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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Mormon Congregation Relies On All-Volunteer Clergy
Syracuse NY Post-Standard pg7 20Apr00 D1
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK -- The Post-Standard introduced a new feature
focusing on a different religious congregation each week, choosing to
focus on the LDS Church's Syracuse Ward during the first week. The
newspaper interviewed Bishop John P. Rutkowski, asking about the
Ward, its history and about Bishop Rutkowski himself.
Rutkowski has been bishop of the Syracuse Ward for more than six
years, presiding over a congregation with attendance of 200 each week
and including French, Spanish and Vietnamese speaking members. The
Ward was established in the 1950s, meeting first in the local YMCA
before building the current meetinghouse in the early 1960s.
Recently, according to Rutkowski, the Ward has participated with the
building of the new Palmyra New York Temple, dedicated on April 6th.
The bishop says that the greatest challenges facing the Church are
those that come from its growth and the lay clergy used. "No one is
paid for their service. It is all volunteer. We work together in
service so that many great effects on individuals and families can
come to pass," says Rutkowski.
Rutkowski also answered questions on the Church's beliefs. He cited 2
Nephi 25:26 as his favorite scripture, and told the Post-Standard
that the most difficult thing about being a bishop is "Counseling
those who struggle spiritually by the teachings of Christ. Watching
them not follow the example or teaching of Christ and still struggle."
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