Christian Retailing

Thomas Nelson, Zondervan deal to increase companies' 'audio presence' Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Friday, 10 May 2013 01:00 AM America/New_York

Thomas Nelson and Zondervan have signed an agreement with Brilliance Audio for global distribution rights of frontlist and backlist products for the sister companies, which form HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP).

The three-year partnership includes all nonfiction and fiction titles from authors such as Rick Warren, Max Lucado, Colleen Coble and Lysa TerKeurst in CD and MP3 CD format.

"With certain backlist titles being available in hard goods for the first time, this new partnership will increase our audio presence in the world's retail and libraries markets," said Cat Zappa, HCCP's director of licensing. "We are thrilled that loved titles like America the Beautiful by Ben Carson and Grace, Gold and Glory by Olympic champion Gabrielle Douglas will now be available to our audio listening audience."

Francis: Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar, a biography of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) released this month by Thomas Nelson, will be one of the first audio titles to be distributed by Brilliance Audio, a subsidiary of Amazon.com.

"The audiobook space is evolving quickly, and as a publisher, we need to be nimble to appropriately respond to the changing market," said Gabe Wicks, HCCP's vice president of creative services group. "Partnering with Brilliance guarantees we'll be able to do that while at the same time expanding our audio product list. This new relationship is a positive for both Brilliance and HCCP, but it's an even more exciting development for our authors and their fans."

For more information, visit www.brillianceaudio.com/harper-collins-christian.

 
Flood-affected Crossway appeals for financial support Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 09 May 2013 12:01 PM America/New_York

Crossway has appealed for financial support in the wake of the company suffering extensive damage from flooding last month. The publisher has also asked donors to help raise $360,000 by the end of its fiscal year, May 31, for "priority projects."

Crossway's offices in Wheaton, Ill., incurred substantial flooding, forcing closures April 17-18. About 2 feet of water poured into the publisher's 32 first-floor offices, and repairs and rebuilding will take five to six months, company officials said.

In an email to supporters, Lane Dennis, president and CEO of Crossway, wrote: "As a not-for-profit ministry, Crossway is not only committed to publishing the ESV [English Standard Version] Bible and gospel-centered content, but also to providing God's Word to hundreds of thousands of people overseas, either free or at a substantially reduced cost. Because of the recent flood, however, some of these international ministry efforts are now at risk."

He added that the financial assistance will pay for three areas: damage not covered by insurance; installation of new safeguards to flood-proof Crossway's building; and "crucial Bible ministry projects."

"Your support will make it possible especially for us to continue moving forward with the following priority projects: translation costs for the ESV Chinese Study Bible, to be published in mainland China; printing costs for 60,000 copies of the Chinese-English ESV bilingual Bible, also for publication and distribution in mainland China; completion and global distribution of the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible this fall; development of the Knowing the Bible studies, to be offered free digitally worldwide," Dennis said.

"Though we don't know exactly how the Lord will use these events for His kingdom and for His glory, we are confident in His grace and mercy and in His gracious provision for the work He has called us to do—trusting His words in Isaiah 43:2: 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.' "

 
Bible software's new look offers 'a more cohesive, enjoyable experience' Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 09 May 2013 09:19 AM America/New_York

LifeWay Christian Resources (LCR)—the parent company of LifeWay Christian Stores—has unveiled a new logo for its WORDsearch Bible Software, while releasing a free suite of online Bible study tools.

Part of an ongoing strategy to improve overall user experience, the refined logo "more fully reflects WORDsearch's access to LifeWay's breadth of digital products and services, as well as that of other content partners," company officials said.

"This new look will make interacting with WORDsearch a more cohesive and enjoyable experience through every channel," said WORDsearch Director David Seibert.

In addition to the design changes, the WORDsearch website's "New to Bible Software?" guide offers an introduction to capabilities and functions, including free electronic books and reference materials.

WORDsearch Basic Today, for users who are new to Bible study software, is "the long-overdue update of our very popular free software Bible Explorer," Seibert said. "This is a key step toward a more cohesive brand presence for WORDsearch and our plans to roll out more technology updates, more exclusive content and new tools to give WORDsearch users the best possible experience studying God's Word."

LCR acquired Bible reference software companies WORDsearch Corp. and QuickVerse in 2011 to strengthen its digital focus. To learn more about WORDsearch Bible Software, visit www.wordsearchbible.com.

 
Berean looks for 'right opportunity' to add new stores Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 09 May 2013 09:13 AM America/New_York

Berean Christian Stores anticipates adding new stores this fall as part of the chain's three-tiered growth plan.

"We'd like to add one to two stores this fall, but we are being very intentional in reviewing possible sites and/or acquisitions," Bill Nielsen, chief operating officer of Berean, told Christian Retailing. "We are willing to wait for the right opportunity.

"We have reviewed six acquisitions over the past several months, but none appeared to be a good fit for Berean," he added. "In regard to new stores, we are in the process of ranking each market in the U.S. to help us determine where we want to be. ... While we have a vision to add 18 stores, we do not want to run ahead of the doors that God opens for us."

Based in Cincinnati, the 17-outlet chain is nearing the completion of its chain-wide operating systems upgrade for improved business performance and store growth.

"We are very pleased with recent comp store performance, which we anticipate to continue or grow as all stores go-live on our new system by June 1," Nielsen said. "Our growth plans include a heavy emphasis on same-store sales growth, a new more robust e-commerce strategy and the addition of new or newly acquired stores."

