The past decade has not been kind to Christian bookstores in Canada and the United States. Market competition from Internet booksellers and big box chain stores; direct-to-church marketing by curriculum publishers; higher rents and personnel costs; and the increased need for investment in retail technologies have taken a toll on bookstore ministries. According to the Christian Booksellers Association, more than 600 religious book and supply stores closed between 2005 and 2006.

Through hard work and creativity, Christian Light Bookstores, operated by the Brethren in Christ Board for Media Ministries, seemed to be managing the negative trends in the retail environment. Within the past couple of years, however, it has become apparent that the ministry either needed to grow to a much larger chain of stores or consider ending its business. Without the capital to expand, divestiture has been deemed the prudent route.

So the Brethren in Christ Media Ministries (BICMM), Inc., with approval of the Brethren in Christ General Conference Board, is in the process of divesting Christian Light Bookstores. In 2006, stores in Elizabethtown, Lebanon, and Hershey, Pa., and Sugarcreek, Oh., were closed, followed by closing of the Frederick, Md.; Goshen, Ind.; and Lancaster, Pa., stores in 2007 The store in Nappanee, Ind., will close before the end of August.

As of July 26, 2007, LifeWay Christian Stores, a chain of stores owned by the Southern Baptist Convention, initiated purchase of the Christian Light Bookstores in York and Chambersburg, Pa., and Hagerstown, Md. On July 31, the Linglestown, Pa., store was purchased by its manager, Mark Newell, and will be renamed. Additionally, ministry leadership has signed a purchase agreement with an independent businessman who wishes to purchase the Williamsport, Pa., bookstore. The Christian Light Bookstore in Dayton, Ohio, is currently for sale. If that store is not sold before December 31, 2007, it likely will close at year’s end.

With these transitions, the denomination’s more than 60-year history of providing communities with Christian books, publications, curricula, music, and various other products will end. Please pray for the members of the Board for Media Ministries and Executive Director Roger Williams as they work through the complex negotiations and emotional strain of bringing to a close a ministry that has been an encouragement to hundreds of thousands of people in their daily walk with Christ. Remember also the store employees who have been affected by these difficult decisions. And pray as well for God’s blessing on the board’s continued ministry in printing and publishing through Evangel Press and Evangel Publishing House, both located in Nappanee, Ind.

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