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Consumers annually buy about $4.63 billion in Christian products. Christian retail sales account for more than 52 percent of these sales. That means Christian stores sell more Christian products than all the
general market stores, discounters, warehouse clubs, and direct sales, according to the CBA.

As industry transition and opportunity collide, Christian Retailing magazine is repeating its popular Retailing ReBoot event this fall.

Retailing ReBoot West is set for Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 17-18 at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif. The event will include presentations, discussions, networking sessions and business meetings to help stores deal with the changes the industry is facing and prepare for the important Christmas season.

Cottonwood Church is home to Cottonwood Bookstore. Bookstore manager Rose Seeley says the April Retailing ReBoot event in Orlando gave her “more practical information and ideas than I have ever got from any one show I have been to.”

Retailers from independent and church stores and suppliers come together to discuss trends and challenges, share insights and ideas, and explore new products and opportunities in an informal, cooperative spirit. The focus is on how to help “reboot” stores for the future.

Megachurch Pastor Zachery Tims’ congregation has called a special meeting to address rumors and speculation surrounding his weekend death in a New York City hotel room.

In an email obtained by Charisma News, New Destiny Christian Center staff has asked the congregation to come together on Monday evening:

“Today has been filled with rumors and speculations regarding Pastor Zach. We are having a meeting on tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 15th at 7:00pm. Please join us. We look forward to seeing you there.”

New York City police are probing Tims’ death. The W Hotel’s housekeeping staff found Tims dead on the floor of his hotel room, according to the Orlando Sentinel. It is not clear how long he was dead before the maids discovered his body, or the purpose of his trip to Manhattan.

New Destiny has more than 7,500 members that call a $34 million campus their church home. The ministry was rocked after Tims admitted to an extramarital affair, which ended in divorce in 2009.

Megachurch
Pastor Zachery Tims, 42, of New Destiny Christian Center died in a New York City
hotel room on Aug. 12. The rumored death of the Orlando-area pastor set the
social media world ablaze this weekend. Now, condolences are pouring in through
the same web 2.0 channels that first broadcast the news.

Even
as Charisma News works to confirm rumors related to Tims’ cause of death in a W
Hotel room in Times Square, support for his family and eulogies are flooding his
Facebook page. The medical examiner has not yet announced the cause of death. However, New York City police said there will not be a criminal
investigation.

“Words
cannot fully express the depth of my sorrow that I feel at this moment in time
having lost our shepherd, Dr. Zachary Tims. While I do not question God I am
simply perplexed,” writes Travis Warren. “I thank God for using DOC to show me
and the world that it was cool to be young, gifted, and be connected with a
great Church like New Destiny. RIP DOC, you will be truly missed for an
eternity. Thanks for keeping it oh so REAL!”

In
1996, Tims envisioned a ministry that “transcends beyond the normal religious
traditions of man.” Being sent from his Baltimore church, Tims and his family
moved to Orlando and planted a congregation with six members. That was the birth
of the multicultural New Destiny Christian Center.

“I
just watched his sermon ‘Just Get Up’ and it moved me so much. I was going to
bring my teenage daughter to church. I believed he would appeal to her as
well…I am so saddened to hear the news. He seemed to have such a promising
future. My condolences to his family as well as his church family,” writes
Shappelle Harris.

New
Destiny’s Sunday Worship Services and messages are seen worldwide in over 100
million homes daily through radio and television broadcast. Tims was often a
special guest or host on the Trinity Broadcasting
Network’s Praise the Lord. He penned the story of his salvation and deliverance from addictions
in It’s Never Too Late.

“My
heart is saddened by the news,” writes Patricia Henderson. “A great soldier in
the Lord has been called home. I’m praying for the NDCC family and that God
heals your hearts. My prayer is that you continue to operate in excellence as
you move forward.”

An “anti-gay” church controversy that’s been brewing has finally become frothy.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has canceled his speech at an influential megachurch in Illinois. The decision comes as a response to a Change.org petition that cast anti-gay aspersions on the congregation. At the same time, a Christian group that opposes homosexuality is also picketing the church.

The Change.org petition accused Willow Creek Community Church of “anti-gay persecution” based on its past association with Exodus International, a Christian ministry that works to help gays and lesbians leave homosexuality. Meanwhile, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is upset because Willow Creek, an evangelical church in South Barrington, Ill., broke ties with Exodus in 2009.

The Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is holding what it calls a “peaceful sign vigil” outside Will Creek during its Global Leadership Summit, whose past speakers have included President Bill Clinton, pop singer Bono and GE’s Jack Welch.

