LifeWay Christian Resources

Fantastic place to buy encouraging books, music, etc. love Jesus and I love that this place is so welcoming and feels like home so you aren’t intimidated when you go in.

The Lifeway Christian Stores in Castleton is a go-​to place for me when it comes to the Christmas season mostly due to its plentiful music, film, and home décor goods that have proven to be popular over the year with members of my family and church.
This particular location is in the front part of the parking lot that also houses a Value City, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Five Below, and Dollar Tree along with a White Castle. It’s a location that was previously a Moody Bookstore, and even before that I seem to recall it was a Christian bookstore called Romar (or something along those lines).
Lifeway Christian Stores is one of 180 Lifeway locations nationwide and is operated as a non-​profit organization — this means that profits above and beyond operating expenses are channeled into a variety of ministry efforts. Lifeway is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, so it’s not likely that you’re going to have much success finding Christianity’s more progressive voices inside Lifeway. In fact, Lifeway began under the name Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. On occasion, I have seen Shane Claiborne’s writings in Lifeway, though it has primarily been his first effort «The Irresistible Revolution.»
Lifeway carries extensive home décor, music, DVD’s, books, Bibles, church supplies, and other items related to Christian and church life. They also have a pretty well stocked children’s section with toys, books, DVD’s, and much more that goes beyond the usual Veggie Tales fare. As someone who is a film writer on the side, I will occasionally find that DVD’s carried by Lifeway carry a quote by me and I admire the chain’s willingness to carry a lot of independent cinema. They also do carry a variety of music genres, though I’ve historically seen very little on the Christian alternative/​punk end at Lifeway.
Lifeway has a rewards program and does fairly consistent e-​mailing of coupons for those on its e-​mail list. They also operate their own publishing imprint, a research unit, a unit for self-​publishing, and a variety of digital resources.
The store’s retail location in Castleton had an upgrade probably 2 – 3 years ago and it made both the interior and exterior infinitely nicer with hardwood floors and nice carpet throughout. Where Lifeway does have to lose some points with me is in its only modest efforts at true wheelchair accessibility. Lifeway’s parking situation, while a modest improvement from its pre-​renovation situation, is still pretty abysmal with a couple very poorly marked spaces, one at a slant, and neither one actually ADA compliant. On more than one occasion, I’ve gotten blocked out of my car and had to wait until a shopper returned to their vehicle to get in. Tonight, I chose to park on the side of the building next to a sidewalk so that I wouldn’t risk getting blocked.
While their sidewalks are not high, their ramp is in modest disrepair and their doors are a little heavy and have a bit of a lip over them that makes it hard for a wheelchair. I’ve noticed that I also tend to set off their alarms, as I did tonight, but the employees do typically handle this well.
The employees are generally quite helpful. I have to say that this is a place where it’s not uncommon for me to go in, look around, and buy nothing. It’s a great idea place, but I’m amazed how often I go in and don’t end up purchasing as was the case tonight. The employees never give you that eye-​balling feeling you get in some stores where they give you the stink-​eye if you go in without buying something (like Bath & Bodyworks!).
The aisles, especially during the Christmas season, can be hit-​and-​miss in terms of wheelchair access. As they do tend to carry breakables, this can mean that extra care is needed if a stroller or wheelchair is involved. They are really not two-​person wide aisles, at least not if one of the two is in a wheelchair.
When it comes to faith-​based shopping in Indianapolis, there are two larger options in Lifeway and Family Christian Stores. Then, there’s a few indie shops around. Even though I tend to find more that I want to buy in Family Christian Stores, I find that I always feel more comfortable in Lifeway. For those looking for gift ideas for Christian friends/​family, Lifeway is a solid and dependable if not particularly outstanding option with a good selection, better prices than are usually found in Christian stores, and staff that will help. Due to some accessibility issues, I might advise that someone with a disability consider having a shopping companion to avoid any disappointment. As an added bonus, I will note that Lifeway does have a public restroom that is for the most part roomy and wheelchair friendly.