Volunteer training and care is one of the keys to the success of Saving Grace Bookstore at the 18,000-member Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.

Manager Andrica Hamilton arranges presentations to help equip staff for service, such as a recent morning seminar about the history of the Bible, facilitated by a respected teacher from the congregation.

The Love Dare by Fireproof movie-making brothers Stephen and Alex Kendrick (B&H Books/B&H Publishing Group) was still No. 1 on CBA’s February 2009’s Top 50 best-sellers list. Books on Christian living and marriage as well as some novels also rounded out the top 10.

A main focus of the surprise hit drama, The Love Dare is followed by 2. The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media/Hachette Book Group USA); 3. The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren (Howard/Simon & Schuster); 4. What in the World Is Going On? by David Jeremiah (Thomas Nelson); 5. Multiple Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin (Zondervan); 6. Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan); 7. Believing God Day-By-Day by Beth Moore (B&H Publishing Group); 8. Cast of Characters by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson); Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (Thomas Nelson); and  10. Grace for the Moment Morning &  Evening Edition by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson).

Despite cold weather and a down economy, vendors sales and retailer attendance increased for the  only bargain show for the Christian book industry, according to organizers.

Held Jan. 14-16 at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel in Nashville, the Inspirational Value Book Show (IVBS) drew 20 exhibitors—up from 16 vendors who participated at the inaugural show last year. Meanwhile, the event attracted 65 stores and 106 representatives, compared to 41 stores and 65 representatives from the 2008 show.

More than 200 independent retailers and 80 suppliers recently took part in the Munce Group’s Christian Product Expo (CPE) Hershey, formerly called CPE Regionals East.

Despite economic hard times, CPE Hershey—held Jan. 11-13 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.—drew nearly an identical number of retailers as the 2008 show, Munce officials said.

The Christian product industry’s trade show calendar is being rewritten for 2009 because of the continuing economic slowdown. Organizers have postponed, scrapped and shortened planned events.

Meanwhile, several retailers, suppliers and publishers contacted by Christian Retailing have said they will skip or cut back their presence at trade shows.