The banners read, “Is Willow Creek Qualified to Lead?” and “Willow Creek Caves to Gay Activist Pressure” in a move to highlight what it perceives as the influential megachurchs’ failure to boldly proclaim the gospel’s life-changing truth.

“Christians across the nation were stunned to learn that Willow Creek had abandoned its friendly working relationship with Exodus International, the world’s largest ‘ex-gay’ ministry,” says Americans for Truth About Homosexuality President Peter LaBarbera. “Worse, the break came in 2009, shortly after Willow Creek’s leaders met with Soulforce, a homosexual activist group. Soulforce activists target megachurches and Christian ministries like Focus on the Family—demanding a politicized ‘dialogue’ even as they accuse leaders who defend the Bible’s clear, historic prohibition of homosexuality of ‘spiritual violence.'”

Bill Hybels, pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church, told USA Today that Willow Creek does expect its members to follow biblical ethics and reserve sex for marriage between a man and a woman, but welcomes worshippers of all backgrounds.

“To suggest that we check sexual orientation or any other kind of issue at our doors is simply not true,” Hybels told USA Today. “Just ask the hundreds of people with same-sex attraction who attend our church every week.”

Watch a video of Hybels announcing Schultz’s withdrawal below.

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By the time many of
you receive this, Congress may have found a solution to the current
debt-ceiling crisis. The immediate danger may be averted—temporarily.

The real issue, however, isn’t the budget, the debt ceiling or
anything else, as much as it is a philosophical battle over the
direction of the country. This is the root of the intransigence and
increasing bitterness exhibited by both parties.

People
defend philosophies more vehemently than they do money. It’s like
defending one’s religion as one side against the other claims to be
the only source of truth. And make no mistake, politics and political
ideology have the force of religion in America.

For this
reason, no matter what solution Washington comes up with to deal with
the immediate crisis, the danger will not have passed. The battles
and the paralyses will continue well into the future on this and
other issues—progressives versus conservatives, neither side
willing to concede anything to the other, and each characterizing the
opposition as evil. The debates will remain bitter and accusatory
while our president appears ever more impotent to provide the
leadership necessary to carry us through.

Some
months ago I prophesied a serious third-year crisis at the
presidential level that would profoundly impact the nation for years
to come. One would have to be blind not to see it shaping up in
current events. At that time I called us to urgent prayer concerning
this. I do so again.

In writing all of this, I am not being
political. I am rather pointing out the deeply divided condition of
our nation. Divisions range from politics to religion to race. Not
since the Civil War have we seen so many fractures in so many places
at such deep levels. We are no longer “one nation” and no
longer does our nation regard itself to be “under God” in
any effective sense.

The
bad news is that we are beyond healing. Certain trends have been
allowed to go too far unchecked, and we now live with a shattered
national consciousness and a broken sense of who we are as a
people.

This situation requires a change of strategy on the
part of Christians. We cannot make America what it once was. The
America many of us grew up with and came to love is gone forever. We
must therefore surrender our bitterness and anger over this state of
affairs and deal with the situation as it is rather than as we
believe it once was or how we would like it to be.

I have
long since surrendered the idea that we are a Christian nation or
that we will return to any kind of admission we were ever such. I
refuse to debate whether we ever truly were. What is important is my
nation, my true citizenship is the church of Jesus Christ, and I will
direct my prophetic cries to her heart. She is black, white, brown,
Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian and Slavic, to mention a few. I
cannot and will not confuse my loyalties by making my love of America
a point of faith.

Use your vote in the coming days to express
your conscience in the political realm but invest your truest effort
in strengthening the Lord’s bride and bringing about her health. This
is a struggle we can win. The storm is coming, icebergs lie ahead,
Titanic will sink because no one has the power to turn the ship, and
we, the church, must be ready with lifeboats and supplies and lights
to dispel the darkness and secure spiritual homes to rescue those who
will be drowning as the ship founders.

I’ve been on record
saying that it won’t be as bad as many are saying, but it will
certainly be bad enough. For us who have prepared ourselves and our
churches effectively, it will be the moment of glory as God increases
His acts of mercy, His demonstrations of power and His love through
us who will step forward boldly and with passion.

This
is our time to rise and shine, not to join the world in fear and
depression. The world will hurt as increasing sin bears its
inevitable fruit in destruction. Many will cry out to be saved. We
must be ready.

