Tracking Temple Recommend, Youth, and Ministering Interviews
Interview tracking is dates and labels — never content. A bishop or counselor should know at a glance who is overdue for a temple recommend, which youth haven't been interviewed this quarter, and which ministering companionships still need their visit. The conversation itself stays private; only the cadence is shared.
Why dates and labels, not content
Interview content belongs in the bishop's private memory, not in a shared system. Anything written down about a worthiness conversation, a confession, or a member's struggles can be inadvertently exposed. The right granularity for a shared tool is the cadence: who, what category, when last, when next.
The categories that actually matter
A handful of interview cycles cover most of what a bishopric tracks. Naming them clearly avoids the temptation to invent new categories that nobody else understands:
- Temple recommend — typically every two years for adults.
- Youth interviews — periodically through the year for young men and young women.
- New member interviews — in the weeks following baptism or move-in.
- Returning missionary interview — within weeks of homecoming.
- Ministering interview — quarterly with each companionship.
Computed status, not manual status
The bishopric should not be updating a 'status' column by hand. Status is a function of the last interview date and the cadence — overdue, due soon, current. A computed status means the list is always right, and the bishopric is always working from a true picture instead of last month's snapshot.
Sharing the load across the bishopric
Many interviews can be conducted by a counselor — particularly youth interviews and ministering interviews. A shared interview list with computed status lets the counselors see what's coming due and take initiative without waiting for the bishop to assign.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a bishop interview the youth?
Stake direction varies, but a common pattern is at least twice a year per youth, with additional interviews around significant milestones (priesthood advancements, Young Women class progression, returning home from camps and youth conferences).
Can a counselor conduct a temple recommend interview?
First-time and member temple recommend interviews can be conducted by counselors in the bishopric or stake presidency depending on stake direction. Some interviews must be conducted by the bishop himself; consult the most recent Church Handbook guidance.
Should ministering interviews be tracked the same way as temple recommends?
Yes — same data shape, different cadence. A quarterly ministering interview cycle, with computed 'due soon' and 'overdue' status, lets the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies see at a glance who still needs a visit.
What about new member interviews?
New member interviews typically happen within a week or two of baptism and again periodically through the first year. Tracking the date keeps these from slipping through the cracks during busy seasons.