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TEN STEPS TO A MEANINGFUL STEWARDSHIP INTERVIEW “That every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him.” (D&C 104:12) “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.” (D&C 108:7) As a priesthood leader, stewardship interview gives you an opportunity to build your relationship with other leaders who works with you. It is an opportune time to follow-through on assignments, resolve concerns, establish goals, and express appreciation. If you do this, you will find church work being accomplished more efficiently. As a leader, you won’t feel the burden of having to do everything. Instead you will feel exhilarated and members feel inspired by your leadership. The stewardship interview is truly one key to keep one motivated to perform one’s calling.

The actual conversations in the interview changes but the basic elements of the interview remain the same. 1. Set an appointment that’s mutually agreeable between you and the person. “Bro. Cruz, I would like to meet with you Wednesday night. Would 7:00 p.m. be good for you?” Sometimes what works is to just meet with the brother or sister on a Sunday while s/he is in church. Even five or ten minutes of talk would be helpful. 2. Inform the person about the nature of the interview. “I would like to discuss with you your assignment as a home teacher. I would appreciate if you can prepare whatever information you have about the families who have been assigned to you. I’m sure we will also have time to talk about your personal and spiritual welfare. Hope to see you then.” “Let’s meet to talk about yourself, your family, and your calling as Ward clerk. See you this afternoon.” “It’s time for our stewardship interview again. Remember, we discussed this when you were extended the call. I would like us to meet and discuss the current situation of the stake Relief Society organization. I would like to know the current status of visiting teaching in the stake. I am looking forward to see you.”

Stewardship Interview

“Let’s discuss the forthcoming National Family week. Then we will also talk about you and your family.” You may also opt to incorporate step 1 and 2. You meet the person in the hall way and extend the invitation. “Sis. Origenes, I would like to meet with you for five minutes to talk about the families you visit teach. May I see you after Relief Society class?” or “Shall we do it right now in my office?” 3. Prepare venue to make it conducive for the interview. If you don’t have an office, choose a room in the meetinghouse which you can use as the interview room. Make sure there is proper lighting and ventilation. Clean it up so it’s free from any litter. Remove all other items that can distract. Arrange two chairs across each other and a teaching table beside you if you need to write anything. The sisters may even have flowers to further enhance the ambience. 4. Welcome the interviewee with a warm handshake and a smile. “Sister Arreola, it is so good to see you.” Look at the person in the eye, extend a firm handshake (not too tight or it will hurt or too loose) and then flash a smile. It will help the person feel at ease. Your warmth will set the tone of the meeting. Your interviewee will respond positively and the interview will become a wonderful experience for both of you. 5. Sit across each other, if possible, without any physical barriers. Show the interviewee his/her chair. Once s/he is seated, you may now sit as well. If you are the bishop and you are using your office, I strongly recommend that you do not stay behind your table. Physical barriers can send the non-verbal message of detachment. You would like to be able to communicate freely. However, if it makes you feel uncomfortable, like a male interviewing a sister, the table is probably appropriate. 6. Start with a prayer preferably to be given by the interviewee. “I’m just so glad you could make it. Let’s start with a word of prayer. Sis. Ramos, would you like to give the opening prayer?” The reason for this is you might like to be the voice in the prayer when the interview closes. 7. Discuss the person’s temporal and spiritual welfare in detail. “So how are you doing?” “How is your health” “How is your work in the factory?” “What is your work schedule like?” “What challenges do you face financially?” As the person speaks you will be able to know more about him/her giving you a better idea as to his/her circumstances. Being able to obtain more information about the person will give you, as a leader, a sense of his/her struggles so you can offer help. Or you can sense what his/her likes, dislikes, temperament, strengths and weaknesses, availability, so you can determine how to be able to utilize his/her talents to the fullest. We start our interview with the person’s personal welfare because s/he is the most important person in the interview. Inasmuch as we want to receive a report about his/her callings, it is really secondary. The primary objective is to strengthen the interviewee. “Thank you, Bro. Lim for the information about yourself. Now, let us discuss your spiritual welfare.” At this point questions about spiritual welfare might include: “Do you say your personal prayers daily?” “Are you able to hold a fast monthly?” “Do you read the scriptures daily?” “How has your testimony grown this

