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

The latest edition of the Christian Retailing Update electronic newsletter this week reminded me that there were only 70 days left until The Gathering 2010 in Louisville, Ky. The countdown has well and truly begun-have you registered yet?

Right now, Louisville is digging out from under a huge snowstorm. But in just under 70 days, spring will be in full bloom with honeysuckle and dogwood brightening what are now snow-covered hills and valleys. The city will be getting ready to celebrate the biggest event of the yea—The Kentucky Derby. As you drive by the horse farms in the area, the colts will be kicking up their heels as they run through the bluegrass.

Also, in just 10 short weeks, Southeast Christian Church will roll out the red carpet for all of us who will attend The Gathering. You are going to be awed by the wonderful facility that God has provided for this body of believers—and humbled by the way every inch has been dedicated to the glory of the Father.

But, more importantly, you are going to be wrapped in the warmth of the people—volunteers and paid staff—who make up Southeast Christian Church.

Once there, you will find classes that will better enable you to do the job God has called you to do. This year we have concentrated on classes that will help you add value to the shopping experience in your store.

Still undecided about whether or not to be part of The Gathering 2010? Listen to what three attendees—independent retailers and church bookstore representatives—had to say about their experience at the 2009 event.

To find out more details about the 2010 event and to register, click here.

When your job involves a daily ministry of service, it is easy to get distracted. But, with so much to do and so little time, it becomes even more important that we use the precious resource of our hours well.

Here are some principles and practices that will help you develop effective time-management skills.

Worst First: In Eat That Frog! (Berrett-Koehler Publishers), Brian Tracy suggests that if you have to eat a frog every day and it's absolutely the worst thing you have to do, then make it the first thing that you do, so that the rest of your day is not filled with anxiety.

For example, if your most dreaded activity is a daily inventory count, then make inventory the first thing you do on a daily basis so that you can move on and enjoy the rest of the day.

Clear Focus: In Never Check E-mail in the Morning (Fireside), Julie Morgenstern advocates that you spend the majority of your day on tasks that focus on the bottom line.

Congratulations—you are in for a wild ride. A bookstore manager should be responsible for:

- Hiring and supervision of employees
- Cleanliness of the store
- Ordering of products
- Overseeing customer care
- Educating and training staff
- Implementing policies and procedures
- Preparing operating budget
- Supervising inventory controls
- Implementing a marketing plan
- Spiritual leadership.

There are many other things I could add to the list—such as chief housekeeper, gift-wrapper extraordinaire, imprinter, master of all types of repairs and general all-around good guy—but no one can do everything!

I'd encourage you to make use of the seminars and classes that are offered in our industry. The Gathering is a great place to start. There you'll be able to meet and learn from some great store managers who have been doing this for a long time. You also will be given materials that will help you with many of your questions.

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..

Many Americans appear to be significantly cutting back on charitable giving in order to adjust to the downturn. A recent Barna Group study found half of all adults (48%) said they had reduced their giving to nonprofit organizations—excluding churches and houses of worship—in the last three months.

Churches were slightly less likely to be affected, but were certainly not immune to cutbacks—three out of 10 Americans had dropped their level of support to churches and congregations (29%) in recent months.

Compared to a similar Barna study conducted in the fourth quarter of 2008, when the economy began to plummet, there has been a 58% increase in the percentage of Americans who have curtailed their recent giving to nonprofits and a 45% increase in the proportion that have reduced their donations to churches.

While many church donors have been able to maintain their typical level of donations, those who have cut back have dropped their giving substantially. Nearly one-quarter of church donors said they had reduced contributions by 20% or more. That compares with just one-tenth who had done so in the first few months of the crisis.

Tithing has remained fairly constant, however. Overall, 7% of all adults reported donation levels equaling at least 10% of their income—roughly the same level that has been found since the beginning of the decade. Those over the age of 45 (9%) were nearly twice as likely as those under the age (5%) to tithe.

The survey results suggested that "church and nonprofit leaders should prepare for another lean year," commented David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group. "Response to this reality suggests avoiding high-risk and untested fund-raising efforts and communicating effectively with constituents. In addition, consider proactive financial management, including adjusting income expectations."

Source: The Barna Group

-To read the full report, click here. http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/341-the-economys-impact-part-3-of-3-donors-reduce-giving-brace-for-the-long-haul

Running through March 30, Christian Retailing's Virtual Christian Restock Connection highlights some of the key new and backlist products from leading suppliers.

Among the companies presenting specials and offers are Bridge-Logos Foundation, Judson Press, Lighthouse Christian Products, Standard Publishing, Strang Book Group and Thomas Nelson.

In addition, extra editorial content features Christian Retailing editors talking with industry experts and leaders on issues such as inventory control and managing backlist.

Retailers who place an offer of $500 retail with a Virtual Christian Restock Connection exhibitor also qualify for a free registration, a $150 value, for Christian Retailing's The Gathering 2010.

Click here https://www.christianretailing.com/online/vcrc2010/ to find out more about the Virtual Christian Restock Connection.

We asked what stores do to make the most of the Easter season.

We have a local seminary that writes our Lenten reader and we stock it and make it available for the congregation. This gives great perspective for the holiday and helps people prepare to celebrate our Lord's resurrection. We provide this even if someone can't afford it, asking the congregation to, if possible, give a little more to cover the cost of these that are given away.

We also carry Gregg Gift′s "Legacy of Love" nativities and resurrection collectibles; we keep these out year round. Another great item is the "Resurrection Eggs," which my family uses every year to remind us of the events leading up to the resurrection. This is a family experience that my daughter opens up and now can tell the entire story that goes with each of the items in the eggs.

Thanks for all the great ideas and encouragement The Church Bookstore magazine gives us. It's my favorite, and I read it cover to cover.

Donna Duckhorn
Manager, Northland Bookstore
Northland, A Church Distributed
Longwood, Fla.

We asked how stores handle requests from church members to carry personally produced materials.

We have a product submission policy in place. This was implemented after we had many requests and attending a workshop led by Deb Graham from Prestonwood Bookstore at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas. We basically adapted hers to meet our criteria and got the approval from our senior and executive pastor.

The church receptionist has the policy on hand, and the staff have it in the bookstore. It says:

"Thank you for your interest in having your product carried in the Eastview Christian Church Harvest Bookstore. Due to the large volume of inquiries and product submissions; we adhere to certain guidelines to maintain our business and product integrity. If you would like us to consider your product, please review and adhere to the following guidelines.

"All products to be considered by Eastview Christian Church's Harvest Bookstore must meet the following guidelines and be submitted using the following procedures.

"Books and Music:
1. Published by a national publisher (self-published items not accepted)
2.Represented by a publishing representative or marketing group
3.Fit the mission, vision and DNA of Eastview Christian Church (Mission and Vision on church Web site)

"Gifts:
1. Manufactured and sold by an incorporated company
2. Have a printed UPC code (Universal Product Code)

"All Products must guarantee the following:

1. Full product order fulfillment
2. Replacement of defective items
3. Cash returns on overstock

"If product meets the above requirements, a catalog or sample may be submitted by mail for review and consideration only:"

Lorena Allen
Manager, Harvest Bookstore
Eastview Christian Church
Normal, Ill.

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"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
Ps. 119:130, New International Version