2025 General Synod
Resolution
THE SMALL TOWN AND RURAL COALITION OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST REQUESTS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A FORMAL GROUP
A Prudential Resolution
Submitted by:
Illinois Conference Iowa Conference Kansas-Oklahoma Conference Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference Nebraska Conference Penn Central Conference Penn Northeast Conference South Dakota Conference
SUMMARY:
The Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition seeks to be recognized as a Self-Created Group according to the United Church of Christ By-Laws, Article VI., existing to be a supportive expression of the Living Christ, in relationship with one another and with the Body of Christ, in all its forms. As defined by the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ “the basic unit of organization and life within the United Church of Christ is the local church”1. Local churches may self-identify as a “small town and rural church,” meaning they are geographically separated from metropolitan and suburban communities. The STAR coalition serves to support STAR churches in various ministry functions. This action requires a Bylaws amendment at the Thirty-Fifth General Synod.
BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL, AND HISTORICAL GROUNDING:
The fundamental biblical grounding for the proposed recognition of the Small Town and Rural coalition is found in Christ’s farewell discourse in the Gospel according to John, “...that they may all be one.” John 17:21 (NRSV). This scripture has served as the basis for uniting Christians throughout the world.
Beginning in 2019, small town and rural church pastors have been seeking additional resource support from the national setting of the UCC. There was little response to that correspondence and request for resources.
After the virtual 2021 General Synod, a small group of individuals met to share experiences in small town and rural ministry. The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, Penn Northeast Conference Minister, identified that congregations from small towns and rural communities had much different needs than the congregations in her larger, urban congregations. Others in the group shared frustrations and concerns about resources available to these smaller congregations. For example, small churches rely heavily on lay members to lead ministries and perform administrative functions as opposed to paid staff.2 From those discussions, the Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition was developed.
The United Church of Christ is known for responding to the needs of the overlooked and marginalized.3 Because of this prophetic compassion, significant ministries developed that address the needs and presence of our often-overlooked siblings, neighbors, and communities.4 In the context of challenges Small Town and Rural churches face, we identify with Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, “The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” 1 Corinthians 3:8 (NLT). This means that we are called to become stronger and more supportive of these STAR ministries by building a stronger and larger network of covenants serving as the body of Christ across the breadth of the United Church of Christ.
Official recognition in the United Church of Christ bylaws will ensure that the needs of Small Town and Rural Churches are not ignored or sidetracked by staff restructuring, resources re-allocation, or shifts in the leadership of the national setting.
While STAR congregations can, and do, bind together and are strong and vital presences in their immediate and global communities, offering spiritual, missional, and relational sources of hope, reflecting the love and light of Jesus Christ, who spent most of his ministry reaching out to those who are tied to the land and community, the recognition and support of the national setting is necessary for external resourcing support to be developed and maintained. The covenant is not just with the churches, but between the churches as well.5,6 This means building and maintaining a covenantal and collaborative relationship with all United Church of Christ STAR churches through the existence and support of the STAR coalition.
The STAR Coalition seeks to live out its purpose of:
● Planting and maintaining a covenantal and communal relationship with all United Church of Christ STAR ministries. ● Growing and nurturing a covenantal and communal relationship with the United Church of Christ Council of Conference Ministers, officers of the Church, UCC Covenantal partners, UCC Board of Directors, and the Alliance of Associate Conference Ministers. ● Being a resource to share information and best practices to promote excellence in our various ministries. ● Being a collective voice of advocacy for concerns important to the role and work of STAR ministries as they relate to the life of the United Church of Christ.
In the past, the United Church of Christ was asked to be aware of the predicament of the small town and rural congregations, its members and pastors.7,8 Yet, that acknowledgement and the subsequent resourcing needs have not been developed. Individuals from congregations across the United Church of Christ have come together and met monthly sharing ideas and resources. We have intentionally discerned a call to unite for the intention of being a resource to share support, information and best practices to promote excellence in our various ministries.
TEXT OF THE MOTION;
Whereas, 64% of the churches in the United Church of Christ are located in small towns and rural areas.
Whereas, the vitality, relationality, and ecological aspects of our STAR congregations with their important presence within the body of the United Church of Christ, is as essential and important to the health of the entire Church as any other group of people (Ephesians 4:4).
Whereas, the United Church of Christ seriously holds the call to be an open and welcoming faith community, accepting into the church body and leadership all facets of expression found in God’s people, creating a rich diversity of expression, background, culture, sexual and gender identity and expression.9
Whereas, STAR congregations frequently find their needs and unique lived experiences underrepresented at the Conference and national levels.
Whereas, STAR congregations are not recognized as an essential majority of the churches within the United Church of Christ.
Whereas, official recognition of the STAR Coalition will provide needed relational, resource, and representational support for our Small Town and Rural Churches.10
Therefore, be it resolved that the Small Town and Rural Coalition be included in the United Church of Christ Bylaws, Article VI, Self-Determining Groups.
FUNDING: The funding for the implementation of the Resolution will be made in accordance with the overall mandates of the affected agencies and the funds available.
IMPLEMENTATION: The Officers of the Church, in consultation with appropriate ministries or other entities within the United Church of Christ, will determine the implementing body.
Endnotes
R.A. Shears (1990) A Covenant Polity. In D.L. Johnson and C. Hambrick-Stowe Theology and Identity: Traditions, Movements, and Polity in the United Church of Christ (pp. 67-78). Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press.
Danny Davis (2020) Rural Church Turnaround: Real Life Experiences of Rural Pastors and Lay-Leaders. Rapid City, South Dakota: CrossLink Publishing.
https://uccresolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/19-GS-20.pdf
https://uccresolutions.org/resolution-archive/renewing-the-covenant-with-the-rural-church/
Jane Fisler Hoffman (2008) Covenant : A Study for the United Church of Christ. Cleveland, Ohio: United Church Press.
Roberto Ochoa (2022) Where Our UCC Congregations Call Home: Rural, Town, Suburban, and Urban Congregations. UCC Statistical Profile 2022, Special Report, pp. 55-57.
Church Hall virtual meeting with UCC General Minister and President Rev Dr John Dorhauer, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2023 on the last day of a three day Virtual National Gathering of UCC Rural/Small Town Churches and Ministries, Feb. 9-11, 2023.
https://uccresolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/05-GS-52.pdf
https://uccresolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/01-GS-18.pdf