Thoughts on this..?

[bmy-]

Deep in the belt.. Alabama. Almost all baptist/catholic area.

Well our missionaries have recently been told they can no longer eat/teach at members houses on sundays. Instead they're to spend their time visiting other churches service. They must wear their name tags and are to place themselves towards the back near the door (so everyone will see them).

When I asked them why I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'. In my opinion it's disrespectful to say the least. If it was really about learning.. they wouldn't be wearing name tags and drawing attention to themselves.

That's just my two cents.. I hope this is short lived.

[WANDERER]

Hoping the church goers have a good sense of humour...and that things don't get too heated.

[unixknight]

The problem is that people could very easily interpret this as a deliberate effort to insult, and I wouldn't blame them. This is NOT going to open people's minds and hearts to the missionaries, and the damage done to the church's image will last a LONG time.

In fact, given the area and its reputation, it's not out of the question to imagine violence ensuing.

(No offense intended to any Alabama forum members here.)

[Heavenguard]

This actually happened a few months ago at my church (not in Alabama). A pair of missionaries came to my church and at least they asked my pastor if it would be alright to come and sit in the back of our service. My pastor is not one to turn away anyone, but he did ask that they take off the name tags and not introduce themselves as Elders. They didn't like having to do so, but they obliged, and everyone was happy.

The reason for name tag removal/not introducing themselves as Elders was simply to not confuse the people i(mostly the newbies or visitors) n our congregation as to who they are (that is, not elders/representatives of our church). I think it's fine to sit in another church, I do that sometimes. But I agree that it must be done with a little grace and finesse.

[Gwen]

i'm in alabama, south of tuscaloosa. are you in the same mission district as me?

i haven't heard anything about it. i too would feel concerned for this program. for one i'm in a branch and the missionaries being there on sundays makes a huge difference, we need them.

what about concern for the missionaries. i've heard many guys say the mission is where they truely gained a testamony.....if they spend every sunday hearing others doctrines, or they inadvertantly find themselves in an anti meeting. that could seriously damage a lot of ym's testamonies if they didn't have a solid one before they left home.

sigh, i wonder what would happen if you called the mission pres to express your concerns. though i worry about how the other congregations might feel i'm more worried about the effect on the missionaries and our church units.

they recently institued a program here i'm not overly happy about, i'm just sitting back and watching for now.

[breeb]

I think its a really good idea for the missionaries to understand the different religions. I think it is important to have that understanding. It will help them so they dont misinterpret something and offend people. Look how offended we get when we are misunderstood. I dont know about the manner in which they are going about it though. I think about having missionaries at church with us from any other religion and I dont think Id be offended at all, but thats just me. I could see why others would think that.

[Bookmeister]

Let's see...I'm on my mission and I'm told I have to spend Sunday mornings in any other church but my own????? I don't think so.

Edited August 22, 2008 by Bookmeister
typo

[Hemidakota]

Deep in the belt.. Alabama. Almost all baptist/catholic area.

Well our missionaries have recently been told they can no longer eat/teach at members houses on sundays. Instead they're to spend their time visiting other churches service. They must wear their name tags and are to place themselves towards the back near the door (so everyone will see them).

When I asked them why I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'. In my opinion it's disrespectful to say the least. If it was really about learning.. they wouldn't be wearing name tags and drawing attention to themselves.

That's just my two cents.. I hope this is short lived.

Which Mission District is this again?

[Truegrits]

LDS Missionaries give two years of their life to the Church. The purpose of their Missions is to spread the message of Jesus Christ. They cannot do that sitting in the back of other churches, unidentified and silent.

Are they missing Sacrament every Sunday?

[Truegrits]

AND...A Mission is not the time to explore/examine/learn of other religions. That can be done on ones own time...not during a Mission, which is Heavenly Fathers time...IMVSO.

[DigitalShadow]

I think it is a great idea for missionaries to visit other churches and get a better understanding of religions in the area, but I don't think they should introduce themselves as LDS or try to convert people at another church. That is incredibly rude. I seriously doubt people would be very happy if Catholics were instructed to come to an LDS Sacrament service and started trying to convince people they are worshipping a false prophet.

[bmy-]

Let;s see...I'm on my mission and I'm told I have to spend Sunday mornings in any other church but my own????? I don't think so.

Not sunday mornings.. they attend sacrament and possibly 2nd/3rd hour and leave for the other churches. It's the north alabama district.. not sure of the 'official name'.

