A former Christian retailer is now publisher of Christian Retailing magazine. Dave Condiff, who owned Praise Unlimited in Minneapolis from 1985 to 1999, has been advertising director for Christian Retailing since 2002.

Stephen Strang, who has owned the magazine since 1986, made the appointment. "Dave has shown the leadership and has been doing the job," Strang said. "He loves the magazine and the industry. It was time to promote him."

Condiff, 53, was instrumental in launching the magazine's The Church Bookstore and Inspirational Gift Trends supplements. He also oversaw the 2005 founding of The Gathering of Church Bookstores, an annual event for church bookstores now broadened to include independent store and inspirational gift special focus elements for next year, as The Gathering 2009.

A graduate of Northwestern College in Roseville, Minn., Condiff opened Praise Unlimited in Minneapolis in 1985 and ran the store for 14 years. During that time, he was featured on Christian Retailing's Top 100 Stores list and served as a member of the board of the Gospel Music Association.

Strang writes more about Condiff in the Nov. 10 issue of Christian Retailing. He calls Condiff "a disciplined businessman with an entrepreneurial edge." His appointment would "help not only Christian Retailing grow and change in very turbulent times, but will also help the industry," developing stronger ties with trade associations, buying groups and advertisers.

Condiff said he was excited about his new role, at a time when Christian products were more widely available than ever before. "My hope is to help others in the industry evolve and discover their niche," he said. "I am especially excited about helping stores that stock products that help each of us be spiritually reproductive in our communities."

Founded in 1955 as Christian Bookseller by the now late Robert Walker, Christian Retailing gained its new name in 1986 when Strang Communications took over publication. Published 17 times a year, Christian Retailing also produces seven annual issues of The Church Bookstore and four of Inspirational Gift Trends as well as the twice-weekly newsletter Christian Etailing.

Based in Lake Mary, Fla., Strang Communications comprises the Strang Magazine Group, which also publishes Charisma, Ministry Today and Vida Cristiana, and the Strang Book Group.

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