Christian Retail Sales Surge 9.7% Year-Over-Year at Mid-Year Mark

(July 20, 2023) – The Christian retail industry is celebrating a significant milestone as mid-year sales data reveals a robust 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The Parable Group, a leading provider of data analysis and marketing solutions for Christian retailers, has meticulously analyzed sales and performance data reported to ParableConnect from over 220 independent Christian retailers nationwide, offering valuable insights into the market’s growth.

Amidst ongoing economic challenges, Christian retailers have displayed exceptional drive and determination. From January to June of this year, same-store sales experienced a remarkable 9.7% surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Both receipt count and units purchased experienced positive gains, with a 5.3% increase in receipts and a 1.6% rise in units sold. While it is important to acknowledge that some of this year-on-year increase can be attributed to inflationary activity, these figures signify a healthy and steady growth trend within the industry.

An intriguing highlight from the data is the distribution of sales performance among reporting stores. Of the retailers reporting to ParableConnect, a remarkable 81% reported an increase in sales during the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, while only 12% witnessed a decline. 7% of retailers reported flat sales and steady performance.

“The Christian retail industry has shown incredible tenacity and adaptability, overcoming various challenges while continuing to serve their customers with unwavering dedication,” commented Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “As we enter the second half of the year, independent Christian retailers are primed to build upon their momentum and bring the year to a successful close.”

In addition to the overall sales growth, the mid-year data also revealed the top-selling books within the Christian retail industry during the first half of 2023:

1. Jesus Calling for Moms – Sarah Young
2. Good Boundaries & Goodbyes – Lysa TerKeurst
3. Experiencing God – Henry T. Blackaby
4. Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
5. God’s Promises for Graduates: Class of 2023 – Jack Countryman
6. You’re Going to Make It – Lysa TerKeurst
7. All My Knotted Up Life – Beth Moore
8. He Gets Us – Max Lucado
9. Jesus Listens – Sarah Young
10. The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman

These books have resonated with readers, offering inspiration, guidance, and spiritual enrichment. Their popularity reaffirms the enduring demand for uplifting and faith-based books. It also illustrates Christian Retail’s commitment to legacy authors and backlist.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Randy Ross, Senior Director of Christian Retail Sales for The Parable Group, expressed optimism about the new books set to release, anticipating further increased traffic and sales in Christian bookstores. He stated, “Retailers are excited about the lineup of new books launching in Q4. Highly anticipated titles, including new releases from Christian Retail favorites like Ruth Chou Simons, Dr. David Jeremiah, and Anne Graham Lotz are expected to resonate with readers and drive significant interest, further fueling the health of Christian bookstores in 2023.”

The Parable Group, headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, has been a trusted partner to Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries for over three decades. With their wealth of experience and expertise, they connect their clients with engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders, providing invaluable insights and innovative marketing solutions. For more information, contact sally.ross@parablegroup.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

Contact: Sally Ross, (805) 329-4020, sally.ross@parablegroup.com

Prayer transforms lives every day. But for those who pray, how many truly understand its power?

Derived from material previously published in The Power of Simple Prayer, How to Talk with God (FaithWords, July 25, 2023, ISBN-13: 9781546016106) explains the keys to unanswered prayers, the hindrances to prayer’s effectiveness, and the Bible’s role in prayer.

People want to grow in their prayer lives and to see their prayers become more powerful as they pray for others and themselves. In her straightforward and profound style beloved by millions worldwide, best-selling author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer reveals the incredible force that comes through the simple act of prayer. 

In How to Talk With God, a compact digest, she gives readers a new perspective on how best to communicate with God and reveals that through prayerful conversation comes the ability to be successful in life, strong at heart, and sincere with others.

Simple prayer, powerful results.

Ada, Mich. (July 20, 2023)—Dan Baker, Chief Operating Officer for Baker Book House Company, has announced his decision to retire in early September. He will continue to remain engaged in active ownership and board involvement.

Dan joined his family-owned company in 1997 and began his career in the marketing and publicity department. He later transitioned to a special markets role and held this position until 2008 when he took on the responsibilities of the human resources manager. Dan served in this capacity for nine years and was then promoted to chief operating officer. In addition to serving on the executive leadership team, he also oversees the human resources, information technology, warehouse, production, and design departments. Dan holds a BA degree from St. Olaf College and an MBA from Western Michigan University. He also obtained the Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate.

Dan Baker’s decision was made with “the settled assurance that the company is in good hands.”  He stated, “Our team has an abundance of talent and creativity, and I’m eager to be of encouragement during and following this transition.” Baker added, “It has been a profound honor to serve alongside so many wonderful and dedicated employees during my 26 years of full-time work. While I’ll miss the daily collaboration I’ve enjoyed with my dear colleagues and friends at Baker Book House Company, I enter this new season full of optimism for the future of our organization and its mission.”

