'More than commodities' message

by Rose Seeley

"Alive and vibrant" were the words one vendor used to describe the regional meeting held in Southern California at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Oct. 19. Almost 50 managers and their staffs from 23 churches, plus 10 vendors, met for a full day of training, supplier presentations and meetings, a Q-&-A session and a special guest speaker.

The meals (breakfast and lunch) and breaks provided time to renew and make new connections, and enjoy fellowship with other like-minded brothers and sisters. The training sessions covered topics such as how to merchandise your store, store layout and traffic flow, becoming a better manager and building thriving volunteer teams.

More resources were reviewed during one mini-session covering the Church Bookstore Network. From the magazine to the e-newsletter to the virtual online shows, chat forums and webinars, the session was an eye-opener for many who didn't realize what the organization has grown into.

One highlight of the day was an inspiring talk by the chairman-elect of CBA and director of the Harvest Bookstore in Riverside, Calif., George Thomsen. He shared his perspective on the state of the Christian retail industry and the emergence of the church bookstore as an important entity within it.

"Unlike secular retailers, we are evangelists for Christian product," he said. "We must create and cultivate a close community of customers. We have to offer much more to today's customer than just commodities."

Thomsen also stressed that in order to be successful, church stores must have an understanding of the financial and philosophical expectations of church leadership and be intentional about becoming experts at what they do-it is an issue of stewardship.

Sponsoring the meals were: STL and Thomas Nelson (lunch) and Zondervan, Spring Arbor, NOTW, Design Identity, DaySpring and Cottonwood Church (breakfast and breaks).

Attendees also took home a tote bag full of great samples to review and consider for their store inventories. Providing samples were: Anchor Distributors, Baker Publishing Group, David C Cook, Demdaco, Harvest House Publishers, Leafwood Publishers, Moody Publishers, Protec, Provident-Integrity Distribution, STL Distribution North America, Spring Arbor, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan.

-Rose Seeley is manager of the bookstore at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif.

An author pays back

Sometimes author events can achieve two goals-selling books for the writer and also selling other items to her.

That was the case when Brenda Lott—who under the pen name Maggie Brendan writes the "Heart of the West" fiction series (Revell/Baker Publishing Group—visited The Bookmark at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., recently for a signing hosted by bookstore manager Dottie Poythress.

"Many of my friends came despite the dreary Atlanta weather we've been having," Lott wrote of the event at her blog. "I was signing The Jewel of His Heart. Some who hadn't read No Place for a Lady bought both books.

"It's always hard to sit still in the store and not get up and browse to see the latest books or check out the cool gifts to purchase. I was fascinated by an adorable turkey that gobbles and wound up buying it for my granddaughter.

"This is one of my favorite places to shop, and the staff at The Bookmark has supported my dream of being published and have held me up in prayer. I cherish them and their friendship."

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