Last night I was set apart as a Church Service Missionary (CSM) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many of my friends are not of my faith, but we share a love for truth and light and I hope that by sharing this blog, I can help my friends understand why I would volunteer my time and talents with no monetary compensation.
As a CSM, I will assist the church in filling the requirements of the many church departments. My work will be submitted as often as I have media to submit. This means I could submit daily, weekly or monthly depending on my ability to capture what is needed. I will dedicate about 20 hours a week to this calling. What's really great, is you don't have to be called as a missionary to contribute and it means that you can send in photos that are of good report any time you have them. To learn more about how you can contribute, click here.
The LDS church has an incredible media presence online and in print. We currently have 88,000 full time missionaries who proselyte the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are willing to listen. We focus on Christ, Family and Happiness. I cannot think of a better combination to make this life joyful. If you would like to have the missionaries visit you, click here.
As many of you know, I travel around the world quite a bit. This is not of my own choosing, but I married a world traveller who is my best friend my greatest support. This combination of support and travel will lead to some fun and interesting photos, like these from Barcelona Spain.
The most requested photos are those of families and individuals engaged in good, wholesome activities. Families playing together, spending time together, providing service or praying together...among many other needs. See a list of all the church photo/video needs here.
I invite you to follow my travels and adventures while I am a Church Service Missionary. There will be lots of stories and I will personally ask for assistance from each of you. I will issue a 'casting call' whereby you will volunteer yourself or your family for a photo shoot. Don't worry, it's fun and easy! All you need to do is fill out a Participant Release and then be yourself. I will be a fly on the wall taking pictures of you doing what you do.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to keep you informed and to get pictures of many of you for church publication and campaigns.
God Bless!
Shane
For More information about Church Service Missionaries, read these FAQ's
What are Church-service missionaries?
The purpose of the Church-Service Missionary Program is to provide opportunities for members to give their time to the Lord through work-related service missions. Church-service missionaries serve at least 8 hours per week. They normally serve for 6 to 24 months.
What are the qualifications to serve?
All Church-service missionaries must be worthy to hold a temple recommend and should have no minor children living at home. They must be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to fulfill the specific call and its related duties. Prospective missionaries must also provide their own transportation and financial support. Church-service missionaries are responsible for their own medical and dental needs, including eye-care and prescription-drug expenses.
How do members initiate a mission call?
Members become aware of Church-service missionary opportunities through a variety of sources, including priesthood leaders, this website, other members, or through local bulletins that are published in different areas around the Church. Information gained from any source should be confirmed through communication with the operation that is requesting missionaries or through local priesthood leaders.
Members should contact and discuss service opportunities with the contact listed in the posting. This allows potential missionaries and the operation manager to determine if there is a good fit. Members should prayerfully consider the assignment to determine if they should pursue the service opportunity.
If affirmed, members must complete a form entitled Recommendation for Part-Time Church-Service Missionary and give it to their bishop. This form may be printed from this website. Members should carefully complete each section of the recommendation form, including where they are going to serve, how many hours each week, when they are going to start, and how long of a mission they would like to serve.
What is the missionary calling process?
Upon receiving the completed recommendation forms, the bishop certifies the worthiness of the member and concurs with the selected choice for service. He then signs the form and forwards it to the stake president.
The stake president interviews the candidate for worthiness and signs the recommendation form and forwards it to the local Church-service missionary coordinator's office for review, for entry into the database, and for authorization to extend the call.
The coordinator advises the stake president by letter when the processing is complete, and the stake president extends the call to the member. The stake president authorizes the bishop to set the new missionary apart.
Church-service missionaries should then contact the operation where they will be serving. They are supervised and trained under the direction of the operation in which they serve. The stake president and bishop remain the ecclesiastical leaders for the member.
Where do I send the Recommendation for Church-Service Missionary Form?
After the form is completed, including the signatures of the bishop and stake president, where the form is to be sent depends on where you will be serving.
International Areas: Send to the appropriate area administrative office.
United States and Canada: Send to the CSM group coordinators for your stake. Your stake leaders can find this information in the Church Directory of Organizations and Leaders (CDOL).
Northern Utah (Payson to the Idaho border):
Send to Church headquarters:
FAX: 801-240-1726 or mail:
Church-Service Missionary Office
50 East North Temple Str Rm 262W
Salt Lake City UT 84150-0302
If you still need assistance, call the Church-Service Missionary Office at 801-240-4914, or e-mail csm-support@ldschurch.org.
How long do they serve?
The length of service may be determined by the needs of the position and the availability of the Church-service missionary. A missionary is generally called to serve from 6 to 24 months. Assignments may be extended if the availability of the missionary and the needs of the operation continue to exist, up to a maximum of 30 months. After a 30-month mission, a new recommendation form should then be submitted for another mission.
What about other Church callings?
Church-service missionaries are encouraged to serve in ward or stake callings at the discretion of their local leaders, as long as their additional duties do not interfere with Church-service missionary assignments.
How do I get started?
Review the service opportunities on this website or any other source available.
Feel free to visit, ask questions about, and evaluate one or more service opportunities through the listed contact name and phone number. This allows you and the operation manager to determine if the assignment is a good fit. Prayerfully consider the assignment to determine if it is consistent with your time, ability, and health.
Carefully complete the recommendation form, indicating your choice or choices of places to serve and the dates and times of service you desire.
Meet with your bishop so that you can give him your completed recommendation form and be interviewed for worthiness to serve.
Meet with your stake president for a worthiness interview to serve a Church-service mission.
