John Stanko

I got home late Tuesday night from the Christian Booksellers Convention. It was smaller than last year, which has been the trend for the last few years. The economy and changing times continue to batter the Christian retail industry and no one seems to know how to stop the downward trend. I had the privilege of moderating a prayer meeting after hours on the exhibit hall floor, which everyone says was a first at the show.  I was honored to be selected as 75 people gathered to pray and ask for God's help.  The president and chairman of the board were present for our prayer time and people were still talking about it the next day. 

I had two book signings at my publisher's booth and met with some old friends and made some new ones.  I had two media interviews, one on radio and one on television, and went from booth to booth promoting my own verse-by-verse Bible studies, for which I am still searching for a publisher.  Everyone tells me that Bible studies don't sell.  I tell them, "Mine will" but still I search.  I am pictured above signing a book while my publisher, Brian Banashak, stands ready to promote my book to all who happened to pass by. 

By the way, this month you can get my latest book, Changing the Way We Do Church, when you make a  $35 contribution to The Sophia Fund, which helps feed AIDS orphans and widows in Africa.   You can use the "Chipin" widget on my blog site to contribute, go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Of course, you can always just purchase a copy through PayPal for $13 plus shipping.  I am excited about this latest release and pray God will use it for His purpose of building and reforming His church.

Next year's event will be held in late June in St. Louis, a first for CBA.  I think now that the show is smaller, the convention can be held in cities with smaller exhibit halls.  My plans are to have two books ready for next year and a desk calendar for my Daily Dose of Proverbs, with God's help of course. What are your goals for the coming year?