SBC folks- what happened to Baptist Bookstore?

Now that's a piece of news, ain't it? Seems it's been 5 or more years since they made that change. And big deal!

 

Same store, just bigger, more inclusive, and mosre expensive! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

I have a friend who is a sales manager at the Jackson, Mississippi Lifeway--here is her explaination as to why things are so expensive in the stores--Shoplifting! She told me that it is unbelievable how much shoplifting goes on in the store. You and I are paying for someone else's crime! In a way, we are reaping what the dad-blame shoplifters are sowing!

There was a name change a while back. I suppose nothing is wrong with that--the largest company in the whole wide world has had numerous name changes over the last 75 years--the last one being ExxonMobil. As Cynic says, it ain't no big deal! LifeWay isn't hiding the Southern Baptist name. In fact, if you look real close each store dresses itself and behaves just like a Southern Baptist store should!

Your friend,
Blackbird

 

Actually you pay for what others shoplift at every store you go to.
I've found their prices to be compareable to the other christian stores I have access too. Christian products are just expensive no matter where you go.

 

The name was changed some years ago. It was partially done as a business decision. Many people wouldn't go to the store because it was a Baptist store and they weren't Baptist, even if the Bible they were going to buy was the same Bible. The name change made the store more inviting to other religions. Just like the Christian music, it isn't labeled for a particular faith, now the store cn serve more people.

Katie is right. Supply and demand. Christian books and CDs aren't the largest sellers so, since they can't sell alot via demand, the price is higher. Also, books like the Left Behind series are cheaper in the larger stores like Wal-mart because they are buying in bulk and can pay less for it in the beginning. This is just how it works in retail. If you go to different grocery stores and compair prices, you will notice that one store may be sellin milk cheaper, but the cereal prices are inflated.

 

I was a little distressed by the name change because there are many Christians who wouldn't want to support the fundamentalism of the SBC but who don't realize that the profits from the stores go to an SBC institution.

In my opinion, the strident fundamentalism of the new SBC leaders is making the denomination an increasingly marginal institution - one that mainstream Christians would not want to support.

Joshua

 

Rev. Joshua,
We "meet" again, friend! It seems we are both Southern Baptists, and neither one of us cared for the name change. My reason for posting this note, however, is to ask you the difference between the "fundamentalist" leadership of the SBC and "mainstream Christianity."

Rev. G

 

Key words: In my opinion

It never ceases to amaze me how insistent Joshua is that his liberal beliefs are a part of "mainstream" Christianity. I guess if you live in the closet long enough you begin to think everyone else is a coat hanger as well (what a perfect analogy considering Joshua's pro-homosexual "mainstream" opinions).

 

The name change to Lifeway was made at least four years ago and in some cases, longer than that. My brother lives in Albuquerque, NM and their "Baptist Book Store" became a Lifeway store almost a decade ago.

It is my understanding that Lifeway's "profits" are returned specifically to mission offerings and the mission work of the North American and International mission boards. That is to say that any money received over and above costs of operation and distribution do not go to stockholders, but to missions. That is certainly a motivation for me to shop there.

I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but here in Houston, the Lifeway stores carry stuff at lower prices than other Christian bookstores. You can almost count on paying 10 to 15 percent more for stuff at Family Bookstores, and some of the privately owned stores are outrageous. You can be assured that Lifeway products are not priced to pay profits.

 

Key words: In my opinion

It never ceases to amaze me how insistent Joshua is that his liberal beliefs are a part of "mainstream" Christianity. I guess if you live in the closet long enough you begin to think everyone else is a coat hanger as well (what a perfect analogy considering Joshua's pro-homosexual "mainstream" opinions). </font>[/QUOTE]SBCbyGrace, that was so funny.

 

Josh, you have two mistakes in your understanding.

1. You assume that the mainstream is made up of Christians.

2. You apparently aren't aware that the purpose is to separate themselves from "mainstream" baptists. You see, integrity of doctrine and character is important in the refreshingly new SBC.

Out like the libs attempt at making the SBC another mindless, meaningless denomination.

