Industry Radar for the week of March 31, 2010.

Faith and the environment: A new generation of evangelicals, including several authors, is "making a spirited effort to show that their religious beliefs and their environmental concerns are not only compatible but inextricably linked."

Christian Science Monitor

Kingsbury movie premiere: The 18th annual Merrimack Valley Christian Film Festival this year includes the premiere of "Like Dandelion Dust," based on the Karen Kingsbury novel.

The (North Andover, Mass.) Eagle-Tribune

CBA's new leader: CBA has announced it is moving from a president and CEO model to an executive director model and that Curtis Riskey has been appointed to the position.

Trade Show Week

Writers on the Sabbath: A number of Christian writers "are exploring practices that might honor Sunday as sacred time."

Slate

'Amish Grace' lessons: The authors of "Amish Grace," made into a TV movie, discuss their book and the lessons from "a community that valued forgiveness and reconciliation so highly."

The Washington Post

Bereaved family's book signing: The family of the late Billy Joe Daugherty held a signing for his last book, "360° Life: Ten Ways you Can Live More Richly, Deeply, Fully," at Mardel Christian and Education in Tulsa, Ok., where he was a minister.

KOTV

Debating who Jesus is: Author Brian McLaren is at the center of "something of a dust-up among evangelicals over core beliefs about who Jesus was and whether he is the only way to salvation."

NPR

Owner opens second store: Fran Cantwell, owner of a Christian bookstore in Johnstown, N.J., has opened a second location, in Newark, N.J., with the help of daughter-in-law, Amanda Cantwell.

The Newark Advocate

Annual writers conference: Speaker, writer, publicist and former Christian bookstore owner Twila Belk is director of the 7th annual Quad-City Christian Writers' Conference, set for April 9-10 in Eldridge, Iowa.

The Quad City Times

Long-time store owner dies: Manager and later owner of the former Gospel Bible Book Store in San Diego, Calif., for more than 40 years, Harlan Linscheid has died, aged 87.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

Hollywood and God: "X-men" and other film producer Ralph Winter: "I don’t think it’s any different in Hollywood to be a Christian than it is to be an investment banker on Wall Street... we all face the same struggles.”

The Herald Bulletin

'Extreme music' book releases: As "extreme Christian music" moves "from the dusty back bins of the Christian bookstores to the front racks at super retailers," a new book, "Metal Missionaries" looks at the bands that are combining faith with a fierce sound.

Blabbermouth.net

Artist unveils resurrection mural: Award-winning artist Ron DiCianni is offering a preview of his huge new mural of the resurrection—commissioned for the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas—at his studio in Temecula, Calif.

The Valley News

Industry Radar for the week of March 24, 2010.

'Donuts' premiere supports theater: The premiere of Christian movie, "Angels Love Donuts," will help support an historic theater and two student scholarship funds.

The Dallas Morning News

3-D Genesis movie planned: "In the Beginning," an "eye-popping" 3-D movie retelling of the world’s creation as depicted in the Bible, is to be directed by David Cunningham, son of Youth With A Mission founder Loren Cunningham.

New York Magazine

James Dobson' an entrepreneur': Author and broadcaster James Dobson "should also be known as a successful entrepreneur."

The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette

Parental forgiveness inspires book: A couple's forgiveness of their son's killer inspires a pastore to write a book about "Six Stages of Forgiving Others."

The Herald-Palladium

'Picture Bible' developer dies: Dr. C. Elvan Olmstead, who developed "The Picture Bible" during the early 1950s while working at David C. Cook, has died aged 95.

The (Elgin, Ill.) Courier-News

Drew Brees' Tyndale memoir: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees talks about his forthcoming Tyndale House Publishers book, "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity."

The Daily Comet

G.K. Chesterton rediscovered: There is revived interest in G.K. Chesterton’s works, "especially among Christians, with study groups cropping up around the country."

The (Worcester, Mass.) Telegram

Logo 'fair use' debated: Retailers have differing opinions about whether using a company's logo to express a Christian sentiment would be considered "fair use."

