All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. 15 You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “ Abba, Father. ” 16 The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. 17 But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.
What is a Cokesbury Virtual Bookstore, and how does it work?
We as a society have become a more Internet savvy people. With that comes the realization that a church website can be valuable for those in the community seeking a church home. As more and more churches create websites, the webservants search for ways to add value to the site for their members and seekers. Cokesbury can help you add that value through the Cokesbury Virtual Bookstore Program. What is a Virtual Bookstore and why should you want one? We're glad you asked. Here is how the program works.
After gathering some basic information from the church host, Cokesbury creates a link to be placed on the host's website. Within that link is a number unique to that host. We also provide the virtual bookstore graphic that you see at the top of this page that can be used with the link, or the church can create their own. Once the graphic and link are on the host church site and a visitor/member clicks on it, they are taken to the Cokebury.com bookstore. But, the Cokesbury.com header at the top is masked with the church name, such as First Church Online shown below.
There is a welcome message below the advertising banner and buttons. The church webservant or someone else at the church may write this message if they wish. If a wlecome message is not furnished by the church, Cokesbury will use a general welcome message that can be replaced by a custom message at a later time.
It is also possible for the host church to have a recommendations list that is created and maintained by the webservant or other designated person(s) at the church. Whenever there are items in the recommendations list, a link will appear below the welcome message. For our First Church example, here's how it would read. Click on the link to see the First Church recommendations page. Welcome to the First Church Online bookstore. Here you will find many resources to enhance your study of the Bible and aid in your personal spiritual journey. From time to time we may make recommendations for your consideration. If a Recommended Selections link is visible below, click on the link to view our recommendations. To see recommendations from First Church Click Here.
From time to time we may make recommendations for your consideration. If a Recommended Selections link is visible below, click on the link to view our recommendations.
To see recommendations from First Church Click Here.
While browsing the site, should a visitor/member find a book or other item they wish to purchase, they simply create an online account or log in as a guest, place the item in their shopping cart and check out as any other customer would do. Cokesbury takes care of the rest . . . shipping, billing, etc. The customer gets the normal online discounts and the church gets a rebate on any qualifying items that are purchased.
That's right. By signing an agreement that is sent to the church, the church will receive a 5% rebate on qualifying items. Cokesbury is able to associate purchases with the unique number in the provided link. Twice a year Cokesbury reviews the sales and calculates the rebate. If the amount of the rebate is $10.00 or more, a check is mailed to the church treasurer or person designated by the church. If the amount is less than $10.00, the sales are allowed to accumulate through the next 6-month rebate period when sales are reviewed again.
It is our hope that by offering Cokesbury virtual bookstores for church sites your members and visitors will have better access to qualify books and resources that will help them know God, love God and serve God and neighbor. And, that they will keep returning to their church site eager to see new church information and find new resources.
Because we know that identity theft is becoming a serious problem, the site contains the latest SSL (secure sockets layer) security to protect shoppers and payment information. We also offer the convenience of a safe Cokesbury credit card that offers even more security than a bank card.
If you are interested in partnering with Cokesbury.com by hosting a Cokesbury Virtual Bookstore, please send an email to wduckworth@Cokesbury.com. Go to our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions...