From the original preface: This book grows out of the need to present a model of being the church which emphasizes covenant, commitment, and personal involvement with a small number of people. I have tried to offer the house church not just as an acceptable model of the church, but indeed as a good way of being the church, where Christians can emphasize the essentials of being the church--covenanting, worshiping, teaching, sharing, discipling, deciding, using spiritual gifts, serving, and growing.