While some carry ministry-centered items like greeting cards and products that can be given to others for evangelism and encouragement, many have, to date, been more conservative and focused only on books and Bibles.

But "they are realizing that book sales are down and people are finding other places to buy them," said Geni Hulsey, president of the Church Bookstore Network. "They know they have to make that up somewhere, and they are looking for high-quality gifts that are ministry tools."

Tim Belanger, a volunteer at the bookstore managed by his wife, Connie, at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Mich., said that while they had been primarily focused on books, it had recently been decided to "open it up to merchandise and apparel. Books are great, but with them you only have a certain segment of the congregation that will come in."

Sue Carter, manager of Seeds Bookstore at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., said that the store's emphasis from its beginnings had always been books and Bibles, but "it is kind of a new day. One of the main purposes (for coming) was to look at the art and the T-shirts, to bring that back to my leadership team."

Annette Atwood, president of Show Offs Art, noted high interest from church accounts. Gifts "are what is going to keep them afloat, really," she said. "I had some stores say they weren't allowed to carry gifts so they placed orders to decorate offices in the church" to show how gift products could offer ministry value.

"We have had a lot of church bookstores order from us," said Angela Riess, vice president of operations for Glory Haus.

• Prev
• Next