It is incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the Spiritual Assembly

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:

“It is incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the Spiritual Assembly, and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul its bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered and well arranged...”

(Bahá’í Administration by Shoghi Effendi published by US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974 edition)

https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/BA/ba-13.html