"Think outside the box." "Color outside the lines." I'm sure you have heard these and other terms as you have been encouraged to be creative, to do something different and unusual. We get these exhortations a lot as people are trying to re-invent or at least re-energize the Christian retail industry.

It seems that we have been caught in the perfect storm. Even before the economy collapsed, we were being told there were things about our industry that needed to change. The rise of technology took a big bite out of the music side of our industry, and began nudging out the printed page.

Add to that all of the moral, ethical and social change around us, and you might be forgiven for beginning to believe there is no hope. But hold on!

by Andy Butcher

There are bigger and busier operations out there than The Faithful Source, but it could turn out to be as significant for the church bookstore world as a near-neighbor has been for global communications in the last decade.

That other party would be Internet pioneer AOL, whose campus is just a mile or so from The Faithful Source's home at Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) which occupies a former warehouse in Ashburn, Va., bought for a song following a business' crash.

"We are praying that this will be a time of continued healing and a season of restoration for him," said the church's executive pastor, Mike Buster. The health concern was announced to the church at the weekend. Graham said physicians had assured him that his prognosis was "outstanding."

Source: Baptist Press

Monday, Aug. 10, at Harvest Bookstore at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, Ill. (within three hours of St. Louis, Chicago & Indianapolis). Topics and vendors TBD.

Contact regional director Susan Chipman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

TEXAS

Thursday, Aug. 20, at Gateway Church's Southlake Campus in Southlake, Texas, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Topics and vendors to be confirmed. Will include discussion and training for church coffee bar managers and staff.

Contact regional director Bobby Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, just a few miles from Disneyland. A church bookstore track will be featured in the church leaders' day that follows the Nov. 7-9 Connect conference taking place at the church.

There will be training and discussion, with speakers to be announced. Helping with the planning and preparations is Jayson Payne, manager of the Rockpile bookstore at The Rock Church in San Diego.

Contact Cottonwood Church bookstore manager Rose Seeley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 714-947-5356.

RSVP to Robb Faust at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about ICRS, go to http://www.christianretailshow.com/

by Bob Steele

It's often the little things that keep their customers coming back, with the "shopability" factor at the top of the list. Department identification and organization are key elements here. How easy is it for customers to locate what they came to purchase without having to ask for customer assistance? Most customers will look a lot longer than they want to before they ask for help.

To help direct customers to product as soon as they enter the store, make sure your departments are clearly identified from the entrance area. To highlight key areas, use block-style, dimensional lettering mounted on various walls throughout the store.

The acceptance of credit cards in our society is such an accepted practice that you will need to settle this issue before opening your store. Every church has its own view of this practice. Some churches are very strong in their admonition of using credit seeing this as a violation of biblical principles. Others are not as strong in their rejection of this method of payment.

If you do not accept cards you will be facing a large challenge with your customers. If you do accept cards, treat the transactions in a completely professional manner. It is not a good practice to keep customers card numbers on file. And be extremely protective of card numbers written on order forms, etc. The acceptance of credit cards carries with it a lot of responsibility.

Got a question for Betty Bookstore? Write to her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Heterosexuals are more likely to describe their faith as "very important" than homosexuals (72% to 60%), more likely to describe themselves as Christians (85% to 70%) and more likely to hold an orthodox, biblical perception of God (71% to 43%).

Share your thoughts and experiences with others at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..