TR A NG DI A GR UP he i nd us a ou i nge i ps at www. ch ri ti anretai ling.c om ECEMBER 01 $7 .00 CHRISTIAN RETAILING Boom time for biographies Led by an unlikely success, a traditionally sluggish genre is enjoying a new lease on life, page 32 and for DVDs Retailers sbare lessons on making the most of the home entertainment category, page 38 READ BY THE SUPPLIERS AND RETAILERS OF THE $4.6 BILLION CHRISTIAN PRODUCTS INDUSTRY INDUSTRY NEWS 19 BOOK NEWS 22 TOP SELLERS 24 BOOK REVIEWS 28 PRODUCT BRIEFINGS 32 BIOGRAPHIES 36 MYSTERY SHOPPER ROUNDUP 38 DVD ROUNDTABLE 40 INDUSTRY FORUM 42 VIEWPOINT must be readers?or A renewed love for books is an essential part of a successful store, page 40 Property exemption challenge seen as crucial to future of church-based retail A NDY UTCHER Church store faces tax test church bookstore in Nashville is at the center of a legal battle being viewed as a major test case for religious freedom. Authorities have ruled that For His Glory Bookstore at Christ Church is not eligible for property tax exemption and owes a portion of $350,000 in dues dating back to 2004. Leaders have warned that if the ruling?under appeal?is upheld, it could set a precedent for church bookstores and other church ministries not only in Tennessee, but also in other parts of the country. The dispute has turned the judicial spotlight on a church founded in TAX, page 10 At Christ Church in Nashville, (left to right) For His Glory Bookstore Manager Katy Mashburn, Senior Pastor Dan Scott and Church Administrator Linda Hilliard. An new look for of the digital era live events tours are a RIC IANSAY An of new-look live events twinning music and speaking is being welcomed by industry leaders as how consumers will engage with content in the digital era. Observers say the idea of putting authors and musicians together is innovative to connect with Christian audiences in a relevant manner, while driving product sales to the Christian retail channel. Among those taking part in the events is Max Lucado, whose latest Thomas Nelson book?Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference?debuted on the New York Times Hardcover Advice best-seller list in October. Lucado spoke during the Make A Difference Tour 2010, for which sponsors included World Vision, Thomas Nelson and AEG Live. The tour?which also featured Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Jason Gray and Third Day?hit 20 cities from late September through the end of October. Meanwhile, best-selling author Donald Miller joined artists Derek Webb, LIVE EVENTS, page 13 ER SP ECTI VE Merrier hopes for holiday season Stores, suppliers with forecasts for a good Christmas RIC IANSAY Although the recession is still impacting shoppers, Christian retailers, suppliers and publishers are hoping for a little merrier holiday season this year. Several are expecting an increase in Christmas sales over 2009?which yielded mixed results for the retail industry as the downturned economy, double-digit unemployment and a major winter storm hampered business. Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has predicted that Christmas sales will rise 2.3% to $447.1 billion, about $10 billion more than last year. Britt Beemer?CEO and founder of Research Group, known for his Christian retail channel studies?called forecast a little but Though the gloom-anddoom talk of the past two years is not as pronounced, Beemer predicted very soft for retailers. But retailers should see their best CHRISTMAS, page 14 Hoping for Christmas presence A NDY UTCHER Christian Retailing DITOR As they ready themselves for the busiest season of the year, and one that could be make or break in some instances, Christian retailers are making sure that their shelves are in good shape. I hope they make the time to ensure that their selves are, too. PERSPECTIVE, page 42