Let the “sons of God” (Rom. 8:18-19)
who have absorbed His nature and character (Rom. 8:29) arise at last
as the earth suffers the birth pangs of the coming kingdom of God.

R. Loren Sandford is the founder and senior pastor of New Song Fellowship in Denver. He is a songwriter, recording artist and worship leader, as well as the author of several books, including Understanding Prophetic People, The Prophetic Church and his latest, Renewal for the Wounded Warrior, which are available with other resources at the church’s website.

So much for stabilizing the markets with a Federal Reserve
promise to keep interest rates low. Europe’s debt problems are sending a ripple
effect through U.S. stock markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial average declined 519 points, or 4.6
percent, on Wednesday. The dip marks the third time in the last five trading
days that the Dow has lost more than 500 points. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq dropped
101 points, or 4.1 percent, and the S&P 500 is down 51 points, or 4.4
percent.

But now is no time to panic. So says Dave Ramsey, a nationally syndicated radio show host
discussing personal finance topics. Ramsey has launched what he calls “The
Great Recovery,” a grassroots movement spread by people who are tired of
looking to Washington for answers.

“I know that the recent
media coverage about the economy and the fall in the stock market scares
investors, but the smartest thing you can do right now is hold on to your
investments. Do not cash them out. That’s what I’m doing,” Ramsey said in an
email sent to Charisma News.

Ramsey has a lot of money
invested in the American economy through growth stock mutual funds. But despite
the fears on Wall Street this week, he is not touching those funds. Rather, he
says he’s riding the market roller coaster to the very end.

“People who make money in
the stock market are the ones who think long term and don’t jump in and out
based on the market fluctuations. Market
timing is trying to predict when to add or withdraw your money in the
market. Historically, it doesn’t work,” Ramsey says. “After all, the only way
to get hurt on a roller coaster is to jump off! However, staying invested
ensures that my investments won’t miss those best-performing days.”

Ramsey takes a long-term
view. As he sees it, people who hold on to their current mutual funds will look
like geniuses 10 years from now. Even if you’re almost old enough to retire, he
advises people not to cash out now.

“I understand you’re scared, but think this through. If you’re 65 years old at
retirement, you’re not going to take all of your money out at one time,” Ramsey
says. “You will gradually take money out of your accounts and over the course
of your retirement, your money will still have time to grow.

“So, even if you
want to retire, you’re better off leaving your 401(k) or IRA alone. Keep
thinking long term. That’s what I’m doing. I’m not cashing out. I believe the
market and my mutual funds will be okay. And 10 years from now, it will have
been a great decision.”

AP Images: Orange County Register, Ana Venegas

The Crystal Cathedral’s creditors aren’t backing down. The creditors have made it clear that the megachurch property will be sold whether or not the Schuller family agrees, according to United Press International.

The California church was believing God for a $50 million fundraising miracle, but creditors filed a plan in federal bankruptcy court in Santa Ana, Calif., on Tuesday calling for the sale.

Creditors want at least $50 million, The Orange County Register reported. The plan would reportedly allow the Schullers to lease the 3,000-seat building from the buyer.

In related news, The Roman Catholic diocese of Orange County is now leading all bidders at $53.6 million and Chapman University has upped its offer to $50 million. The creditors will still allow Crystal Cathedral to choose the buyer, as long as the bid totals $50 million or more.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.

A large arts and crafts retailer known for its philanthropic support of Christian causes has offered to purchase the Crystal Cathedral Garden Grove, Calif., property for $47.5 million.

If the bid is successful, the Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby would lease the property to The King’s University for a year and then donate it to the university. The King’s University is a Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible college and seminary of which Jack Hayford is founder.

“Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. offered the Crystal Cathedral Board of Directors $47.5 million to purchase the Crystal Cathedral property,” says Mart Green, the vice chairman of the board for the retailer and son of founder David Green. “Although Hobby Lobby believes its offer is adequate to pay in full all secured, priority and trade creditors, such an allocation of sale proceeds is not a closing condition. Our offer is in cash, which allows for creditors to be paid back as soon as a sale is completed.”

The offer comes despite the Crystal Cathedral Ministries’ announcement last week that it is no longer for sale. Founded by Robert H. Schuller, the megachurch filed Chapter 11 in October and owes about $50 million to creditors and vendors.

“For years, Crystal Cathedral Ministries helped people grow in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe we have a plan involving other entities that would continue that legacy,” Green explains. “These entities have missions that are consistent with the biblical principles on which we run our company.” 

