 At local , regional , and national levels , Bahá 'ís elect members to nine @-@ person Spiritual Assemblies , which run the affairs of the religion . There are also appointed individuals working at various levels , including locally and internationally , which perform the function of propagating the teachings and protecting the community . The latter do not serve as clergy , which the Bahá 'í Faith does not have . The Universal House of Justice , first elected in 1963 , remains the successor and supreme governing body of the Bahá 'í Faith , and its 9 members are elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies . Any male Bahá 'í , 21 years or older , is eligible to be elected to the Universal House of Justice ; all other positions are open to male and female Bahá 'ís . 
