By Fred Jackson and Jody Brown
September 26, 2003
(AgapePress) - The nation's largest Christian retail chain is defending its decision to start opening on Sundays.
Family Christian Stores says beginning this weekend, all of its more than 300 outlets across the country will open on Sundays from noon until 5:00. In a press release, Dave Browne, president and CEO of the company, says "we have a clear calling to provide our customers with Bibles, books, and other Christian resources that meet their needs -- when their needs arise."
And he says "opening on Sunday, the day that most Christians attend to their spiritual needs, is a reflection of this calling."
According to Browne, officials with Family Christian Stores took its decision very seriously -- and that after prayer, study, and seeking the counsel of others, "it became clear ... that the ministry opportunity of opening on Sundays vastly outweighed the operational preference of the status quo."
Perhaps in anticipation of some criticism over the company's decision, the press release from Family Christian Stores says being open just on Sunday afternoons reflects its desire to support morning worship time.
LifeWay Christian Stores, operated by the Southern Baptist Convention, says it has no plans to open on Sundays. Spokesman Bruce Munns says "we see Sunday as an important day for our employees to spend in church and with their families." Munns states that even Internet orders placed by LifeWay customers on Sundays are not processed until Monday.
Other major Christian-owned retailers, including Hobby Lobby and Chik-fil-A, have often been praised for their decision to remain closed on Sundays.
Truett Cathy, founder of Chik-fil-A, explains on his company's website that his outlets are closed on Sundays because he wanted to ensure that every employee and restaurant operator had an opportunity to worship, spend time with family and friends, "or just plain rest from the work week." He says closing on Sundays is the best business decision he ever made.
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