Christian retailers can find ways to boost their traffic by taking a closer look at some of their sales data.

That is the advice from retailer and software developer Mike Guido, who says that it is becoming more and more critical for stores to drill down into information available through their P.O.S. systems.

The Parable Group's franchise operation has been recognized for the second consecutive year.

Leading franchise publication Franchise Times identified Parable Franchising as one of its “Fast 55, ” ranking the fastest growing franchises in the nation based on average unit growth in the preceding five-year period. The 2009 Fast 55 list appears in the March edition of Franchise Times magazine.

David 'Pop' Winans, the patriarch of the multi-award winning Winans Family musical dynasty, died yesterday in a Nashville hospice. He was 74, and had suffered a heart attack and stroke in October last year.

Raised in the Church of God in Christ in Detroit, Winans sang and played saxophone and clarinet in groups as a young man. After marrying Delores Ransom in 1953, he worked multiple jobs to support the couple's 10 children but also found time to be active in his local community.

LifeWay Christian Stores has named former pastor William McGregor as its 2009 Store Manager of the Year for his leadership of the chain's outlet in Hurst, Texas. The award is based on criteria including financial performance, customer service feedback, leadership and operational efficiency.

McGregor has strong leadership skills and an "incredible drive for excellence with the desire that God receive glory in everything he does," said David Pigg, western region director for LifeWay Christian Stores. "This drive filters down to his staff and together they provide strong customer service. He is proactive in his management, anticipating needs and addressing problems in order to provide the best experience possible for each customer."

Colorado-based NavPress has announced a restructuring of its operations, which includes dropping the print versions of its Discipleship Journal and Pray! magazines and the elimination of nine positions.

“It is no secret that we are all in the midst of some very challenging times in our economy and the publishing industry,” said Michael D. Miller, president of NavPress. “Magazine publishing has been hit hard. The Internet has been dealing a blow to print media for years. Then the economic downturn—it was like a one-two punch.”

Traylor is the former president of the Benson Company. During his career, Traylor signed artists such as Sandi Patty and Dino. Traylor also founded two record labels: Riversong Records and Homeland Records-the record company for The Cathedrals, The Hoppers, The Bishops, The Dove Brothers, Gold City Quartet and other Southern gospel groups.

Sky Angel Chief Marketing Officer Bill Dykes said Traylor's "expertise complements our subscription service offering as we promote the best Christian television programming lineup available anywhere."