A message from Geni Hulsey, president of the Church Bookstore Network:

I will never forget a conversation I had with a young man who was a member of our congregation, about the purpose of a bookstore—or any type of retail—within the confines of a church.

He was not a skeptic, but rather a strong supporter of the store. He was merely curious about the position a bookstore held in a church. His question was how I saw it as a ministry, rather than just a resource or a service. My response was: "If it is not a ministry, if it has no place in the church." I believe that with all of my heart.

Though the economics of a church bookstore must be an important issue, I believe that if we make them our chief concern, we lose sight of the reason to have the store in the first place.

In this newsletter and in The Church Bookstore magazine, we endeavor to help make the business side of your job as a manager easier. But if that is all we do, we may as well be training you to manage a local coffee shop or gift store.

Whether you are a one—person operation or are blessed with a large staff-paid or volunteer—it is so easy to get caught up in the "work" that must be done. Retail is not for sissies: It takes a lot of grit and "nose to the grindstone" effort.

But our job is more than the sum of its parts. It's very purpose is a kingdom purpose. We don't just sell Bibles, we pair the right Bible to the need of that person. We explain how to use that Bible to one unfamiliar with it.

We don't just carry Bible studies—we lead people to Bible studies that have the power to change their lives. Our children's department is there to lay a foundation in the lives of little ones who may someday grow up to be pastors and missionaries.

Our music departments are filled with sounds and words that heal and minister. The gifts we sell are not just pretty things, but they have meaning to both the giver and the receiver. I have seen a customer linger for an hour trying to choose something with just the right scripture to speak to the heart of a friend or neighbor.

Our stores are places of prayer and fellowship, of laughter and joy-that is the difference between retail and ministry.

So many times the leaders of our churches hear all the facts and finances of the store, but they never hear about the ministry. So I encourage you, on a regular basis, tell them.

I am not suggesting that you "toot your own horn," but that you toot God's horn a lot. He is doing a great work through the ministry of the church bookstore, and we must not assume everyone understands that.

My challenge to you is to go forth and blow God's horn—let your church know what He is doing in your store.

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