Lisa vs. Lifeway

Last month Lisa discovered that Lifeway Christian Bookstores decided to pull a magazine off its shelves and place it behind the counter because the magazine had the picture of 5 women on the cover.  Now, I know what you're thinking; most magazines that are 'behind the counter' have women on the cover...but these women were all fully clothed.  Apparently, the problem was that they were all pastors.  

Lisa, who is by the way a licensed minister, decided one night while we were watching Monday Night Football, that she'd write a letter to Lifeway.  Below is the text of the letter she sent.  So far, she's not yet received a response from the store, but we'll keep you posted. 

September 23, 2008

LifeWay Christian Stores

One LifeWay Plaza

Nashville TN 37234

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been brought up in Southern Baptist churches, was trained in a Southern Baptist seminary, and have served alongside Southern Baptist missionaries overseas and stateside. My roots within the denomination have shaped much of my walk with Christ.   

However, I have to express my sincerest disappointment with your decision to remove Gospel Today magazines from the shelves of all your stores.   While the Southern Baptist Convention may disagree with women being pastors of congregations, removing the publication is an unnecessary censorship of Biblically based Christian literature.   Is it your position that LifeWay must agree with every stance published within the readings on your bookshelves?   I hope your action is not an indication that LifeWay is heading towards further removal of books, magazines, or music that in some way is contrary to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. 

As a result of your decision to remove Gospel Today based on the women pastors featured on the cover, I will no longer be purchasing products from LifeWay Stores.   If an apology is issued to Gospel Today and the publication is returned to the bookshelves, I will, at that time, resume patronizing LifeWay Stores.

Again, it is with great disappointment that I write this letter to you.  

Sincerely,

Lisa Watson