President and CEO Jesse Myers stated, “Dan has had a tremendous positive impact on this company during his tenure here. I’ve valued and enjoyed working with him both here at Baker and as a fellow member of the ECPA research committee before joining the team. So, I’m grateful that I’ll continue to work with Dan as he serves Baker in ownership and board decisions. The entire Baker team extends its gratitude and best wishes to Dan as he moves on to this next chapter.”

Founded in 1939, Baker Book House Company includes Baker Publishing Group and the Baker Book House retail store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker Publishing Group is the world’s largest independent publisher of Christian books and is composed of six divisions: Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Chosen, Brazos Press, and Baker Academic. For more information, visit http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Author and corporate executive Scott MacLellan, shares how to triumph through suffering

(July 18, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – For anyone longing to find purpose beyond suffering and faith beyond despair, author and corporate executive Scott MacLellan’s new book, The Ancient Ladder: A Journey to the Fullness of Life with God, offers a biblically based three-step spiritual passage that ancient mystics saw as a way to follow Jesus toward mature faith and deep, abiding devotion to God.

In The Ancient Ladder, Scott MacLellan shares his personal journey through suffering. His youngest daughter was born with a rare form of cancer and survived cancer three times by the age of 7.

“She has had two liver transplants and more than 150 surgeries in her lifetime. More than once, we took her home to die,” said MacLellan, who recounts his grueling trials as a parent of a chronically ill child in the book. “During her second liver transplant, she developed an addiction to opioids. She turned to the drug culture and was an addict and alcoholic for over 13 years.”

It was during this struggle that MacLellan sought purpose in his family’s suffering and asked a profound question about the transformation of faith from intellectual knowledge to passionate love for God. He discovered an answer in a three-step passage based on the writings of Solomon, which he delves into in The Ancient Ladder.

The book helps readers apply the wisdom of the past to current challenges by:

• Gaining a new perspective on the Christian life
• Progressing from fearing the Lord (the beginning of wisdom) to honoring the Lord and ultimately to loving the Lord
• Moving from stagnant spirituality to a vibrant and meaningful faith that enhances relationships, self-awareness, and enjoyment of God.

The Ancient Ladder is a guide for those yearning for purpose and faith beyond despair. MacLellan’s insights shed light on the reasons behind our suffering and doubts, empowering readers to let go of their former selves and embrace their true purpose.

Scott MacLellan is an acclaimed author of eight books and a seasoned business executive who has lead several multi-billion dollar companies. During his decades-long career in the marketplace and through heartbreaking challenges in his personal life, God has taken him on an unexpected journey of faith.

The Ancient Ladder is published by David C Cook and releases on November 7, 2023.

Scott MacLellan is available for interviews. To schedule, please contact Cathy Herholdt at cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org.

David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.

Media Contact: Cathy Herholdt, VP, Communications, cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org, 719.533.3011

Twenty-year Veteran Will Lead the Ministry’s Strategic Business Operations

(July 14, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – David C Cook recently announced the promotion of Jana Zachman to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Building on her 20 years of experience with the ministry, in her new role Zachman will oversee business and ministry operations for the 148-year-old Colorado-based publishing company, and will lead the Finance, IT, and Warehouse and Distribution divisions.

Since joining the ministry in 2003, Zachman has served in a diverse range of roles, beginning as a senior accountant, then moving into finance management. She oversaw the company’s curriculum business as Associate Publisher/Business Director; served as VP of Financial Operations, and has led operations and analytics for the music side of the business with Integrity Music. In 2020, Zachman was promoted to VP of Operations and Analytics for the entire ministry, after which she helped launch numerous strategic initiatives, including building the platform for David C Cook’s proprietary, fully customizable digital children’s curriculum, Wonder Ink®, in her role as SVP of Services and Innovation.

In May of this year, David C Cook’s President and acting CEO, Rick Rekedal, announced that Zachman would step into the role of COO. “Jana Zachman is one of the best leaders I have worked with,” said Rekedal. “Her attention to detail, acumen with finance and operations, and her abilities in leading people are a powerful combination to help move us forward. Most of all, she has a heart for the ministry. We are in great hands with Jana leading all operations at David C Cook.”

“Everything I’ve done to this point has prepared me for this role,” said Zachman. “Over my 20 years at David C Cook, I have had opportunities to serve in nearly all areas of our ministry. I’m excited to help propel us forward in equipping the church with Christ-centered resources for today’s generations. This is why I’m here. God has used David C Cook for nearly 150 years and continues to use this ministry in His Kingdom work, and I am blessed to be a part of that, “For such a time as this.”

