A major era in the Christian products industry has ended with the departure of the head of the Christian retailers organization, Bill Anderson.

His resignation as president and CEO of CBA after a quarter of a century was announced by the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based group Friday evening. No reason was given for his leaving.

In the CBA statement announcing the move, Anderson, who is 61, said it had been an honor to serve at CBA. "Christian retail has been given a high and holy calling and we must be faithful to God and His Word," he said. "CBA plays a vital role in this industry, and the industry has a vital role in the kingdom."

CBA chairman-elect George Thomsen said that Anderson's "vision, statesmanship and Christian witness have been key components in the growth of Christian retail."

CBA board chairman Jim Whitaker, owner of New Life Christian Stores in Lynchburg, Va., also resigned Friday, citing the increased time demands that would come along with managing the transition process.

In its formal statement announcing the changes, CBA said that Anderson's successor would be named "at a later time," with the association's work continuing under the leadership of Thomsen, the board executive committee and the staff leadership team.

Joining CBA in 1978 as the association's first full-time convention manager, Anderson became president in 1985 and led the association through Christian retailing's boom years, which saw attendance for the organization's summer show peak at almost 15,000 in 1999.

Since then with increased competition from multiple channels, CBA has seen a slew of member-store closures and falling attendance at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). CBA replaced its dwindling winter trade show in 2008 with an industry conference, ending that this year.

At its peak, CBA had a staff of around 50. The organization has cut its workforce twice this year, losing longtime COO Dorothy Gore in May and more recently trimming its full-time staff to 10. ICRS 2010 is due to be in St. Louis, June 27-30.

Thomsen told Christian Retailing today that a timeline had not yet been set for choosing a replacement for Anderson. "That is something that the board needs to look at, but we want to make sure that we don't rush."

Evangelical Christian Publishers Association President and CEO Mark Kuyper--who formerly worked with Anderson at CBA--said that Anderson had "served this industry as an eloquent spokesman, inspirational leader and spiritual guide."

Retailers, suppliers, industry leaders, what are your thoughts on Bill Anderson's departure from CBA? What do you think it means for the organization, the industry and the International Christian Retail Show? Leave your comments below.

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