collage: bishopric council meeting; women talking; men talking

General Conference Leadership Meeting—October 2024

Ministering Interviews

Instruction from Elder D. Todd Christofferson and President Camille N. Johnson

Ministering interviews are the inspired scaffolding that supports our efforts to minister as the Savior would.

Ministering brothers and sisters “watch over” Church members and are “with and strengthen them.” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:42, 53). Ministering is a part of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. The commission of ministering brothers and sisters includes helping assigned individuals and families engage in the work of salvation and exaltation: living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting others to receive the gospel, and uniting families for eternity (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , 1.2).

The elders quorum president and his counselors interview ministering brothers and the Relief Society president and her counselors interview ministering sisters at least once each quarter. “Preferably, interviews are held in person and with both members of the companionship. Youth with ministering assignments should be included if possible” (General Handbook, 21.3). Interviews need not be lengthy but need to be in a private setting where the leader and ministering companions can invite the Spirit as they “counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned individuals and families” (General Handbook, 21.3).

Done right, the ministering interview lightens the leaders’ load.

• The key to developing effective ministering brothers and sisters who will serve and lift others is a loving, Spirt-filled ministering interview.

• In ministering interviews, leaders learn about members’ needs and challenges as well as their strengths and skills, allowing them to match resources with needs.

A crucial purpose of the ministering interview is to consider how the elders quorum, Relief Society, ward council, and others might help address needs.

• Ministering interviews are a primary source of content for presidency meetings and for a ward council.

• When the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies meet together—something that happens at least quarterly—they counsel together about what they have learned from ministering interviews, how they can respond, and what they might carry forward for consideration by the bishop and ward council.

The ministering interview is a perfect opportunity for leaders to minister to ministering brothers and sisters.

• Consider beginning the interview with questions about how the ministering sister or brother is doing, rather than asking “Did you get your ministering done?”

• “Show love and appreciation. Teach and encourage them. Help them grow in their capacity to receive and act upon revelation in their service.” (General Handbook, 21.3). As you do, ministering brothers and sisters will be more inclined to minister in the Savior’s way.

• Ask questions that reinforce desired behavior such as “What promptings have you felt as you’ve prayed for Sister Jones and her children?”

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