Zachman is passionate about developing the next generation of female leaders at David C Cook. In 2021, she launched a women’s leadership initiative called the “Female Power Hour,” through which she gathers monthly with upwards of 100 women to empower, enrich, and inspire those who serve with the organization.

Zachman holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Newman University and an MBA from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

She lives with her husband on the farm she grew up on in Bucklin, Kansas, surrounded by beautiful Kansas prairie, a herd of cows, a donkey, a horse, a spoiled dog, and several farm cats. She serves in children’s ministry at their small church in Bucklin, and started a cooking ministry for youth with her husband, teaching youth to cook simple meals for themselves and their families, as well as for the community.

For more information about David C Cook, please visit www.davidccook.org.

David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.

Media Contact: Cathy Herholdt, VP, Communications, cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org, 719.533.3011

Religionless Christianity Calls Believers Out of the Pews and Onto the Battlefield

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (July 11, 2023) — Eric Metaxas woke up slumbering Christians with his bestselling Letter to the American Church. In the inspiring sequel, Religionless Christianity (Salem Books, March 12, 2024), he will spur them on with the prophetic words of the martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who appealed to Christians not to “practice” their faith but to live it.

“The remarkable response to Letter to the American Church has given me tremendous hope that many in the American church are eager to repent of their ‘mission drift’ into ‘faith without works’ and ‘silence in the face of evil’ and to chart the biblical way forward. We have to understand what God wants us to do right now, before it’s too late,” says Metaxas.

Like the German church of the 1930s, today’s American church has settled into the merely “religious” faith of Sunday mornings, a counterfeit Christianity that is impotent in the face of evil. The  acclaimed biographer of Bonhoeffer, Metaxas draws on the words and deeds of the anti-Nazi hero to show why we must live our faith in every sphere of life. Our times demand nothing less than the vibrant and courageous faith of historical Christianity.

“There is real hope and a reason to be excited about what lies ahead if we do what God asks of us,” says Metaxas. “If we understand where we have gone wrong and rediscover our duty to live out our faith adventurously and fearlessly, God can not only turn things around but can use His people to change the world for His purposes in history.”

The head of Salem Books, Julie Jayne, shares her author’s enthusiasm. “We are proud to stand with Eric in this battle for the soul of the church. Religionless Christianity represents a powerful counter-thrust against those forces that have taken a weak and dispirited church for granted.”

To pre-order a copy of Religionless Christianity, visit www.amazon.com/Religionless-Christianity-Gods-Answer-Evil.

ERIC METAXAS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Is Atheism Dead?, Fish Out of Water, Martin Luther, If You Can Keep It, Bonhoeffer, Amazing Grace, and Miracles. His latest book is Letter to the American Church (September 2022). He has written more than thirty children’s books, and his books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. His writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the New Yorker, and Metaxas has appeared as a cultural commentator on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. He is the host of The Eric Metaxas Show, a nationally syndicated daily radio show heard on 300 outlets nationwide and aired on television by TBN. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. His new book, Religionless Christianity, will be available nationwide on March 12, 2024.

CAROL STREAM, Ill., July 10, 2023 — Christianity Today is calling for submissions for the 2024 Christianity Today Book Awards. The CT Book Awards, along with our “Beautiful Orthodoxy” Book of the Year, will be announced in December at ChristianityToday.com.

Winners will be featured prominently in the January/February 2024 issue of CT and widely promoted in CT newsletters and on the site. Publishers of the winning books will also have the opportunity to participate in a promotion organized by CT’s marketing team.Here are this year’s awards categories:

1. Apologetics/Evangelism

2a. Biblical Studies

2b. Bible and Devotional

3a. Children

3b. Young Adults

4. Christian Living/Spiritual Formation

5. The Church/Pastoral Leadership

6. Culture and the Arts

7. Fiction

8. History/Biography

9. Marriage and Family

10. Missions/The Global Church

11. Politics and Public Life

12a. Theology (popular)

12b. Theology (academic)

Nominations:
To be eligible for nomination, a book must be published between November 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. We are looking for scholarly and popular-level works, and everything in between. A diverse panel of scholars, pastors, and other informed readers will evaluate the books.Publishers can nominate as many books as they wish, and each nominee can be submitted in multiple categories. There is a $40 entry fee for each title submitted in each category. To enter your nominations, please click the following and follow the prompts. (Note: You will be directed to upload a PDF of each book you wish to nominate.) https://christianitytoday.typeform.com/to/ZXV3MKdW

Finalist Books:
If your book is chosen as one of the four finalists in any category, we will contact you and ask that you send a copy of the book directly to the four judges assigned to that category. We will provide mailing addresses for each judge.

