Lemstone has formed a new division, Church Retail Solutions, to help churches establish and operate on-site Christian retail stores. Keith Duff, Lemstone's vice president, will lead the company's initiative.

Company President Scott Macdonald said research shows that leading churches want to establish a retail presence to serve their church community and to provide a channel for materials and programs they create.

"They also want to do so in a way that their retail operation can help fund the core ministries of the church, not drain the church resources," Macdonald said. "They feel that a healthy retail operation can help them achieve their goals as a church and reach more people for Christ."