The resources provided by the Church Bookstore Connection Center give churches considering opening a store insight into what it takes to run a successful outreach. It also provides established stores tools to expand their current reach. Churches with successful stores use proceeds to support church ministries and operations, including local community outreach. The books and materials they carry build up congregations with educational, devotional, and family- and faith-friendly entertainment materials.
Scheduled training sessions held Monday through Wednesday will cover topics including using social media, uniting with church ministries, plus a brown-bag lunch with roundtable discussions on working with volunteers, café operations, multi-site store management, and more. The convention also offers separately numerous workshops and the Retail Academy, basic training in critical retail skills and disciplines.
The Church Store Network, an informal national group of church-store managers and staff, hosts the Connection Center. Network leaders are Susan Chipman, director of retail services at Granger Community Church in Granger, Ind., and Rachel Savage, senior director of bookstore operations at Calvary Chapel Melbourne, Melbourne, Fla.
A reception 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, June 27 in the Connection Center will feature a message from Jon Weece, “lead follower” at Southland Christian Church, a megachurch in Lexington, Ky.
CBA is a trade association for the Christian-products industry representing publishers of Bibles, books, church supplies, faith- and family-friendly entertainment, plus suppliers of inspirational gift and specialty products, and Christian media.
Registration is free to association members, and $75 to nonmembers. Registration includes access to the exhibit floor plus special general sessions and other events. Retail buyers receive additional incentives.
For more information on the Church Bookstore Connection Center, visit www.UNITE2016.com/churchstore.
Click www.UNITE2016.com for convention information, or email info@cbaonline.org.
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CBA, the Association for Christian Retail, is the global trade association for Christian-product providers and distributors. It supplies vital connections, information, education, encouragement, and advocacy to help Christian resource providers reach all people.
