Dennis Eldon Bills Knihy

Because of the first settlers' Scots-Irish heritage, Presbyterians could very well have predominated religion in the West Virginia. They were the first to settle the territory, the first to evangelize, and the first to set up churches. But something happened over the decades. In spite of an auspicious start, Presbyterianism eventually took a back seat to other denominations. Presbyterianism in West Virginia: A History reviews Presbyterianism's origins, successes, and struggles, and then explains what today's Presbyterians should know if they hope to restore their pride of place in the Great State of West Virginia.

"I am a Christian, but I don't go to church. I don't believe in organized religion." "I go to church most Sundays, but I never joined. Never saw any need for it. Membership is just a tool or tradition anyway." "I joined the church because . . .well, I don't know why. It's just what Christians are supposed to do, I guess." If statements like these are familiar, you know that strong arguments for church membership are not within reach of most pastors and laypersons. Building a Case for Church Membership finally puts a strong, bible-based case for church membership within the average person's hands through an easy-to-understand construction motif. Denominationally diverse reviewers describe it as "clear, accessible, charitable, biblical, theological, and pastoral," "practical, useful, and convincing," and "straightforward and sensible." Formerly published as A Church You Can See: Building a Case for Church Membership (2017), this new edition has been revised for Sunday Schools, new member classes, church small groups, and one-on-one discipleship. Discussion questions have been added and the text is now more interdenominationally accessible.