What Is the Difference between a Full-Time Mission and a Service Mission?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may serve as full-time missionaries, service missionaries, or volunteers. Full-time missionaries serve a minimum of 40 hours per week, service missionaries serve a minimum of 8 hours per week, and volunteers serve 7 hours or less per week.
Full-time and service missionaries must be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both types of missionaries work with their local ward bishop and stake president to be called as a missionary.
The main difference between the two types of missionaries is the time commitment and the location where the missionary serves. Full-time missionaries typically serve 40 or more hours per week and usually live away from home. Service missionaries live at home and serve 8 to 40 hours per week in their local area for 6 to 24 months.
Service missionaries who desire to serve with S&I are generally 26 years of age or older. Service missionaries do not need to be retired. Many service missionaries are also employed. Service missionary opportunities are available for couples, single sisters, and single brothers. If you are married, you do not have to serve with your spouse. Service missionary opportunities are ideal for married people whose spouses are still working or are otherwise unable to serve.
Still have questions about the differences between full-time missions and service missions? Fill out your contact information, and a missionary from Seminaries and Institutes of Religion will contact you to answer your questions!