 

Key words: In my opinion

It never ceases to amaze me how insistent Joshua is that his liberal beliefs are a part of "mainstream" Christianity. I guess if you live in the closet long enough you begin to think everyone else is a coat hanger as well (what a perfect analogy considering Joshua's pro-homosexual "mainstream" opinions). </font>[/QUOTE]Be amazed, but you should not be surprised if you have regular contact with many Christians outside our denomination. I don't see how SBC supporters can say on the one hand the takeover was necesarry to keep us from getting "liberal" like every other denomination, then later say that a "liberal" like Joshua does not represent the "mainstream". You can't have it both ways.

 

"Mainstream" - a great name for it.

"Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction"

 

If you read this column from the SBC's Baptist Press you'll see that what you consider "liberalism" is rampant even among Southern Baptists&lt. My theology and training, however, are certainly consistent with the scholarship produced by Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and non-SBC baptist scholars.

Joshua

[ September 17, 2002, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua ]

 

The problem with SBC profits and losses is that the reports are normally structured so that no one can understand what went where. Just like my complaint to the annuity board that individual baptists do give to support lifeway and other entitys of the SBC. Their leadership lives much better than most Pastors and all their employees are entitled to benefits that are too expensive or in some cases unavailable to normal SBC Pastors. Concerning the name change in my view it is to disquise the name SBC from customers notice they are interested in profit. On a non judgemental note I think the prices are consistant and they have good selections plus best of all whiny SBC pastors like myself get a % discount. So I guess I had better shut up.
Murph

 

Joshua, my friend, I ask again, What is the difference between the "fundamentalist" SBC leadership and "mainstream" Christianity?

I have another question, one due to the things posted above. Are you supportive of gay rights? (Or was that just a pejorative comment)?

Rev. G

 

I am very aware of this article and am also aware that it is a survey regarding Baptists of all stripes and the statistics do not reflect SBC beliefs therefore to suggest liberalism is rampant among the SBC is a farce. However since your "mainstream" statements probably extend beyond SBC parameters, I would simply say that the survey reflects a lack of theological awareness among the laity polled.

You can't tell me that if you take these questions into an arena of local Baptist churches (whatever variety you choose) and surveyed the people, you would find a natural disposition toward leftist theology.

It kind of reminds me of the "Mainstream" movement in the SBC ... a group that is very small in number yet insists on calling themselves mainstream.

I will recant and say that where I stand is probably a little to the right of the mainstream if you are considering all major denominational brands. But I would also suggest that your theology and polity is a little to the left of the mainstream.

BTW, being to the right of the mainstream is not a bad virtue.

The evangelical world is a diverse world indeed, but by its very nature and definition, the evangelical world must stay committed to the fundamentals. Once a person denounces the fundamentals, he/she moves him/herself beyond the parameters of evangelicalism.

I believe you are a living case and point .

 

Not just a pejorative comment. Once you get to know Joshua, you will discover he is a living example of "a good mind is a terrible thing to waste on liberal theology." The slope upon which he rides is one that often ends in the absolute abandonment of all the fundamentals upon which our structure stands.

 

SBCbyGRACE:

Thanks for the input, but I would like to hear from Joshua himself.

I trust that you are a "conservative" Southern Baptist. Let me tell you this, if these questions were asked in "conservative" SBC churches you would find some surprising results. I know - I have pastored a couple of SBC churches and preached in numerous SBC churches. Many DO think that salvation is Christ plus works. Some don't think that Christ is God. Many are not troubled by sinful lifestyles. I could tell you a lot of other stories. For example, when I was teaching an evangelism course at an SBC seminary this summer there were students who questioned the exclusivity of Christ as Savior. Mind you, this was in a seminary!!! Or I could tell you about the time when I was a seminary student and got into an argument with about six of my classmates over the importance of the resurrection (they claimed it was not important). This was after we had a "conservative" president put in place (this was just four years ago). These are very grievious matters - but the SBC as a whole is not as solid as we would like for it to be.

Rev. G

[ September 17, 2002, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Rev. G ]