Bridging the Gap

The Customer is....God

Let's be clear right off the bat. The customer is not a god, but is, in my opinion, the I AM. He is our customer. Why do I say that?

Everyday people enter Christian bookstores across America and abroad and sometimes on the internet. God draws them to use resources that affect their lives and the lives of others. Our stores are one avenue He uses to do that. So at the end of the day God is walking into our stores. He is browsing the shelves and drawing people to particular products that will accomplish His purposes.

Honestly, what else can explain someone walking into a store, purchasing a product to give to someone, and the result being a life-changing decision for faith in Christ? Who, other than God, could make all of that happen?

Into the Storm

Buffalo are notorious for standing and facing into the winds of a storm.  They don't run, they face the storm head on.   That is what its like in Christian retail sometimes.  For the sake of the ministry accomplished in our stores, we must face the storm head on. 

I am so thankful for the many comments to my previous post.  It is great to see so much support for the ministry of Christian retailing. 

Does God Need Christian Retail?

It is a big question and one in which I need your input.  Since 1815, it is estimated that between 5.5 and 6.0 billion Bibles have been printed.  That estimate may be low.  The church around the world continues to grow at a rapid rate. Churches utilize an array of resources to minister to and shepherd their congregations. What is the role of Christian retail in helping the church accomplish its mission?  What role does Christian retail play in God's work in the lives of individuals?  Does God need Christian retail?

While my opinion may be biased in this regard, I am looking for input and comments from anyone willing to dialog on this topic over the next few weeks. Does God need Christian retail? 

The Long Wait

My family and I are two years into an adoption wait.  My wife, 3 sons and I began this Journey in May of 2005.  It was supposed to be an 8-12 month process.  That has turned out not to be the case.

We bought our expected daughter her third Christmas ornament this year.  My wife has been purchasing the Christopher Radko Adoption Ornaments for 3 years now.  We collect an ornament for each of our children each year.  In November of 2005 we thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to get her an ornament, and next year she can hang it on the tree?"  Well she now has three to hang. We are praying the fourth will be bought while she is here.

It has been an exercise in patience to understand this process.  Balancing the longing in our hearts for this little one that we don't even know, with the fact that we are waiting, waiting, and waiting.   God called us to this journey, but the path has been trying.

This is my year of hope.  I am anxious for this change in our home.  I would ask you to pray for expediency in the days ahead.  I am looking forward to what God will bring in this new year.  And above all, I pray he brings and end to the long wait.

Christmas is about change

It is no secret that retail is tough for many businesses this Christmas season.  I remain optimistic about the finish to our selling season at Berean as Christmas has moved another day down the road this year.  However, I was reminded about the impact of the season by another retailer recently, Hobby Lobby . 

Christmas and a Rabbit

After almost 20 years in retail it is amazing how quickly the Christmas season passes.  December becomes a blur as the demands of doing the business of retail takes control.  On the one hand it is incredibly rewarding to know that vast amounts of ministry driven product will end up in the hands of people all over the world each Christmas.  That is one of the reasons I do what I do.  On the other hand, the human  side of me ends up being flat-out exhausted.  For the employees who are actually in the store on a daily basis this is only amplified many times over.  Being on your feet all day long can tend to numb mind and body.  I admire those who staff the stores; in their willingness to endure.

I have a favorite story that I read each year to any who will listen.  The story is called  Barrington Bunny and it is in a little book called The Way of the Wolf, copyrighted the year I was born. Barrington reminds me of what Christmas is truly about.  The real story is much better than my summary and I have left out enough detail that it will seem full of life if you decide to buy the book and read the whole thing.

The facts?

One of the hardest things to teach my children is that they should not accept things at face value.  Ideas and theories are espoused as fact, and when not questioned, can result in a misguided youth (or a misguided adult for that matter).

This came to mind recently when I read an article on Wired .  The article called, "Big Bang or Big Goof" , deals with an astronomer who is calling into question a discovery that deals with the age of the universe.  I immediately thought of what a great example this would be for my sons.  I shared it with them one evening recently.

Thanksgiving Food?

 

I just got back from a busy Thanksgiving weekend. I am sure many of you did as well. My family spent the holiday in

Louisville, KY

with the Simmons side of the family. We went the untraditional route of having dinner on Friday afternoon, due to the late arrival of some family members.

 

At dinner, all of my favorite menu items were served just to my liking. I could have been satisfied just eating the marshmallows off the top of the sweet potato casserole. We all have our favorite holiday dishes and traditions, but its not these traditional items that I’m thinking about today.

Building a Bridge

The first blog post is likely the most odd.  Where to begin... 

My objective here is to communicate over time my thoughts about retail, (specifically in the Christian products industry ), how ministry is happening in the world today, and the connection of those two things.  It is a broad topic; one I hope you will engage in. 

I am the President of a 25 store chain of retail stores called Berean Christian Stores .  This company is over 70 years old and has stores in 7 states.  Berean is a company with a long tradition of serving people as they have both searched for God and have sought to serve him.

Why are there Christian retail stores?  Do they serve any purpose?  Is it ministry if profit is made?  Why should people buy products at a Christian retail store?  These are the kinds of questions I plan on discussing.