Exit Interviews for Departing Ministers and Other Staff

October 14, 2025

Cropped photo of faceless multiethnic interviewer & interviewee

The ending of a ministry is an opportunity for reflection and learning. The exit interview practice enables congregational leaders, ministers, and regional staff to assess the ministry of both the congregation and the minister during their tenure.

The experience is both pastoral and educational. There is opportunity to share information, insights, and feelings about the ministry they shared together from their unique perspectives, and to look for patterns that might need to be addressed in the next ministry. Both lay leadership and minister are encouraged to share what worked well, what they wish had gone better, and/or what might have produced a different outcome.

In some cases, an interview with congregational staff may be appropriate.

The Exit Interview Process

A UUA regional staff member (or their designee) sets up and conducts the separate interviews and takes notes.
- The exit interview with the departing minister
- The exit interview with the lay leadership (usually the board of trustees, but sometime some other key lay leaders may also be invited)
A copy of the draft interview documents is shared with each of the interviewed parties for accuracy of was said and intended. Usually the board president reviews the draft for the whole board.
The regional staff member also prepares a reflection report about the congregation with their observations and insights.
The final copies of the interviews and the staff report are kept by the UUA Transitions Team and Regional Staff. The interviews are shared only with:
- The departing minister
- The congregation’s president (or equivalent) who may share it with the current (and future) board. It should be kept in a confidential file.
- The incoming interim, transitional and/or settled minister

UUA Exit Interview Rules

Exit interviews will be conducted at the end of all settled ministries and all called second ministry positions.
Exit interviews may be requested at the end of an interim, developmental, and other contract ministries by the UUA Transitions Team (most likely in the case of negotiated endings), regional staff, or the congregation or minister.
The exit interviews will be completed within the 3 months before the planned ending date (ideally 6-8 weeks) of the ministry. If this is not possible, the regional staff will inform the UUA Transitions Team of the reasons for the delay.
The exit interviews are to be shared between the congregational leadership and departing minister, the regional UUA staff, and the UUA Transitions Team. They can also be shared with the following interim and settled minister upon request.
This is a change from previous policy where sharing was optional. It is no longer optional.
Exceptions to the above rules must be agreed to between the regional staff and the UUA Transitions Team.

Sample Congregational Transition Interview
From LeaderLab

This interview is a tool for reflection and increasing self-awareness of the congregation at the end of this ministry.
Sample Ministerial Exit Interview
From LeaderLab

This interview is a tool for reflection and increasing self-awareness of the minister and for providing another lens about the congregation being served at the end of this ministry.
Sample Regional Staff Reflection on Transition
From LeaderLab

Regional staff are asked to share information from their perspective that will help the congregation.
Exit Interview Practices for Other Ministerial Positions
From LeaderLab

Contract ministries can also benefit from reflection on the course of the ministry with the congregation using exit interviews.
Sample Exit Interview for Non-Ministerial Staff
From LeaderLab

The sharing of honest and constructive feedback about one’s experience as a staff member may be beneficial both for the staff and for the congregation.