Again.. just to reiterate.. i'm okay with them attending other church services as long as they take measures to not attract attention to themselves. I just see it as doing more harm than good the way they do it now.

Edited August 22, 2008 by bmy-

[Moksha]

I think visiting other Churches is good for the missionaries, but they need to leave their name tags home, and absolutely not practice any proselytizing or religious debate. Mormons need to engender good will and not stir up ill will. No need to make this a gaffe that some future Mission President will have to lament.

Bmy, why not print this thread out and give it to your Mission President?

[Truegrits]

Not sunday mornings.. they attend sacrament and possibly 2nd/3rd hour and leave for the other churches.

Good...they are not missing Sacrament.

I think knowing about other Religions is a good thing. It would make one much more knowledgeable/prepared to answer questions. It gives you a better understanding of differing beliefs.

[candyprpl]

:confused:I've read all the posts and I still don't see the point in having the missionaries visit other church services. Maybe I'm just not understanding.

It's not a good way to find someone who may be interested.

It's not a good way to find out what another church believes. Go to the Pastor's house and ask questions -- if that is important.

(When I was a member of a Baptist church) It wouldn't have bothered me, but I would definitely thought it strange. But I could see other members being highly inflamed having "those Mormons" in their services. Which, in my opinion, would only cause more bad feelings toward the LDS.

Again -- maybe I don't understand the Mission President's thoughts on this.

[lilered]

Deep in the belt.. Alabama. Almost all baptist/catholic area.

Well our missionaries have recently been told they can no longer eat/teach at members houses on sundays. Instead they're to spend their time visiting other churches service. They must wear their name tags and are to place themselves towards the back near the door (so everyone will see them).

When I asked them why I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'. In my opinion it's disrespectful to say the least. If it was really about learning.. they wouldn't be wearing name tags and drawing attention to themselves.That's just my two cents.. I hope this is short lived.

My thoughts on this one are:

My Dad used to have a saying that covers this pretty well: "Make sure you know what direction the horse will head, before you spur him."

While the M.P. may have good intentions, I am relatively sure the outcome will not produce all positive results especially considering the requirement for wearing name tags.

The opportunity for Satan here to work some mischief seems to me to be of concern.

[Moksha]

It's not a good way to find out what another church believes. Go to the Pastor's house and ask questions -- if that is important.

I have to disagree on this one. I have found that seeing the services of other, first hand, to be an excellent way to better understand that faith tradition. This learning experience could be immensely rewarding to the missionary who approaches it with a willing ear and charitable heart.

[prisonchaplain]

Deep in the belt.. Alabama. Almost all baptist/catholic area.

Well our missionaries have recently been told they can no longer eat/teach at members houses on sundays. Instead they're to spend their time visiting other churches service. They must wear their name tags and are to place themselves towards the back near the door (so everyone will see them).

When I asked them why I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'. In my opinion it's disrespectful to say the least. If it was really about learning.. they wouldn't be wearing name tags and drawing attention to themselves.

That's just my two cents.. I hope this is short lived.

I can't speak for the Catholics, but most Baptists would be chomping at the bit to witness to "those poor kids," and save them from the flames of hell. I've seen LDS missionaries a couple of times in my church, and they were in uniform. They usually left before the service was over, though. Somebody said they were instructed not to stay more than an hour...

By the way, if I showed up at an LDS meeting house on Sunday morning, sporting my collar (see avatar), how would I be received?

Edited August 23, 2008 by prisonchaplain

[Truegrits]

pc, I would go right up to you, shake your hand, and welcome you...all with a sincere smile on my face. :)

[breeb]

pc, I would go right up to you, shake your hand, and welcome you...all with a sincere smile on my face. :)

I completely agree. There may be a few lingering looks but for the most part I dont think any one would act differently and you definatley would have many coming up to welcome you. I think most of us would be to busy with all our kids to really notice you.

[bmy-]

I can't speak for the Catholics, but most Baptists would be chomping at the bit to witness to "those poor kids," and save them from the flames of hell. I've seen LDS missionaries a couple of times in my church, and they were in uniform. They usually left before the service was over, though. Somebody said they were instructed not to stay more than an hour...

By the way, if I showed up at an LDS meeting house on Sunday morning, sporting my collar (see avatar), how would I be received?

Catholic priests don't go door to door. You'd be welcomed i'm sure. Now if you stood at the back trying to draw attention to yourself..

I'll be printing this thread out and seeing if it can do some good in the world.

