Christian Retailing initiative
to promote support for and unity in the industry.
They have signed rallying point pledges
committing to the ministry of Christian bookselling and helping to
ensure that it continues. The effort has spread overseas, with store
and publisher representatives in the U.K. promoting the pledges
there.
The drive was launched in July by Christian
Retailing Publisher Steve Strang, as
part of a move to help stores in the face of ongoing changes in the
industry, “to encourage and equip and support them as they renew
their faith and vision.”
Store owners, managers and
frontliners are urged to renew their calling to Christian retailing,
while suppliers are invited to recognize their unique partnership
with Christian retailers and support them in any way they can.
Among the first
retailer signatories was John Desaulniers Jr., who with his two sons
recently took over Wellspring Christian Resources in Urbandale, Iowa.
“I think the pledge is a positive statement to and by our
industry,” he said. “More than half the battle for independent
Christian retailers is attitude. We must not lose sight of why we did
what we did years ago; it’s the same reason why we do what we do
today.
“The niche which independents fill is
distinct, and it’s worth reconsidering periodically.”
Desaulniers said he planned to hang
a copy of the pledge—available online for printing—in his store.
“I want it to be a reminder to our employees and an encouragement
to our customers,” he explained.
Among supplier
signatories have been representatives of Destiny Image, FaithWords,
Kregel Publications, InterVarsity Press, Standard Publishing, Warner
Press and Worthy Publishing.
Rick Tocquigny, president of card company
Artbeat of America, said he signed the suppliers pledge
because it resonated with the company’s mission and vision. The
pledge “works as rallying point as long as we stay authentically
centered on recognizing God’s voice amid the din of leadership,” he
said.
Both
pledges are open for signing at
www.christianretailing.com/signthepledge,
where a complete list of signatories can be found and a PDF of the
Christian Retailing Pledge can be downloaded for stores.
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