Christian retailers need more support, says Bible Society chief

The head of Bible Society says Christians need to work on improving their relationships with one another if the UK Christian publishing industry is to survive.

James Catford was speaking at a recent gathering of 120 Christian retailers and suppliers from across the UK to launch Christian Resources Together. The organisation has been set up to support and train Christian retailers and suppliers following the collapse last year of IBS-STL UK, the largest distributor and chain of bookshops in the country.

"We're undergoing seismic change. We're in the middle of a grieving process, mixed with denial and anger," said Catford.

"If our relationships are not strong we'll reduce the complicated to the simplistic - and that won't help. We need better relationships."

Mr Catford spoke of the need to support Christian authors struggling to sell large numbers of their books.

"It's often because we don't have a relationship with them," he said. "Partnership comes out of relationship. We should always offer bucket loads of encouragement to one another.

“There's room for challenge, yes but only occasionally and when really necessary. Sir Alan Sugar is not our role model!

“We can be distinctively different if we cut out the judgemental attitude. We want to see a strong church but we are only going to get there with each other."

Christian Resources Together is being supported by Christian Resources Exhibition, which plans to host a retailers and suppliers day at the CRE at Sandown Park in May.

"Many of us warmly remember the early years of the Christian Booksellers' Convention - its spirit and friendly atmosphere," said Steve Briars, event director of the Christian Resources Exhibition.

"We don't want Christian Resources Together to be just another trade body but one that brings a sense of partnership to serve Christian retailers and suppliers."