Berean—which dates back to 1934—joined Covenant Group last June, increasing the country's second-largest independent Christian chain's membership by approximately 50%.

 
Retail groups applaud Senate passage of Marketplace Fairness Act Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Thursday, 09 May 2013 01:00 AM America/New_York

CurtisRiskey-OfficialWebCBA, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) have praised the Senate passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act late Monday. The bill, S. 743, now moves to the House, where it is expected to face opposition. 

Sponsored by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), the legislation—which would allow states to require and collect online sales taxes—passed the Senate by a more than two-to-one margin.

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'Divine Conspiracy' author Dallas Willard dies Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 09 May 2013 01:00 AM America/New_York

Dallas Willard, philosopher, professor and best-selling author of The Divine Conspiracy (HarperOne), died of cancer Wednesday, May 8. He was 77.

Willard was "one of the great reformers of Christian thought of the past century," and "his most powerful lessons were in how he lived an unhurried life with God," said Gary Moon, director of the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Divine Conspiracy was Christianity Today's Book of the Year for 1999. Additionally, Willard's Renovation of the Heart (NavPress) won Christianity Today's 2003 Book Award for Spirituality and the Association of Logos Bookstores' 2003 Book Award for Christian Living. His other books included Hearing God and A Place for Truth (both InterVarsity Press) and The Spirit of the Disciplines (HarperOne).

Willard also taught philosophy at the University of Southern California since 1965, and headed the school's philosophy department from 1982 to 1985.

He believed passivity was a widespread problem in the church, and his greatest goal was to make genuine disciples of Jesus. His writing focused on spiritual formation, which, he emphasized, was not merely behavioral modification.

"Dallas thought about his faith, and he talked about his faith, but, most importantly, he talked about Jesus, whom he called the 'smartest man who ever lived,' " said InterVarsity Press (IVP) Publisher Bob Fryling. "I am deeply indebted to Dallas for his winsome example and rich teaching on how to be a spiritual person as a disciple of Jesus Christ."

Cindy Bunch, IVP's associate editorial director, added: "[Author] James Bryan Smith has shared with me of how Dallas would encourage him not to reference him so much, saying, 'If it was any good, it did not come from me, but from the Holy Spirit, so consider it public domain.' "

Earlier this week, Willard revealed that he was battling stage four cancer. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jane; two children, John and Becky; and a granddaughter.

 
Matthew West, Ben Glover take top songwriting honors Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 03:28 PM America/New_York

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) recently honored the songwriters and publishers of Christian music's most-performed songs at its 35th annual Christian Music Awards in Nashville.

Top honors at the May 6 event at the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., were awarded to Matthew West (Sparrow Records), ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year; Ben Glover, ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year; "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" written and recorded by Matt Redman on his album 10,000 Reasons (sixstepsrecords), ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year; and Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year.

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Phil Keaggy was also honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his career achievements. ASCAP's Michael Martin spoke of Keaggy and his "incredible career," noting that his "influence on both the contemporary Christian and mainstream music markets is immeasurable."

West, a multiple ASCAP Christian Song of the Year winner, West has four No. 1 hits and is a four-time GRAMMY nominee.

Glover, who received his third ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award, wrote six of the year's most-performed songs: Sidewalk Prophet's "Live Like That"; For King and Country's "The Proof of Your Love" and "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)"; Group 1 Crew's "He Said"; Chris August's "Center of It"; and Britt Nicole's "All This Time." Glover has 20 No. 1 hits on the Christian and country charts, and he has multiple Dove Awards nominations.

Along with his ASCAP song honor, Redman won two GRAMMYs earlier this year in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Song and Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance categories for "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)," his first No. 1 hit.

ASCAP Publisher of the Year honors went to CCMG for the 10th consecutive year. CCMG's 11 hits were honored as most-played songs, including Redman's "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"; Chris August's "Center of It"; and Britt Nicole's "All This Time."

 
Operation Christmas Child book proceeds to support the shoe box ministry Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 10:30 AM America/New_York

Proceeds from Franklin Graham's book Operation Christmas Child, to be released Oct. 1 by B&H Publishing Group, will go to support the ministry.

Subtitled "A Story of Simple Gifts" and co-written by Donna Lee Toney, the photo-filled book is a 20th-anniversary celebration of Operation Christmas Child (OCC), which has delivered shoe boxes in more than 130 countries to more than 100 million children suffering from poverty, disaster, disease and war.

Since 1993, many Christian retailers, including LifeWay Christian Stores, have taken part annually in Graham's Samaritan's Purse program?which collects shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children.

B&H Publishing Group President Selma Wilson and Trade Book Publisher Jennifer Lyell visited Peru earlier this year to distribute OCC shoe boxes. At a special B&H gathering last month, Wilson and Lyell shared their experiences, as did guest speaker Livia Satterfield, an orphan whose life was impacted by OCC.

Growing up in a Romanian orphanage where living conditions were very poor, Satterfield wanted to own a set of hair clips, which she received in an OCC shoe box along with toys, personal hygiene items and a two-part friendship heart necklace—one heart to wear and another for her to give away.

Satterfield gave the second heart to the woman who delivered the box to her and who would eventually return to Romania to adopt her.

"It was no coincidence those hair clips were on the top of the items in the box," Wilson told B&H employees. "God was there when that shoe box was packed for that little girl. God changes lives with something that simple."

During the gathering, B&H packed 50 OCC shoe boxes.