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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (393
notes).

Note 393 by UMNS on Oct. 16, 1997 at 16:25 Eastern (4152 characters).

CONTACT: Linda Green				  581(10-71B){393}
	    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	Oct. 16, 1997

Publishing House reports increase 
in product sales, favorable budget
	
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)  Sales were higher and expenses lower than expected
at the United Methodist Publishing House during the first half of 1997,
according to Neil Alexander, president and publisher.
For the period ending July 31, sales of products increased 6.5 percent and the
cost of goods sold improved by $523,000 compared to 1996, said Alexander.
Sales exceeded expectations and total publishing house expenses were
$1,844,630 under budget, representing the lowest ratio of expense to sales in
the last seven years, he added.
	Highlights for 1997, said Alexander, included the formation of business units
and the strong performance of resources including Disciple: Becoming Disciples
Through Bible Study; The New Interpreters Bible; childrens, youth and adult
curriculum materials; and official United Methodist Church products such as
The Book of Discipline, The Book of Resolutions, the Guidelines series, and
numerous other books and materials. 
	He reported that the boards total income increased to a record $106,187,770.
The agencys net operating income of $2,711,745 in 1997 compares with a
$2,114,272 loss in 1996. Operations improved by more than $10 million.
	The 33-member board also heard that the number of sales displays at church
events across the country increased. Alexander reported that Cokesbury book
and retail stores  held 192 sales events in 1996 compared with 248 in 1997,
and they increased sales by 7.6 percent. 
Sales are likely to increase even more the second half of 1997 because the
house now has the ability to accept orders on the Internet. Customers may
order any Cokesbury or Abingdon product through the "www.cokesbury.org" web
site. A more comprehensive bookstore will be established on the Internet
during 1998-99.
	Alexander called the financial year "productive, exhilarating, fast-paced,
filled with surprises, abundant in challenges and budding with potential for
supporting and extending the ministry and mission of the United Methodist
Church."
	The board congratulated the staff when it was reported that more than 100 new
academic, professional and general interest books including Christian
education aids, workbooks and supplies for congregational ministries were
published during the year. They applauded reaching the half-way point of
publishing six of 12 volumes in The New Interpreters Bible commentary series.

	There were cheers when Alexander noted that the third component of the
Disciple Bible Study series: Remember Who You Are is being used widely across
the church to deepen encounters with Scripture and make disciples for Jesus
Christ. A fourth study is being scheduled for release in 2000. But before
then, the house will release Believers, a study of Jesus in 1999.
	Alexander also stated that after months of paying attention to detail,
Abingdon Press has released a new series, FaithHome, designed to help families
talk about their Christian faith and enrich the practice of Bible study,
prayer, Christian conversation, and service in the home and community. 
	Describing the challenges facing the United Methodist Publishing House, he
said, the most important is the story of how the houses ministry affects
those it serves.
	"What is most important is how, where, when and with what consequence these
resources are bearing fruit so that more people in more places come to know
God through Jesus Christ," Alexander said.
He reported on the May 1997 launch of the Abingdon Press First Choice Choral
Club. The club allows churches to preview all Abingdon Press anthems and the
Church Music Workshop magazine. He said that by the end of the fiscal year,
700 members had joined the club. Membership in the choral club stands at 2,600
churches, a gain of approximately 900 members since the spring of 1997.
The house, through its new church and disaster program, assisted 42 churches
hit by natural disasters and provided them $140,990 in free resources.
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