Purpose Statement
To provide leadership, resources and services to the Division for Outreach and Synods for the work of supporting and strengthening mission (evangelical outreach) in Small Town and Rural congregations.

Guiding Principles

1. The gospel is foundational to our work.

2. The church is holistic and interdependent.

3. Shared vision, planning and are essential to effective mission and ministry.

4. God is already at work in STaR congregations and communities.

5. Mission and ministry belong to all the baptized.

Contextual Understandings

1. Rural and small town churches have exciting and dynamic opportunities for mission.

2. God has blessed small town and rural congregations with many gifts. We are called to help people identify, celebrate, rediscover and reclaim those gifts.

3. Lay leadership must be developed, nurtured and empowered for effective ministry.

4. STaR ministry is about people, relationships and sense of purpose. Programs and resources are vehicles that may support theses.

5. STaR ministry is ecumenical.

6. Effective ministry in rural context evolves from listening and learning from the story of people and place.