Most Christian retail stores carry less inventory today than they did two years ago, and some of them are looking at what is on their shelves with more scrutiny than ever before, in light of the changing market.

Online purchasing is one of the main factors affecting what has long been championed as one of Christian retailers' greatest strengths—backlist—according to the results of Christian Retailing's latest Vital Signs industry survey.

Zondervan reports seeing a good reception for its updated New International Version (NIV), which went on sale in stores March 1.

“Retail sell-in and acceptance has been very strong,” said company spokesperson Tara Powers. The products have only been on store shelves for a short time, so it was too early to share any sales information, she said, but “our sales reps are receiving very positive feedback from stores.

The growing Christian film industry is to be spotlighted during the world's biggest electronic media convention.

In partnership with the faith-based 168 Film Project, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has scheduled a daylong Faith ’N’ Film Summit in Las Vegas on April 10, ahead of the opening of the exhibition floor at the NAB Show in the city, running through April 14.

Self-publisher Schiel & Denver (S&D) has named five Christian books that have made an impact on political thought.

The Houston-based company polled to examine the role of “how Christian literature has affected governmental decision-making inside the ‘inner belt’ of Congress and played a part in our great nation's continued development as Christianity resonates in U.S. politics at all levels.”

Heading the list was The Faith of Barack Obama by Stephen Mansfield, published by Thomas Nelson in 2008. It “examines the 44th U.S. president's intellectual faith journey, with critical analysis and insightful comparisons to President George W. Bush,” S&D said.

Next was Does God Believe in Atheists by John Blanchard (Evangelical Press, 2000). Noted for allegedly being amongst the reading matter of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford in the wake of his extramarital-affair scandal, the book is cited for its “easy writing style and comprehensive approach to redemption and faith exploration.” 

Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader by Joe Hilley (Zondervan, 2008), is said to be a “fascinating and in-depth biography” and “the book that many Americans first turned towards to learn more about the story of Sarah Palin at a critical time in her public career during the 2008 election.”

Nancy Pearcey’s Total Truth: Liberating Christianity From Its Cultural Captivity (Crossway Books, 2004) “has made an undeniable impact on how American evangelicals in Congress have re-examined their place in the secular/sacred divide.” The book “lays the foundation for how Christian educators can address the dissemination of the gospel through Christian schools and ministries across the United States.”

Also on the list is Breakfast With Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House Publishers, 2003), which S&D says “provides an inspirational and brilliantly written analysis that should be required reading for all Christian schools and universities.”

Rising Christian rock band Hyland has appealed for help in keeping its show on the road after the theft of equipment on the eve of a major tour.

The four-piece from Elk River, Minn., had its trailer containing all its instruments and gear stolen from the parking lot of the band members' church, The Crossing. With a single, “This Love Is Free,” getting airplay in radio and a debut album out in May, the group is due to start a monthlong tour with Fireflight soon.

Since the theft was featured in a local FOX News TV report, the band has received $5,000 in donations towards the $20,000 loss. “Hyland has never before asked for money. Ever,” said singer Jon Lewis. “Rarely do we even ask for favors. We are not that kind of band.

“We believe in earning our keep, working hard and paying it forward, but this is different. We can’t just get on the road and make this back. We don’t have anything to sell.”

Tooth & Nail Records is due to release Hyland’s Weights & Measures on May 3.

More and more churches fed up with Hollywood fare are making their own movies—clik here for details in our Industry Radar roundup of other media's reporting on the Christian products world.

Aiming to sail her way into the record books, Abby Sunderland found herself in the headlines instead when her round-the-world effort ended in disaster.

Now the 16-year-old has told the story of her dramatic 12,000-mile journey in Unsinkable: A Young Woman’s Courageous Battle on the High Seas, releasing next month from Thomas Nelson.

Written with New York Times best-selling co-author Lynn Vincent, the $22.99 book recounts how Sunderland was shipwrecked nearly 2,000 miles east of Madagascar.

“The morning after I rolled I was sitting on my chart desk, and I was starting to think a little bit too much about what was happening, so I prayed, and just seconds after I prayed, a huge plane flew over me,” Sunderland recalled.

“It’s said that at some point in any sailor’s life, they are going to reach their limit and they’re going to reach their breaking point and call on the Lord—and that was mine there. He came through for me. I’d been a strong Christian throughout my whole trip and came out an even stronger one in the end.”

The teenager hopes that her story will inspire others to “see that you can follow your dreams. Things don’t always work out, but it’s good to go for it.”

Read more in the April issue of Christian Retailing.