The Naperville Sun

Philip Jenkins' new book: Religious studies scholar Philip Jenkins' latest book, "Jesus Wars: How Four Patriarchs, Three Queens, and Two Emperors Decided What Christians Would Believe for the Next 1,500 Years," documents "the history of how powerful religious and state leaders feuded over the church's position on Christ's human nature."

Penn State Live

'Feel good' book coming: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Bree' forthcoming “Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity” (Tyndale House Publishers) "may turn out to be the feel-good story of the year."

The Norwich Bulletin

Writing pair discusses book: Mother-and-daughter writing team Cheri Fuller and Alison Plum discuss their Multnomah book, "Mother-Daughter Duet: Getting to the Relationship You Want With Your Adult Daughter.”

The Oklahoman

Store soup gets praise: Covenant Books and Coffee, a Christian bookstore in Honolulu, Hawaii, gets a thumbs-up for its "ever-changing" soup of the day.

The Honolulu Weekly

Supplier adjusts gift prices: Gift company P. Graham Dunn has adjusted its price points to weather the economic downturn.

The Akron Beacon Journal

Movie on Colombia ministry: Brent Green, son of Mardel founder Mart Green, has made a movie, "In Your Hands," about church leaders in Colombia threatened by gang leaders.

The Oklahoman

Industry Radar for the week of March 17, 2010.

Tyndale artist's 'expressive' work: Tyndale House Publishers graphic designer Tim Bott describes his art as "expressive calligraphy. In other words, he uses his talents to express the meaning of words."

Suburban Life

Beer book meets resistance: Stephen Mansfield's Thomas Nelson book, "The Search for God and Guinness: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World," has "met some resistance from Christian retailers."

The Tennessean

Store hosts school planning: Arrowhead Parable Christian Bookstore in Johnson City, N.Y., hosts a meeting for a proposed classical Christian school.

The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

Ex-Muslim book signing: Former Muslim Brotherhood member Kamal Saleem is to sign copies of his "Blood of Lambs" (Simon & Schuster) at The Salt Shaker in Wilmington, N.C.

The Wilmington Star News

Store sponsors Palin speech: Local Christian bookstore Garden of Read'n' is helping sponsor a visit and speech by Sarah Palin to raise money for Teen Challenge Montana, in Missoula, Mont.

The Missoulian

Bethany author's home office: Bethany House author Patti Hill tells about her "garden" office.

The (Grand Junction, Colo.) Daily Sentinel

Music leader on changing market: Former Word music label head Jim Van Hook discusses the changing music market.

The (Memphis) Daily News

Big Daddy Weave's message: The members of Big Daddy Weave came together in college "to serve a higher purpose and share a message through music."

The Marietta Times

Floating Christian bookstore: Currently in the Bahamas, the Christian-manned Logos Hope is the largest floating bookstore at sea.

The Tribune

'Biblical themes' in movies: Though "apocalyptic angels and satanic shadows are creeping back on to cinema screens," the trend is not surprising because "biblical themes have only ever been one global crisis away."

The (London) Guardian

Muslim outreach debate: Author and former Muslim Ergun Caner is at the center of a row over the "Camel" method of sharing the gospel with followers of Islam.

The New York Times

Romance 'wrestles' love, faith: Deborah Brodie describes her first Christian romance novel, “In His Love," as "a romance wrestling between love and religion."

The Walton Sun

New store's family neighbor: Mike Robeck's Disciple's Corner Christian bookstore in Rapid City, Iowa, will open soon next door to his wife's fashion boutique.

The Rapid City Journal

Industry Radar for the week of March 10, 2010.

Hamas memoir 'refreshing': Mosab Hassan Youseff's "Son of Hamas" memoir (Tyndale House Publishers), about being groomed to take over leadership of the Palestinian group, offers "a refreshing change from the sound bites and vitriol heard over and over for generations."

The Washington Post

Devotional author's book signings: Devotional author Joanna Pollack Shumaker of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., signs her new book, "Renewing Your Spirit," at two local Christian bookstores.

The Abington Journal

Hamas author acknowledges 'doubts: "Son of Hamas" author Mosab Hassan Youseff acknowledges "some people will doubt" his account of spying for Israel while a member of the Palestinian organization.