Deadline:
The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, July 31, 2023.

Any questions about any aspect of the process? Email us at bookawards@christianitytoday.com.

CONTACT: Jordyn Hibdon, jhibdon@christianitytoday.com

Carol Stream, Ill. (July 12, 2023) —Tyndale House Publishers, in partnership with Axis, is set to release the next five guidebooks in their series designed to help parents bridge generational gaps in conversation with their teens. These guides also include parent questions for personal reflection and teen discussion questions for honest conversations. These booklets will release for individual purchase on October 17, 2023, and the Parent Guides to Connecting in Chaos bundle will be available on November 21, 2023. 

A Parent’s Guide to Tough Conversations

Gain practical strategies and tips to impact conversations with your kids.

Features:

• How to naturally initiate difficult conversations
• How to determine when, where, and what topics to discuss
• How to use encouraging language to help your kids open up
• How to forgive yourself if you’ve messed up tough topics in the past 

A Parent’s Guide to Cancel Culture

Mainstream media’s cancel culture can have devastating effects on people’s jobs, relationships, and reputations. Learn how to skillfully address cancel culture without compromising biblical truth.

Features:

• What does it mean to be canceled?
• What is concerning about cancel culture?
• What biblical truths combat cancel culture?
• What does it look like to respectfully disagree?  

A Parent’s Guide to Racism in the United States

From its foundation to the present day, the United States has been marred by racism. Learn how to discuss this hot-button issue compassionately.

Features:

• Definitions of race-related terms such as racism, white privilege, and Black Lives Matter
• Concise summary of the history of the US Civil Rights Movement
• Biblical support for respecting people of all races
• Practical strategies for pursuing racial justice as a family
• Shame-free discussion questions for honest conversation

A Parent’s Guide to Walking through Grief

Whether it’s a friend moving away, a breakup, or a death, this sensitive guide offers reassuring explanations to commonly asked questions about how to handle grief.

Features:

• What is grief, and how do teens typically respond?
• What happens when we don’t deal with grief?
• What does healthy grieving look like? 

A Parent’s Guide to Talking about Death  

Learn practical strategies to process the pain of loss by gently addressing commonly asked questions with confidence.

Features:

• Why is talking about death so hard?
• Why should you talk about death?
• How should you talk to your teen about death?

A Parent’s Guide to Tough Conversations | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6774-4 | Softcover: $4.99

A Parent’s Guide to Cancel Culture | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6778-2 | Softcover: $4.99

A Parent’s Guide to Racism in the United States | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6782-9 | Softcover: $4.99

A Parent’s Guide to Walking through Grief | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6786-7 | Softcover: $4.99

A Parent’s Guide to Talking about Death | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6790-4 | Softcover: $4.99

October 2023 | Tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Kristen Schumacher, kristenschumacher@tyndale.com, 630.784.5103

What does it mean to be blessed?  Are Christians entitled to happiness, fulfillment, and perfect peace?  Holy Unhappiness (Worthy, July 18, 2023, ISBN: 9781546001928) explores these questions and challenges the false beliefs many in the church hold about “the good life” and what it means to walk in communion with God.

American Christians have developed a long list of expectations about what life with God will feel like.  Many Christians rightly deny the Prosperity Gospel—the idea that God wants you to be healthy and wealthy— but instead embrace its more subtle spin-off, the Emotional Prosperity Gospel, or the belief that God wants you to always experience happiness and fulfillment. Our society has become increasingly averse to sadness and emotional discomfort. Too often, people of faith assume that difficult feelings are a result of either God’s judgment or our own lack of spiritual maturity.  Some even equate happiness with holiness.

In Holy Unhappiness, Amanda Held Opelt, author of A Hole in the World, grapples with her own experience of disillusionment when life didn’t go the way she expected.  She examines some of the historic, religious, and cultural influences that led to the idolization of positive feelings and the marginalization of negative feelings.  Unpacking nine elements of life that have been tainted by the message of the Emotional Prosperity Gospel – including work, marriage, parenting, calling, community, and church – she points to a new path forward, one that reimagines what the “blessed” life can be like if we release some of our expectations and seek God in places we never thought to look.

While Opelt acknowledges the dignity of desiring happiness, she ultimately pleads for the normalization of sadness, anger, grief, disappointment, and other uncomfortable feelings as a part of the Christian experience, making a case that there is holiness to be found even in our unhappiness.