Stewardship Interview

past month?” “How is your relationship with your wife (husband) and children?” “Are you able to hold family home evening, family prayer, and family council?” Now be careful not to enter the domain of a worthiness interview unless you are the bishop. Worthiness interview questions such as: “Are you morally clean?” “Do you pay a full-tithe?” are some examples. If some serious issues that require confession surface during the interview, it should be referred to the bishop at once. As the interview progresses, you will be able to discern the kind of help the interviewee needs. Seek the Spirit to help you say the words that will be most useful. 8. The interviewee reports on current assignments. “I am so glad to know you are doing well in almost all aspects of your life. Perhaps we can now move on to discuss the families who have been assigned for you to home teach. Where do you like us to start?” “It’s good to know that you finally found a new job. I am sure Sis. Fajardo is very happy with that. Well, as I said we are going to discuss your calling as a Ward clerk. Maybe we can start our discussion with this month’s member progress report. How is that coming along?” From his/her temporal and spiritual welfare you transition to discuss about current assignments. The person who has received the assignment is also responsible for seeking solutions or recommendations. “So Bro. Ramos does not have a job and have been unemployed for two months now. What have you done so far as his home teacher?” or “What do you recommend that we do in this case?” “You are saying that our magazine subscription is low with only 15 out of 60 active families subscribing. What do you suggest we do to increase the subscription?” “I also noticed that your counselor has not been attending church lately. Have you found out the reasons why? What do you think we need to do to help her come back?” This is an important element to emphasize - that the interviewee is the person closest to the problem. Therefore, s/he is uniquely qualified to offer possible solutions. Leader must seek out these ideas. Resist the temptation to immediately offer advice. Take note of action items, write it down, and follow-through. “So you are saying that Sis. Ramos need some help at home since her husband is sick. I will inform the Relief Society president at once.” “He has some concerns only the bishop should hear, is that right? Okay, I will talk to the bishop to make the visit tomorrow if possible.” “You want to recommend a new stake Young Women president. I’m available this Tuesday evening. I will note this interview in my calendar if you can have her come at 6:00 p.m.” Gently push the interviewee to take action if you perceive inaction. “I really feel that this is the time to challenge Bro. Lagrimas to stop smoking. Would you please do that on your next home teaching visit?”

Stewardship Interview

“I feel constrained to counsel you to talk to your counselor at once before this problem worsens. Since he has taken offense, please go and visit him and resolve the misunderstanding. Could you do that?” Note pending items. “I will note that on our next interview you will let me know whether Bro. Ramos has found a job or not.” “So you will report back to me what the local health center has in terms of medicines.” Resolve any concerns. “Do you have any questions about anything that pertain to your calling right now?” “You told me that you don’t know how to conduct youth interviews. Let’s take a look what the handbook says about that. If you are in doubt, remember to refer to your handbook.” “I note that your weekly financial report has been late for two weeks now. What can we do about that?” “I need to have the convert baptism checklist by Thursday for the PEC meeting. Do you think you can do that?” Draw out information. “You have now been my counselor for the past six months, what has your calling taught you so far? Do you have any ideas how we can improve working together?” “You told me that you were looking forward to being called as ward family history consultant. You said this was an area where you have no experience whatsoever. What are some things you are learning from your new calling? Revisit the gospel culture. “As first counselor in the bishopric, please be reminded about our weekly bishopric meeting every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., PEC at 7:00 p.m., you oversee the teachers quorum, Sunday School and Primary. You also assist me in conducting youth interviews. I will appreciate your report on these assignments during the first Tuesday of the month. We have agreed that we will commit to do our jobs to the best of our abilities as part of the gospel culture and we will remain enthusiastic until we are released.” “Do you remember what we talked about the gospel culture and how it pertains to our church callings?” “I have noticed that you have not been able to attend our regular meetings with the PEC and ward council. You committed to attend these meetings. Would you like to let me know why?” Offer help. “If your home teaching companion is not available, please let me know. One of us in the elders quorum presidency would be more than glad to accompany you.” “I can meet with your presidency next week so we can finalize your preparation for the Primary Anniversary.” “My three girls and I can come to the chapel to help you decorate for the New Beginning fireside.” Teach whenever you can. “Well, Bro. Cruz, you need to understand that home teaching is not just something we do. As home teachers, we are being “sent” by the Lord. Now, that’s a powerful principle because it’s the Lord who is sending us to these families for a specific errand for him.” “Bishop, you are personally responsible for the priests in the ward. You are also president of the priests quorum. You can call two young priests to become your assistants.” “Tithing is not about money. Tithing is an expression of our faith. I challenge you to start paying your tithes.” Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”

Stewardship Interview

9. Summarize, express appreciation including special commendation if deserved, and bear your testimony. “Well, we have covered a lot of items tonight. Let me just review them. You committed to start family prayers this week. You also volunteered to refer Bro. Ramos to your boss. You will report that to me next week. I will inform the Relief Society president about Sister Ramos’ situation at home. Then you will challenge Bro. Lagrimas to stop smoking. Are all of these clear with you?” Wait for a response “Bishop Babida, I have really enjoyed this visit with you. We have discussed your recommended changes in the elders’ quorum. I will conduct the interview this Sunday. We also talked about encouraging your members to participate in temple activities. I am so grateful that you have accepted the challenge to go to the temple weekly. Whenever there is a new program we would like to start, we usually think of you. It is your receptive spirit and willingness to obey that has made you an effective bishop. We are honored to be associated with you.” “Since you have become our part-time custodian, the chapel has been very clean. The grass has been cut weekly. The restrooms are always clean and ready. Please keep up the good work. It means a lot.” Before you conclude and bear your testimony, you can invite the interviewee to share his/her testimony. “Would please share with me your feelings and testimony about the gospel?” Then conclude with your own. “I would like to testify to you that this truly God’s work. You and I are privileged to be part of the greatest work on earth. I know we shall be blessed for honoring our priesthood.”

