Church bookstore retailers can see military chaplains in action and learn about the Operation Worship Bible campaign in a video message from Tyndale House Publishers that is part of the Virtual Christian Retailing Show.

Tyndale is one of more than 20 suppliers taking part in the Web-based event, which offers product information and specials to virtual show visitors-the same special offered to those who attended the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, last month.

Each week I wonder what you need to hear from me-should it be a word of encouragement, more training and education, or something informational about the industry?

What I really would like to be doing is sitting around a rather large table with you, drinking iced tea or coffee (with maybe a few cookies, too) and sharing ideas. I would love to hear how you have solved your space problem, how you deal with church staff, or how you recruit enough volunteers to get the work done in a timely fashion.

Thursday, Aug. 20, at Gateway Church's Southlake Campus in Southlake, Texas, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bobby Williams, director, retail services at Gateway Church, will speak on "How to Buy Smart." Barney Paradise, president of Design Identity, will answer questions on merchandising and fixtures. Other co-sponsor representatives attending will be Karen Bilbrey from STL Distribution North America and Roger Green from IntegriTEAM.

There will also be a Coffee Bar Meeting, at which Barney Paradise will speak about equipment and coffee bar upkeep. Plus roundtable discussion on topics like pricing, staff vs. volunteers, working with volunteers, policies/procedures and food safety.

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

For most bookstore managers, conducting staff meetings is either a blessing or a curse. Many find it difficult or lack the organizational skills necessary to have a productive and effective meeting. Other managers find sheer joy in planning a meeting and perform it with ease.

Meanwhile, most store staff-whether paid or volunteer-more than likely have little interest in attending any meetings at all. But, whatever your opinion is, staff meetings are a must for all church stores that desire to have a knowledgeable and highly trained staff.

Where there's a wheel there's a way ... to make more of limited space. Display cases on castors can be brought out when needed and moved around to optimize room when it is at a premium. They can also be repositioned to change the shape and flow of your store's layout.

If customers are constantly asking you for these items, and an area for them would fit into your store layout, then you may need to include them in your inventory.

Some stores carry pain relievers, candy, stamps and other novelty items as a convenience for their staff and parishioners. If you plan to do this, find a reliable and economical source from which to purchase these products.

Some newcomers could be heading your way soon, if a new campaign by evangelism resources group Outreach Inc. is a success.

The San Diego-based organization is launching a national Back to Church Sunday campaign, intended to help make it easy for regular churchgoers to invite friends and family along to a service with them.

"Creating a great shopping environment in your store is one of the most important things a retailer can do to encourage repeat visits, and music can play a tremendous part in that multi-sensual experience. Therefore chose your music carefully.

"Before and after a service, it makes great sense to use worship music as a background to help extend the experience the customer had or will have in the sanctuary. However, if your store is quite small, you may need a more aggressive and upbeat sound to get people in and out quickly.

"On other days of the week, think about your customers' needs and keep in mind that the music you play should accentuate the shopping experience, not disturb it. In light of that, worship music and instrumental products work well throughout the day unless your clientele is youthful. If that is the case, you will want to create an upbeat musical experience."

Robert Brenner
Vice President of Resource and Worship Product Marketing
Integrity Music

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

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
(Col. 1:28, NIV)