The Virtual Christian Retailing Show runs through Labor Day, Sept. 6, and will help stores set themselves for the fall and Christmas seasons with product news, order specials and training. The magazine's fourth virtual trade event features more than 30 suppliers--including gift vendors such as Swanson Christian Products and Robert Spooner Galerie--with their "booths" presenting new and recent releases and offering links for orders and specials.

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

Let's spend some time thinking about one of the most important categories for a church store: small group studies.

In almost every church you will find small groups-they may be called Bible studies, family groups, neighborhood groups, discipleship groups or any of a myriad of other titles. But their purpose is almost always the same.

They come together in small numbers-usually less than 15--and they study something that is of common interest. There is always fellowship and sharing, but at the center of the small group time, there is study and discussion.

Taking part in the conversation were Larry Carpenter, then president of Standard Publishing; John Raymond, vice president and publisher of church engagement for Zondervan; and Amy Reuscher, product manager at Group Publishing.

Click here to listen in on their discussion.

Though church attendance can dip in the summer, business doesn't have to slow if you turn your bookstore into a one-stop shop for attendees' summer resource needs. Here are a few ideas to keep sales up during the summer.

Travel tips: Many customers will come in looking for resources to keep themselves and their children occupied on car trips. While they may be looking for DVDs for the kids to watch, they'll also be searching for something they can listen to while driving--a great time to showcase your audiobooks and your church's message CDs.

When grandparents who will have family visiting come into your store, have some beautiful picture books in mind to recommend to them.

Donations are important publicity for any retail store, but you must set parameters for donating. The amount you can designate in your budget must be something you can live with.

To begin with, there has to be a give-and-take procedure with the donation of a gift. If, for example, you donate a gift or product to the Women's Annual Fall Banquet, it should be with the agreement that the store will be given some form of mention in return during the evening. It could be in the printed program or verbally when the door prize is given out.

Whatever the case, you have provided monetary support of the event so you deserve to be recognized. The important thing is to decide how much you can provide and to whom each year.

In our store we have found that gift baskets are a favorite donation. By using a variety of products, a very attractive basket can be assembled and makes a great showing.

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But there is a bigger question to address-how reflective is Rice's experience of others in the church?

According to a multi-year study conducted by the Barna Group, Rice is not alone. She shares a spiritual profile with nearly 60 million other adults nationwide who identified their current faith allegiance as being different to that of their childhood.

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

Rom. 8:26, New International Version