knowledge of the gracious aid of Bahá'u'lláh and the repeated assurances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, let us first strive to live the life and then arise with one heart, one mind, one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our end. (Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68-69)

Raise the Cry Let us recall…the last wishes of our departed yet ever-watchful Master: "It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every land, pass by every clime, and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end, they must raise in every land the triumphal cry 'Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha!' (O Thou the Glory of Glories).... (Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68-69)

Arise to Teach His Cause Having grasped the significance of these words, having obtained a clear understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods to adopt, the course to pursue, and having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration -- the essential requisite of teaching -- let us arise to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor. Let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá'í. Let us make it the dominating passion of our life. (Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68-69)

Therein Lies the Hope If we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not far distant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from the inevitable obscurity of a young and struggling Faith into the broad daylight of universal recognition. This is our duty, our first obligation. Therein lies the secret of the success of the Cause we love so well. Therein lies the hope, the salvation of mankind. Are we fully conscious of our responsibilities? Do we realize the urgency, the sacredness, the immensity, the glory of our task? (Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68-69)

Beloved Guardian’s Entreaty I entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, to redouble your efforts, to keep your vision clear, your hopes undimmed, your determination unshaken, so that the power of God within us may fill the world with all its glory. (Shoghi Effendi, letter to the American Believers dated 24 Nov, 1924, Baha'i Administration, p. 68-69)

IPG Demystified

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IPG Demystified