negativity towards Sister Missionaries

[LDSVALLEY]

As a current Ward Mission Leader we have 4 missionaries in our Ward. Each month for 18 months I requested one set to be Sister Missionaries. Finally they gave in 8 months ago. One set are Elders the other Sisters. Now at the bottom of each monthly report I put in large font, all caps, bold letters and highlighted in Yellow to PLEASE LEAVE US THE SISTER MISSIONARIES.

Elders, like us men, usually try to solve problems instead of listening to them when Investigators explain things. Sisters, like women tend to listen and understand and comfort. Our Bishopric has said they would be happy with all Sister Missionaries! I believe a mix of both groups are the best solution especially if they are able to trade off in each others territory when it is needed.

If the Lord decides to send you to the Halifax Mission know that you will be very welcomed in Kentville Nova Scotia Ward. And I for one am hopping we still are having the blessings of Sister Missionaries in our Ward. (at least as long as I am still Ward Mission Leader.)

[gabelpa]

Sister missionaries do rock. Had a few companionships in my district. They got into homes we couldn't, and could teach people we weren't allowed to teach, i.e. single women,

Here's something else to think about... My companion in one area, the District Leader,developed a crush on one of the Sister Missionaries. It wasn't reciprocated,and he never contacted her after he went home, but I sure as heck teased him about it.

[john doe]

I had no problems with sister missionaries on my mission, and didn't know of any elders who did. I think they are just like the men, though. Some are there for the right reasons, some are there for the wrong reasons. It was my experience that the 'older' sister missionaries were usually there because they had nothing else at home to do. They had not gotten married for whatever reason, thought that the elders were immature, and weren't afraid to let the elders know of their disdain for us.

[prisonchaplain]

Just to offer a different angle, my church has female clergy. These days it runs 8-10%. However, in the early years (1910-40s or so), fully one-third of our ministers were women. And, the women went where the men would not. They took the smaller, more remote congregations, and were basically willing to go wherever God sent them. All that to say, women have proven themselves throughout gospel history to be faithful, fervent, and tender towards the heart of God. the natural order still seems to be for men to end up in positions of leadership, but when women to rise, the often outshine their male counterparts. Perhaps some of the negative reaction is jealousy and insecurity?

[Just_A_Guy]

This perticular elder said and I quote "Sister missionaries are just hungry husband hunters" That isn't the first negative comment I've heard but its one of the most irrating to say the least. What are your guys thoughts and oppionions on this especially those of you that have already served missions.

A currently serving missionary spoke ill of his fellow missionaries in public?

That elder is not serving with the Spirit of Christ. Ignore him.

[Maureen]

I have to agree with Rachelle. A woman who decides to serve a mission is giving up her "marriage" availability for at least 18 months. That Elder is not thinking straight.

[Tru2u4eternity]

He's a cool guy but that was an ignorant comment. The reason he said it is cause there is a girl in the mish who hits on all the elders. I talked to my bishop and he said its completely false. He was real supportive of me serving. I know I will be a good missionary. I've always it was for me.

[Islander]

Regardless of my actual calling in the church, I have always spent a lot of time with the missionaries. We had sisters at one time in the area but not for a number of years now. Loved the few sisters I had a chance to work with.

Elders are high school age boys. It takes a while for the mission to grow on them and for the spirit of clarity, humility and charity to infuse them. I would forgive him and forget the comment. Go serve your Heavenly Father with faith. Your life will never be the same and the blessings you will receive without end.

[Rico]

In our stake, we are the only ward with sister missionaries. We have lowest rate of members going along for lessons and the lowest rate of missionaries referrals. But guess what? We have the highest number of baptisms.

Because of the unique dynamics of our ward(transient area, some of the highest and lowest income people in the entire city, etc), sister missionaries are able to reach out and touch investigators in a special way. We've had some amazing sister missionaries come through our ward over the last year.

[RachelleDrew]

Thanks to Vort for the explanation. I wasn't sure what the elder in question was getting at and now I see what you mean.

I have experienced sister missionaries like this. In fact I was recently in a Wal-Mart in Iowa on a p-day. I saw a pair of sister missionaries (in p-day clothes, but with tags) squealing like drunken bar tramps over a couple of elders. It was obnoxious, and the elders were visibly embarrassed that the girls were coming on so strongly in public, and flirting in such a juvenile manner. Heck I was embarrassed.

However, this is a small majority that i've met. On that note, I don't see the point in flirting with elders when you are a sister missionary anyway.