Responding to Seekers: Learnings Over Time
When a seeker receives a confirmation call/text/email within minutes or hours of their request they will likely feel encouraged, joyful, and appreciative. If this is delayed for days and weeks, there is usually a decrease in the results. Experience tells us generally that the sooner the response, the more likely the seeker will engage in core activities.
When a phone number is given, texting and calling are usually much more effective than email alon.
You can text, send an email, or call to introduce yourself before you know what you may invite the person to attend.
We never know how eager a person is to learn about the Faith. They may be ‘on fire’, or they may be just curious. The degree of interest does not matter so much as how we respond and offer to be of service with: friendship, sincerity, loving-kindness, our willingness to accompany and be helpful.
Open ended questions such as "What inspired you to request contact with Baha'is?" are very effective and practicing good listening is key.
Consider engaging whole families beyond just individuals. "many believers are discovering that a vibrant, expanding pattern of activity can naturally lead to families, groups of friends, and even clusters of households being ready to enter the Cause." 30 December 2021 message from the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors
In your first contact with the seeker, you can offer to meet. You can say that you are a volunteer who talks to people interested in the Baha’i Faith and serving their communities. Meeting for coffee at a local coffee shop or a restaurant is a welcome place for many folks. Working as a team is an option for safety and necessary if meeting with a person under 18. Use common sense and good judgment. Nothing takes the place of connecting hearts like an in-person meeting, when possible.
Offer to give an overview of the Baha’i Faith and be prepared to share themes from Anna’s Conversation in Ruhi Book 6.
Consider if there is someone in the area of the seeker who can tutor Book 1? Get this information before you see the seeker so you can offer it to them. Share what study circles are like and the purpose of the institute process, and invite the seeker to participate.
Have current information of activities going on locally in-persion and on-line.
It can take many times sending an email or text before seekers will respond back. About 50% of the time seekers do respond back.
If someone seems slow to engage, spacing the texts or emails and keeping the 2nd one and 3rd one really short are ideal. Invite to devotions or a fireside. How can you remember? Set up a Reminder so you get an email reminder on the date you choose, and/or set a reminder on your calendar/phone. Record your Interactions
Do not use jargon like, 'seekers, LSA, Assembly, ATC'.... Explain the administrative structure of the Faith if asked, and use the full names of the institutions.
If you are asking someone else to contact the seeker, ask them to let you know when they reach out. If you haven't heard back in a day or so, text/email/call for a friendly follow-up.
Remember to explain to the seeker how people become members and describe the process. Some seekers will ask about this, but offer it to those who don’t ask. "in spaces where the possibility of joining the community can be discussed openly and inclusively among those who share a sense of collective identity, souls can more easily feel emboldened to take this step together. " - 30 December 2021 message from the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors
Offer to seeker ways in the framework for action that they can be of service--immediately--for example hosting a devotional, teaching children spiritual education--and find someone to accompany them