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Written by Eric Tiansay
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Thursday, 22 January 2009 05:31 PM America/New_York |
- 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.
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- 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.
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- “The next time someone asks them a question about our biggest seller, the Bible, they are going to be so glad they invested the time in training,” said Hamilton. Other training sessions have focused on music and worship, according to a profile of the church bookstore operation in the latest issue of The Church Bookstore.
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- “I love my staff,” Hamilton told the magazine. “I don’t know what I’d do without them. I pray with them and for them. When my volunteers see how I interact with each of them, they carry this care on to our customers.”
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- For Pastor Byron Brazier, the 700-square-foot store that dates back to 1991, adds “additional value to our ministry. Its sole purpose is to help people grow.”
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- Because of the congregation’s size, slate of special events, commitment to community outreach and its long-time TV ministry in Chicagoland, the church attracts a steady stream of visitors. Nearly 25% of Saving Grace’s customers come from outside the congregation.
- “When we have people who come in, and I can tell they’re looking for help in their lives, I make it my business to connect them with a minister,” Hamilton said.
- Read the full “Best Practice” report in the February-March issue of The Church Bookstore.
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