 The King’s University, which Hayford launched in 1997 in Van Nuys, Calif., would welcome the donation if the court accepts this offer, a board member from The King’s told Charisma News, adding that The King’s mission is to raise up a new generation of Spirit-filled leaders for the 21st century.

Hayford and Schuller have been ministry colleagues and personal friends for many years.

“As a possible solution to exit their bankruptcy filing, representatives from The King’s University and Crystal Cathedral Ministries met several times to discuss the possibility of locating the university on the Crystal Cathedral campus,” The King’s said in a statement offered to Charisma News. “Out of those discussions, the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, was contacted and asked if they had interest in making an offer to purchase the campus to preserve it for ministry.”

In its statement, The King’s pointed out that the other offers before the judge include having the Crystal Cathedral Ministry moving to another facility. By contrast, The King’s offer is unique in that it allows the ministry to continue using the facility permanently on a lease basis at the same time as the university.

“Last week the board of Crystal Cathedral Ministries said the property is not for sale and will ask donors for the money to pay off its debts,” The King’s said in its statement. “The King’s understands and respects the decision of the CCM board to ask donors to step forward and preserve the ministry structure as it now exists.”

The offer is one of at least five now before the bankruptcy judge who is to decide in September which offer to take.

Green says before Hobby Lobby submitted a formal proposal, ownership sought and received the blessings of the Schuller family in regard to purchasing the Crystal Cathedral property.

“Our family has extensive experience assisting ministries whose mission is to spread good across the nation and the world,” Green says. “The one constant in each case is that we only proceed in partnerships when we have the blessing of all parties involved.”

AP Images/David J. Phillip

Despite protestors who traveled across Texas to picket what they viewed as a hate-based event—and despite the Unitarian church offering its alternative to the controversial event less than four miles away—more than 30,000 saints gathered in Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Saturday for The Response: a call to prayer for a nation in crisis prayer.

And with no distance in the spirit, many more viewed the service streaming live and prayed along with Texas Governor Rick Perry, IHOP’s Luis and Jill Cataldo, Somebody Cares America’s Doug Stringer, Skyline Weslyan Church Senior Pastor Jim Garlow and other charismatic leaders.

Now, this body of believers is waiting on God’s response to the repentance, weeping, mourning, worshipping and fervent prayer.

“Still in awe of our Lord and overwhelmed by His mercies and grace today at The Response. Humbled to have been able to be a part,” Stringer posted to his Facebook friends.

At the event Perry, whom many expect to throw his hat into the 2012 presidential candidate ring, prayed: “Lord, You are the source of every good thing, You are our only hope. And we stand before You today in awe of your power, and in gratitude for Your blessings; in humility for our sins.

“Father, our heart breaks for America. We see discord at home. We see fear in the marketplace. We see anger in the halls of government. And as a nation we have forgotten Who made us, Who protects us, Who blesses us, and for that we cry out for Your forgiveness.

“We pray for our nation’s leaders, Lord—for parents, for pastors, for the generals, for governors—that You would inspire them in these difficult times. Father, we pray for our president, that You would impart Your wisdom upon him, that You would guard his family. We pray for our military and the families who love them. Father, especially for those special operators who lost their life yesterday in defending our freedoms.

“You call us to repent, Lord, and this day is our response. We give it all to You. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen and amen.”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott sent a videotaped message, but Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback was the only other governor in attendance. “Loving God, forgive us our many sins: for being judgmental, unloving, focused on ourselves, lacking in mercy, hypocritical,” he prayed. “We are sinful and flawed; use us anyway, by and for your glory and purposes that we may all live quiet and peaceful lives. We need you. America needs you. I pray this in your name.”

What’s your take on The Response? Will God hear the cries and heal the land of the repentant saints?

After plenty of persecution—and even legal challenges—tens of thousands are gathering this morning for worship at Houston’s Reliance Stadium for Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s The Response: a call to prayer for a nation in crisis prayer.

“Not yet 10 a.m. and well over 20,000 already worshipping at the Response! We officially start at 10. PTL!!” Doug Stringer, founder of Somebody Cares America and a Response leader, posted to his Facebook friends.

You can watch the event streaming live at The Response.

The second chapter of Joel calls for a people to return to the Lord with all their heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. When the dust settles and the inflammatory words about Perry and his supporters subside, Christian leaders are believing The Response will spark lasting change in America—from the pulpits to the political landscape and beyond.

Stay tuned to Charisma News for post-event coverage.