10. The leader closes the meeting by inviting interviewee to kneel in prayer and the leader offers prayer specific to the needs and concerns of the interviewee.

“Shall we kneel together to pray? Is it okay with you if I offered the prayer?” “We thank thee for Bro. Go’s diligence in magnifying his priesthood calling. We are grateful for the support he receives from his family. We thank thee for his job that gives him the means to provide for his family. We are especially grateful for the support he has extended to his priesthood leaders.” “We pray to bless Bro. Go with good health and strength. Bless his wife and children and watch over them while he is away. Please soften the heart of his son to return to church activity. We ask thee to help him find a way to assist Bro. Ramos find a job. Give him the courage to challenge Bro. Lagrimas to stop smoking. Please sustain him as he performs his priesthood calling.”

Especially if you are the Bishop, you need to conduct more frequent interviews because you are at the frontline. So does the Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidents. In the next page I have included a list of the interviews prescribed in the handbook. The others are my suggestions. You might find yourself reluctant conducting the interviews. You might even feel it takes so much time. However, interviews need not be lengthy in order to be meaningful. I also know that if you don’t conduct these interviews you will find out that church work is taking too much more time than it should. The time you invest with your people this way will return to you a hundred times.

Stewardship Interview

Interviewer

Interviewee

Nature of Interview

Suggested Frequency

STAKE Stake President Stake President Stake President Stake President Stake President Stake President Stake Presidency Stake Presidency Stake Presidency Stake Presidency Stake Presidency Stake Presidency Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishopric Bishopric Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishopric Bishop Bishop Bishopric Bishopric High Priest Group Leader High Priest Group Leader Elders Quorum President Elders Quorum Presidency Elders Quorum Presidency Relief Society President Relief Society President Relief Society President Relief Society Presidency

Bishop Stewardship Interview Bishop Home teaching report Patriarch Stewardship Interview Stake Presidency Counselors Stewardship Interview Stake Executive Secretary Stewardship Interview Stake Clerk & Asst. Clerks Stewardship Interview Stake High Council Stewardship Interview Stake Auxiliary Presidents Stewardship Interview Stake Auxiliary Presidencies Stewardship Interview Bishop’s Counselors Stewardship Interview High Priest Group Leader Home teaching report Elders Quorum President Home teaching report WARD Bishopric Counselors Stewardship Interview Ward Executive Secretary Stewardship Interview Ward Clerk, Asst. Clerks Stewardship Interview High Priest Group Leader Home teaching report Elders Quorum President Home teaching report Relief Society President Stewardship Interview Ward Auxiliary Presidents Stewardship Interview Ward Auxiliary Presidencies Stewardship Interview Seminary & Institute Teacher Stewardship Interview Ward Mission Leader Stewardship Interview Prospective Elder Stewardship Interview All Members Visit YOUTH & SINGLE ADULTS Young Men & Young Women Youth Interview Priests & Laurels Youth Interview Young Men & Young Women Youth Interview Single Adults Single Adult Interview HIGH PRIEST, ELDERS & SISTERS All High Priests Visit & Personal Interview HP Assistants & Secretary Stewardship Interview EQP Counselors & Secretary Stewardship Interview All Elders, Prospective Elders Visit & Personal Interview Home Teachers Home teaching report RS Counselors & Secretary Stewardship Interview Compassionate Service Leader Stewardship Interview Visiting Teaching Supervisor Stewardship Interview Visiting Teachers Visiting teaching report

Monthly Monthly Once a year Twice a year Quarterly Quarterly Twice a year Twice a year Twice a year Twice a year Twice a year Twice a year Twice a year Quarterly Quarterly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Quarterly Quarterly Monthly Regularly At least once a year At least once a year At least twice a year At least once a year At least twice a year At least once a year Quarterly Quarterly At least once a year Monthly Quarterly Monthly Monthly Monthly

From my own personal experience, if there is one single activity that has enriched my relationship with my associates in the stake, it has been the stewardship interview. The same is true with my relationships with my ward counterparts. The stewardship interview when handled properly and conducted frequently, gives the leader the opportunity to express his love and appreciation, mutually clarifies expectations, set goals, and inspires members to do more. A recharged force is a working force. As a leader, the primary benefit to you is that the work is accomplished with the help of more people. Most importantly, it clears the air for any misunderstanding that often obstructs the work of the Lord. It’s truly a win-win situation. Don’t lead without it! Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”