The first and most important qualification of a Bahá'í
teacher is, indeed, unqualified loyalty and attachment to the Cause. Knowledge
is, of course, essential, but compared to devotion it is secondary in
importance.
What the Cause now requires is not so much a group of highly
cultured and intellectual people who can adequately present its Teachings, but
a number of devoted, sincere and loyal supporters who, in utter disregard of
their own weaknesses and limitations, and with hearts afire with the love of
God, forsake their all for the sake of spreading and establishing His Faith.
...
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 14 November 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to the National Teaching Committee of the United States and Canada, published
in Bahá'í News, No. 102, August 1936)
