The General Handbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explains that ward and branch elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies help ministering brothers and sisters learn how to minister to others. They also give inspiration, guidance and support. They can do this in ministering interviews.
These interviews are held at least once each quarter, preferably in person and with both members of the companionship. But they do not need to be long to be effective, explained the handbook.
The purpose is to:
- Counsel about the strengths, needs and challenges of assigned individuals and families.
- Discuss ways to help persons prepare to receive ordinances if needed.
- Consider how the elders quorum, Relief Society, ward council and others might help.
- Minister to ministering brothers and sisters. Show love and appreciation. Teach and encourage them. Help them grow in their capacity to receive and act upon revelation in their service.
In a series of posts on the Relief Society Worldwide social media accounts, members of the Relief Society general advisory council spoke about preparing for, helping with and the purpose of ministering interviews.
Ministering interviews show love
Sister Sharlene Miner said ministering interviews are important because “you can show the sisters your love. You can also help them feel the love of Jesus Christ through you.”
Ministering interviews allow the presidency to learn about each woman, her family and their needs. “During a ministering interview, you will also feel the love that Jesus Christ has for His sisters.”
In this way, Sister Eme Martin said, the presidency can minister to the ministers — “to help a sister feel that they are known, and to meet them where they are at in terms of their needs that they may have, to build authentic communication and connection so that they might fill up the cups of others as we fill up theirs.”
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Another purpose is to counsel together about how to help all women walk along the covenant path.
“Not only do we help draw them closer to heaven, but we also fill our covenant commitment as we walk with them side by side,” Sister Martin said.
Framework of ministering interviews
Ward Relief Society presidents may feel like they just finished their last round of ministering interviews before it’s time to start the process again in a new quarter, said Sister Hannah Miller. But the process is intended to simplify and organize the work of ministering.
First, she said, while it is the Relief Society president’s responsibility to conduct the interviews, it doesn’t just fall on her shoulders.
Second, “the Relief Society president and the elders quorum president should be meeting with the bishop quarterly after these interviews to make sure that members’ needs are appropriately met through ministering assignments.”
Third, the Relief Society president can recommend a ministering secretary be called to help organize these interviews. “Why not tap into some of the organizational talent that’s likely ready and waiting among your amazing sisters?”
When sitting down for a ministering interview, Sister Dana Earl said to have the list of ministering assignments in the ward on hand so that it isn’t necessary to ask “Who is it that you minister to?”
Second, have a notebook and a pen to take notes about anything that comes up to remember.
“I think getting to know our sisters in this ministering interview opportunity gives us a chance to serve in a higher and holier way,” Sister Earl said.
How to prepare for a ministering interview
Sister Andrea McConkie addressed the question “How can I best prepare for a ministering interview?”
When the announcement is made in her ward that ministering interviews are happening or when she specifically invited to meet with a member of the Relief Society presidency, she said it is a great reminder to her to reach out to her ministering sisters if she hasn’t talked to them or heard from them in a while.
“But I also try to think of them extra that week, pray for them and their families and really spend time focusing on understanding how the Spirit wants to tell me how I can help,” she said.
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She also reminds herself that ministering interviews are not to make anyone feel guilty for not doing more or what they think of as enough.
Every ministering interview she has had has left her “feeling loved and feeling seen” as the presidency member has also taken time to get to know her and what is going on in her life.
“So I think the best preparation is simply to say yes to the invitation, to go and to allow the Spirit to touch your heart as we participate in this higher and holier work of ministering,” Sister McConkie said.
More information about ministering is found in chapter 21 of the General Handbook and at ministering.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
During the October 2024 general conference leadership meeting, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson gave instruction for ministering interviews. Those details can be found here.