Leadership for Saints: Part 35

The All-Important Interview

by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

So we turn to interviewing.

As with all other subjects in this book, we esteem ourselves no better than anyone else (see Alma 1:26). The principles and practices we teach here we have learned from general authorities and other seasoned mentors. Interviewing is perhaps the most personal—and powerful—form of communication in a church setting. We would not be so presumptuous to claim exhaustive expertise on the subject, but we gladly share what we have learned.

For most leaders in the Church, interviewing is a more common form of communication than, say, giving a talk or making a presentation. We conduct interviews that involve advancement in the priesthood, extending calls to serve, extending release from duty, determining eligibility for temple blessings, reporting on stewardship performance, offering comfort and counsel, and a range of other matters. Some interviews, such as those for a temple recommend, are more “formal” in the sense that the questions are prescribed. Other interviews allow for much more latitude. In every instance, two things should prevail: (1) a spirit of love and (2) a spirit of caring.

Whether you’re a bishop interviewing a ward member or a parent interviewing one of your children, your first responsibility is to exhibit a genuine spirit of love. Interviews in the kingdom of God are all about love and ministering by the Spirit. Love for God. Love for the Savior. Love for the person. Love for the gospel. Love for the plan of salvation. Love for the work that we’re all asked to do, and letting God use us to minister one-on-one.

Everyone is a Volunteer

All the people who accept callings in the ward and stake are volunteers. All the children in your home are volunteers. All of us volunteered to come to earth to be tested. As interviewers, we represent Heavenly Father in doing His work. The people we interview are His precious children. They deserve our best. Each should be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. The people we interview don’t work for us. As leader/servants, we work for them.

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Unlike some interviews in secular settings, all interviews in the kingdom of God are about caring. A bishop’s interview is really a “conversation with a purpose.” A quorum leader’s interview is really a “conversation with a purpose.” A parent’s interview with a child is really a “conversation with a purpose.” In fact, the very best interviews don’t really feel like “interviews” at all. They feel like a comfortable visit with a trusted friend.

Here we will focus on the three most common interviews in the Church: the call to serve interview, the release from service interview and the stewardship reporting interview.

The Call to Serve Interview

The call to serve interview is done by stake presidency members, stake high counselors (when the stake president delegates the responsibility in certain instances), bishopric members, and, in the case of home teaching and visiting teaching, priesthood quorum and Relief Society leaders.

Many of us have heard stories about, or even experienced, the so-called “water fountain” interview. That’s when someone is approached in a meetinghouse hallway and asked to accept a calling or assignment. Such a method violates every principle of dignity and respect that should accompany a call to serve in the kingdom of God. When we extend a call to serve, we are representing the Lord. The interview, and everything that precedes and follows it, should be done with that reality in mind.

Here are a few things worth remembering when extending a call to serve:

Consider the person’s talents, gifts, qualifications and needs.

Not only is the work to be done an issue here, but so is the growth and development of the person receiving the calling. Prayerfully consider the “match” between the assignment and the person.

We’re impressed by the story of the selection of Mormon to care for the sacred plates. He said, “And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came to me (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people), and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe.” (see Mormon 1:2) And then Ammaron speaks of Mormon’s virtues and gives him a charge in terms of his talents and qualifications.

Does the person you’re calling have the talents and gifts needed to bless the lives of others? Does the person you’re calling have needs that can be filled by service in this capacity? To the extent possible, there should be a good “match,” and the person you’re calling should be aware that you recognize that match. This is further validation of the person as well as of the calling.

(Next time: We will consider additional important elements of the call to serve interview.)

Note: The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies, click here.

© by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar, All Rights Reserved

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