GRAMMY-winning rock band Switchfoot’s first single “Love Alone Is Worth the Fight” saw every Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR reporting radio station playing it in the single’s debut week—marking the only time this has happened since the chart launched in 2006, according to Nielsen BDS. The single is from the group’s ninth studio album, Fading West (Atlantic Records/Word Distribution), which releases Jan. 14. 

Among other achievements, “Love Alone Is Worth the Fight” also claimed the highest-ever debut position (No. 34) for Switchfoot on the National Christian Audience (NCA) chart and the second-highest debut chart position (No. 19) out of the band’s 17 Hot AC/CHR singles (“Stars” debuted at No. 18 in 2005).

Group Publishing authors Thom and Joani Schultz address the decline of the American church in Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore: And How 4 Acts of Love Will Make Your Church Irresistible. Released Oct. 1, the book by Group founder and CEO Thom Schultz and his wife, Joani, chief creative officer at the company, has seen attention from major Christian media outlets, including The 700 Club and FamilyLife, and has become a No. 1 Amazon best-seller on the Adult Christian Ministry list.

Church decline is a trending topic in Christian publishing, considering the release of previous titles such as I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainier (B&H Books) and You Lost Me by David Kinnaman (Baker Books/Baker Publishing Group).

As the Christmas season approaches, America's Research Group (ARG) Chairman and CEO Britt Beemer says retail businesses may miss out on sales because they’re not listening.

“What is missing is that retail businesses in particular need to listen to Americans—to what American parents and households are telling us, which is that they need to have affordable products available to them and ways in which they can purchase them that make sense—this will, I believe, move the economy in a positive direction,” Beemer said. “Up until now, what businesses have done on a large scale is to cut expenses—fine for business, but American households are not motivated by lower expenses. Seventy-four percent of adults tell us they are more sale-price driven today than ever before; and, therefore, motivating the consumer in the days leading up to the holidays is going to involve an excessively aggressive discount strategy with incredible offers. Consumers will be looking for bigger discounts than ever before—or, more likely, they will not shop at all.”

Destiny Image author Neal Pylant died suddenly Oct. 8. He was 70.

Pylant co-wrote his family's story, A Touch From Heaven, with his son, Christopher Pylant, who survived the near-death experience written about in the book. Released in May, the book told the story of the family’s journey of faith as they fought for the life of Christopher, their young son who was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. Dr. Ben Carson was the lead surgeon for the family and wrote the foreword for the book.

T.D. Jakes is featured on the cover of JET magazine, a newsweekly that reaches more than 7 million readers. Jakes, who has a new talk show on BET, was chosen for the Nov. 4 issue, as JET spotlights upcoming films with African-American actors, directors and producers.

The Potter’s House pastor discusses his new TV show, upcoming film and utilizing modern technology to reach the masses on a spiritual level.

Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, has announced the hiring of Webb Younce as associate publisher and executive editor, effective Oct. 21. Younce is filling the role previously held by Bryan Norman on the Nelson Books team. 

Younce comes to the imprint with more than 15 years of publishing experience. He began his career at Alfred A. Knopf and has worked for a number of New York houses since then, including Random House and Houghton Mifflin.  After two years in Berlin serving as editorial director of English language and international literature at German publishing house Suhrkamp Verlag, Younce most recently worked with Free Press at Simon & Schuster.

Brushfire Designs is joining the Glory Haus family, effective Oct. 22. Current production will be shut down as they work together on a newly designed product line that will be introduced in January.

“We are delighted that Jennifer Stevens-Nicholson, previous owner and artist of Brushfire Designs, will continue to design Brushfire product for years to come,” said Molly Holm, owner and chief creative officer of Glory Haus. “Jennifer will not only bring with her Brushfire classic designs, but will create new and exciting concepts for the newly formed division of Glory Haus. The addition of Brushfire designs will broaden the artistic scope of Glory Haus.”

A faith- based corporation that manufactures gift and home décor products, Glory Haus is based in Marietta, Ga. Its mission is “Community transformation that glorifies the Lord and changes lives through our work, art and relationships.” For more information, visit www.gloryhaus.com.