No Olympic slump in Bible sales

100 Daily Reflections

There may be an Olympic sales slump in London’s West End, but churches tell a different story when it comes to the demand for Olympic-related Bibles, booklets and resources.

Far from the 2012 Games reducing sales and interest, it’s proving to be a boom to Christian organisations with something to sell that has an Olympic link.

This is especially good news to a consortium of Christian agencies that have produced a wide range of publications to help churches use the Games to reach out to their communities.

One slim-line ‘mini-mag’, with a background to the Games and stories of athletes that live out their Christian faith, has already sold 200,000 copies. This is double the number the publisher, Verite, had expected would be bought.

The magazine is being used by churches to give away to those who attend their Games-related events. Says Verite Director Chris Powell: "Our print run of 100,000 copies was sold out by May and we had to do a hasty reprint. The demand has been far beyond our expectations and shows how well the churches have done in reaching out to those around them."

When it comes to Bibles with a sporty touch, Bible Society’s special editions of Sports Bibles have sold over 8,000 copies – again with the demand for a reprint.

These are the Bibles being made available in the chaplaincy area of the Olympic Village. Whatever the demand may be for them among athletes, there is a lot of interest across the UK.

'Our Sports Bibles have done really well," said Karen Wilson, Production Editor at Bible Society. "They seem to have hit the right note with people."

The production of a booklet, On Your Marks, based on St Mark’s Gospel was launched by its publishers Deo Gloria with the hope of selling 20,000 copies specifically for the Games. However, they had to reprint a further 10,000 copies. According to Director Eric Thompson: "The Diamond Jubilee seems to have warmed people up and started a momentum for churches wanting to reach out through the Olympic Games."

The consortium of agencies has produced more than 50 separate resources with the total sales estimated to be over 500,000 items. These include resources ranging from bunting and banners, to DVDs, books and resources for holiday clubs.

The group was coordinated by More Than Gold, the agency set up by the main denominations to help churches use the 2012 Games to reach out to their communities and visitors.

David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold said: "This is the largest set of resources ever made available to help churches respond to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are thrilled to have played a part in helping churches have the resources they need."

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