Steven Curtis Chapman collected two trophies during the 40th Annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, capping an emotional year for the most decorated singer and songwriter in Christian music.

Chapman, who was named Songwriter of the Year as well as Artist of the Year for the seventh time, has collected five GRAMMY Awards and 56 Doves in his two-decade career. His 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in May 2008 when she was accidentally hit by a vehicle driven by her older brother in the driveway of the family’s home in Nashville.

Despite efforts to attract attendees by lowering registration rates and offering seminars on financial management to address an unstable music environment, attendance was significantly down at this year’s Gospel Music Association (GMA) Music Week. But the annual gathering was “very beneficial” for retailers and music professionals, GMA officials said.

Held April 18-22 and culminating with the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville, the five-day festival—part industry convention, part celebration of Christian music—had a 30% decrease in turnout from 2008, although the event still attracted more than 2,000 people.

CBA COO Dorothy Gore has been let go as part of a restructuring intended to “reset” the retail trade association for the future.

The elimination of Gore’s position, along with the departure of Director of Finance Becky Kennedy, was announced last month by CBA President and CEO Bill Anderson. Other than Anderson, Gore was the longest-serving member of staff at CBA. She joined the organization in 1981 as assistant to Anderson in his then-role as convention manager.

With the economy continuing in a tailspin, a growing number of Christians retailers are stepping up their efforts on the Internet to generate sales.

Embracing the cyberspace commerce that has been partly blamed for the demise of many mom-and-pop bookstores, some brick-and-mortar stores have converted to an online presence in order to stay in business.

The Christian products industry needs a theological renewal if it is to play its part in ensuring the health of the evangelical church in the coming years.

That’s the concern of CBA President Bill Anderson, who said that such a change “can only come as we as publishers and record companies and gift manufacturers and retailers give prominence and promotion to that which is sound and solid, refusing to capitulate to the pressure to promote what will sell.

“Let’s be biblically accurate and culturally relevant—without compromise.”

Chuck Wallington, owner of one of the Christian retail industry’s beacon independent stores, has told how help and encouragement from colleagues and competitors has enabled his business to claw its way back from near-financial ruin.

Wallington was shocked last August to find that Christian Supply in Spartanburg, S.C.—founded by his father 55 years ago—was missing almost $1 million, allegedly embezzled by a long-time employee. The woman was indicted on three federal accounts of bank fraud, last month.

With the economy and consumer discretionary spending continuing to decline, used books departments are on the rise in Christian stores as retailers seek ways to generate sales and increase foot traffic.

They say selling secondhand titles makes sense as customers alter their book-buying habits during the recession.

Publishers, retailers and distributors are cutting back for CBA’s annual summer show in light of the tough economy.

The International Christian Retail Show (ICRS)—marking its 60th anniversary in Denver, July 12-15—could also be hit by publishers’ investment in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) inaugural, consumer-oriented Christian Book Expo (CBE)—which produced a disappointing turnout in Dallas in March.

Citing the economic slowdown, Christian publishers are skipping or scaling back on their presence at the U.S. book world’s biggest event this month.

At press time, 140 religious publishing companies were confirmed for Book Expo America (BEA), which will take place in New York City, May 28-31.

Steven Rosato, director of strategic accounts, sales and industry development for BEA, told Christian Retailing that 50 religious publishers exhibited at last year’s event.