[delio32]

The only time on my mission in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia i went to other churches is when I was asked by members of the other churches. We did wear our badges and many if not all of the members of these churches came and greeted us.

If this is true "I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'" and he prayed and received inspiration about it, it came from God and from the leadership of these Missionaries. They need to check themselves if they are questioning authority, it is not a democracy. Sure a he is only a person and can make mistakes but if he is truly praying about it and has nothing but the work of The Lord in mind then it is from God for these missionaries.

After reading all the posts, I can again say I never had negative comments from members of other religions in their services. I went to Revivals, Bible Study, Religious classes at universities, Pentecostal services, Baptist services and more all with my tag on. When on a mission you are a representative of the Lord, you don't take your tag off for any reason. Where in the Bible or Book of Mormon do Missionaries/Prophets sneak into somewhere to learn or perform covert operations? When does The Lord ask this of anyone?

This is my first post here and I'm sorry if I am a little fired up here. This is not a question of whether this is a good idea or not. This is a question of if you believe in the Priesthood and that your leaders have authority to give you instructions from The Lord.

[bmy-]

The only time on my mission in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia i went to other churches is when I was asked by members of the other churches. We did wear our badges and many if not all of the members of these churches came and greeted us.

When you were asked. You weren't out actively proselytizing during someone elses service and 'holy time'.

If this is true "I was told that our mission president thinks it's a 'good oppurtunity' to 'spread the gospel'" and he prayed and received inspiration about it, it came from God and from the leadership of these Missionaries. They need to check themselves if they are questioning authority, it is not a democracy. Sure a he is only a person and can make mistakes but if he is truly praying about it and has nothing but the work of The Lord in mind then it is from God for these missionaries.

If being the key word here. It's not the missionaries questioning authority.. it's myself. I don't even consider it questioning authority really -- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The damage done could outweigh any good that comes out of this.

I've thought about this while I pray.. I still think it's a bad idea. It seems most people agree. (Both on here and in my life..)

After reading all the posts, I can again say I never had negative comments from members of other religions in their services. I went to Revivals, Bible Study, Religious classes at universities, Pentecostal services, Baptist services and more all with my tag on. When on a mission you are a representative of the Lord, you don't take your tag off for any reason. Where in the Bible or Book of Mormon do Missionaries/Prophets sneak into somewhere to learn or perform covert operations? When does The Lord ask this of anyone?

"19 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.

20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the aservant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury.

21 And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins."

(1 Nephi 4: 19-21)

I can think of an example or two in the Bible also. I'm drawing a blank on where they are though. The larger point is that they shouldn't be actively proselytizing while someone else is taking time to worship. It's disrespectful in the least. It's like anti-mormons outside of temples.. offensive. The phrase you hear all the time is "don't they have something better to do?".

It might be just me.. but I don't want that phrase applied to the representatives of the Lord.

This is my first post here and I'm sorry if I am a little fired up here. This is not a question of whether this is a good idea or not. This is a question of if you believe in the Priesthood and that your leaders have authority to give you instructions from The Lord.

I believe that he is as human as you or I. He's prone to making mistakes and to fixing mistakes also. God sends delusions occasionally -- we learn from them. I won't be upset if i'm wrong... and either i'm wrong or the mission president is.

Either way the outcome is positive.. I should at least try to intervene. Either i'm wrong and I learn something.. or the MP is wrong and nobody is angered.

[prisonchaplain]

As FYI, I'm not Catholic. Other church clergy use the collar, though, frankly, it's not common in my own church. I use it because, at a jail, it's a quick way to let the inmates know that I am a chaplain, and not a psychologist, caseworker, etc. And, out of respect for my own church, I don't wear the collar on Sundays. Nothing wrong with it...but it's out of the ordinary, and would draw unnecessary attention.

IMHO, missionaries can go to churches wearing their tags. I doubt that whatever was going on the original post, that the mission president was sending them out tracting, or engaging in open evangelism in those churches.

[delio32]

Well I see you have your thoughts on this but I personally wouldn't tell missionaries to disregard what their president asked them to do. Obviously the mission president feels the missionaries are spending to much time at members houses on Sunday's. When i was in the "belt" we couldn't eat at a members house unless they had someone to teach. We didn't go hungry, food was brought to our place.

I just don't see anything wrong with missionaries at other churches. The Spirit is there, they may actually learn some things about how others feel about the Lord. I do know I was never afraid of the people that attended other churches regularly, it was the people that belonged to a church but didn't bother to go and learn what the Lord taught in the Bible.