Associated Press

'Blind Side' is best: "The Blind Side" has been named most spiritual film of the year by a group of online readers.

The East Valley Tribune

New LifeWay in Missouri: LifeWay Christian Stores opens an outlet in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The Southeast Missourian

Hamas story 'shock, intrigue': The "startling journey" of the eldest son of a Hamas leader, a Christian convert, and former Israeli spy, detailed in "Son of Hamas," has "shocked, angered, and intrigued."

BBC

Mormon books 'sea change': A Mormon columnist finds "a sea change of sorts" in evangelical books about the Latter Day Saints, noting they take "a more elevated tone."

The Mormon Times

Book's 'Middle East ripples': Former Hamas member Mosab Hassan Yousef's story of becoming a Christian and spying for Israel, told in "Son of Hamas," has "sent ripples through the Middle East."

The Wall Street Journal

Digital publishing's 'double business': Developing digital editions of books is "like running two businesses," says Paul Mikos of LifeWay Christian Resources' B&H Publishing Group.

The Tennessean

Faith-based film focus: Movies like "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" present "an opportunity for Christians to vote with their feet, showing theater owners there is a marketable audience for faith-based films."

The California Chronicle

Joel Osteen profiled: Megachurch pastor and author Joel Osteen is "the new face of Christianity."

The (London) Guardian

Chick tract criticized: California-based Chick Publications' "The Death Cookie" tract has been criticized for being anti-Catholic.

The Knoxville News Sentinel

Inspirational films' 'difficult subjects': "Letters to God" is one of the latest movies "marketed to and finding acceptance from Christian audiences despite difficult subject matters."

The California Chronicle

Veteran musician Nancy Honeytree: After more than 35 years, singer Nancy Honeytree "remains on the cutting edge of contemporary Christian music."

(Hendersonville, N.C.) Times-News

Industry Radar for the week of March 3, 2010.

LifeWay donates prison Bibles: Lifeway Christian Bookstore in Meridian, Miss., has donated more than 150 Bibles for inmates at a local jail. The copies have all been purchased by customers as part of a special campaign.

WTOK TV

Attorney author's forgiveness message: Prominent Dallas attorney James David Jordan has earned his place as writer with the release of three B&H Publishing suspense novels that address the issue of forgiveness.

The Telegraph

Tyndale House's Hamas memoir: In his Tyndale House Publishers memoir, "Son of Hamas," the son of one of the organization's founders says he served as a top informant for Israel for more than a decade.

The Washington Post

Start-up gifts success: Though Hold That Thought inspirational gift company founder Kim Humphries recognizes she probably could not have started a new business in a worse economic climate, she is pleased with how things are going.

The Decatur Daily

Christian movies see success: The Christian movie industry–a sizable niche market–"has seen recent box-office success with low-budget family dramas."

The (Toronto) Globe and Mail

Author Shane Claiborne's sincerity: Author and speaker Shane Claiborne "attempts to approach his audiences with sincerity and cut straight to the point."

The Lariat Online

'Biggest Loser' contestant's faith: "The Biggest Loser" Season 4 runner-up Julie Hadden tells how participating in the reality TV show strengthened her Christian walk in "Fat Chance: Losing the Weight, Gaining My Worth" (GuidepostsBooks).

Scientist's faith riles colleagues: National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins is again riling some scientists by publicly sharing his religious beliefs in a new book, "Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith" (HarperCollins).

Science

Dr. Dobson says farewell: A listening audience of an 200 million was expected for author and Focus on the family founder James Dobson's final turn as host of the “Focus on the Family” radio show.

The Gazette

Actor-author marriage conferences: Actor Kirk Cameron and musician Warren Barfield have teamed up to present Love Worth Fighting For marriage conferences.

The (Lexington, Ky.) Herald-Leader

Bookstore worker's faith research: A Christian bookstore worker helps the Cancer Research Center of the University of South Carolina investigate the role of faith in healing sick or injured people.

The State

'Thriving on criticism': A commentator observes that "no one is better at criticizing Christians than Christians themselves. The Christian publishing industry thrives on it."

The (St. Louis, Mo.) Post-Dispatch