A new wind is stirring in the land! A mere zephyr, but we expect it to become a hurricane which will alter the landscape of Christendom. The wind is the Spirit, who in our time is again doing new things. He is bringing renewal and transformation to the individual and corporate lives of His people, His church. The Fellowship of Church Planters has been swept up in this wind--a new house church movement. Just as the student volunteer movement early in this century and the later para-church movement enabled the Holy Spirit to do mighty things, we believe that the house church will make a similar impact.

The purpose of this handbook is to share with others whom the Spirit is leading to pursue this new avenue of church life. It is an abbreviated version of what we has been more thoroughly developed in A Manual for House Church Planting in Networks. The abbreviated form is for ones who desire to have a house church experience, but do not necessarity need, or desire, the more thorough treatment of methods developed by and for a church
planting team. It shares, in a very brief framework what we have been learning as we have established networks of House churches in Rhode Island and southern New England, for those who want to learn from our experiences and mistakes. It is not meant to be a
slick formula for planting house churches.

We have shared these experiences with people outside of New England and in other parts of the world. Each opportunity has enabled us to learn more, how to distill church planting
principles which may be transferrable to other cultures, as well as to learn things which apply to New England. Our goal is to enable you to enter into this experience.

We encourage to copy and adapt what you need for your group. We would appreciate your being in touch with us with new ideas as you learn. Our goal is not to have a polished book, but a usable handbook to stimulate and help those pursuing the Lord in through
the life found in house churches. Other training materials, and the more complete manual can be obtained by contacting us at the address on the title page. These materials will be referred to sometimes in the handbook at the appropriate points.

We acknowledge the grace of our Lord as he has led us, often kicking and biting, into house church planting. We also acknowledge the tremendous contributions by each member of the Fellowship of Church Planters. We are especially indebted to the
Fellowships of House Churches in R.I. who have so faithfully continued on the long and difficult road of church life and who have often dragged us on the team to new levels of house church experience.