A few questions/critiques:

- I really like the definitional answers on page 3 of what a congregation is and what a fellowship is. My question and one that I think could help this document and ease the transition for people reading it and discerning whether they want to engage in this process – what is a church? Perhaps that is defined in Chapter 7 of the BoO. If so, reprint here in the guide. If not, we need to answer that.

- Top of Page 6 – “Membership” My experience tells me that for most people this is not that important. Seems like this is important for the guide. Can a fellowship decide that they are not linking membership or they frankly do not care to keep people on the roles of the PCUSA? Seems to me it is more important to make sure people are cared for, whether that is in our denomination or not.

- The Discernment Process has the key points to hit. But does not seem to describe how to go about answering these questions. I think this is too bad. If a community has reached the point that they are looking to dissolve or evolve or whatever the right term is into either a house church or a fellowship, they likely do not have the leadership that can take those questions into a good process. Seems to me that should be addressed.

- On page 18 – “Transformational Strategies” – it says that this “change takes a lot of time, energy, and perseverance…” While correct, hard for me to put this as a negative. Seems to me that the Presbytery and the Denomination should be encouraging this of every church – even the most successful – and first, not as one of a series of other options for struggling congregations.

But, like I said, glad to see this being worked on. Others have thoughts?