This month I'd like to introduce you to a fine company located right here in Nashville. You'll just have to keep reading to find out why. The company is Thomas Nelson Publishers. This is a company that employs about 600 people….executives, editors, marketers, sales associates, designers and printers.
Thomas Nelson Publishers is probably the largest publisher of Christian books, designed to edify and minister. It is also the world's largest publisher of Bibles.
In August of 2004, the company claimed 14 of the top 50 Best-Selling books – twice as many as its nearest competitors – and entered 2005 with 7 of the top 10 Christian market books.
The company's mission is best described by Chairman and CEO, Sam Moore who states, “Each day we have the opportunity to bring again the Word of God to a parched and thirsty land. The scriptures teach us to publish the glad tidings, and we are privileged to do so.”
Evidently Mr. Moore understands that the Bible is the very Word of God and doesn't take lightly the honor he has in getting God's Word out to the world. If there is anything on earth that is ordained and anointed by God himself, it is His Word – The Bible. But Thomas Nelson is not content to simply publish and distribute the Bible, oh no, they also publish and distribute thousands and thousands of Christian books which are meant to help common, every day folk learn to follow the Lord they read about in His Word. These books encourage, edify and provide solid discipleship and teaching to throngs of spiritually hungry people.
Now I'm sure that those of you who have read this far must be wondering if I own stock in Thomas Nelson Publishers. Or, at the very least, what does Thomas Nelson Publishers have to do with Southern Gospel Music.
Before I answer that, let me ask you some questions. Do you believe that the Bible is God's Word? Do you believe it is anointed by The Holy Spirit? Do you believe that God speaks to people through the Bible? Do you believe that the Bible is used to point people to Jesus? Do you believe that people have been convicted of sin by reading the Bible?
Your answer to all those questions should be “Yes!” The Bible is anointed by the Holy Spirit, it is God's Word. God speaks to people through the Bible; it convicts them of their sin and points them to Jesus. There is no doubt that the Bible is responsible for turning millions of souls away from the Gates of Hell. Therefore, since Thomas Nelson Publishers is responsible for getting this Book into the hands of millions of people, we can say that they have something that is clearly a MINISTRY. Their product – the Bible - is the thing that God uses to minister to people.
However, you should be aware that there are some people who work at Thomas Nelson who spend most of their waking hours studying the “market place” in an effort to keep their company solvent. “Solvent” means “having enough money to cover expenses and debts”. You should also be aware that quite often, the offices at Thomas Nelson are not devoted to prayer meetings but to sales meetings.
In the highly competitive world of publishing, Thomas Nelson has maintained its position by COMPETING, yes COMPETING, with the world….and it is winning. By using sound business practices, a BUSINESS whose product – the Bible – ministers to people, has outdone the world.
The reason that you can walk into any bookstore in the world and find easy access to a Bible that Thomas Nelson has manufactured and distributed is equally attributable to their business acumen as it is to the fact that their product is anointed by God.
Now what would happen to the great effect that Thomas Nelson Publishers is having on the human race if they adopted the attitude that some in Southern Gospel Music try to adopt? Can you imagine an executive at Thomas Nelson saying something like, “Well bless God, why spend money on those expensive fabrication machines? Uncle Billy, let's you and me and Aunt Mabel and our cousins get us some real good tape, and let's just tape those Scripture pages together. We'll staple on a cardboard cover that says “The Bible” and distribute these anointed Words of God to the bookstores”.
Would you buy a Bible that looked that way? Not a chance. But isn't it still the anointed, convicting, powerful, Word of God that will lead people to Jesus? Yes it is, but, answer the first question. Would you buy a Bible that looked that way? No, and neither would anyone else.
There is no Gospel Singer and no Gospel Song and no Gospel Group who can claim to come close to the anointing and ministry value of the Bible and YET….the company that prints the Bible knows that there is a BUSINESS to MINISTRY that cannot be ignored or the MINISTRY will cease to exist.
Thomas Nelson knows that:
IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, YOU WILL NOT HAVE A MINISTRY.
Webster provides the following definitions;
Business: The activity of providing goods and services involving financial, commercial and industrial aspects.
Ministry:
1. The act of serving; ministration.
2.The profession, duties, and services of a minister.
The failure to understand the difference between these two words has created a log jam of artists trying to access our BUSINESS with a ministry mentality…..heavenly minded – no earthly good.
Before I go any further I want to clearly establish my position so there is no mis-understanding.
• I believe in the ministry of Gospel Music. I believe there is enough power in the lyrics of our songs to meet any need and save lost souls.
• I applaud and encourage any artist that chooses the path of ministry. We have artists like this, who could care less about the charts, sales, marketing, etc. They just want to sing for Jesus and make a difference in someone's life, and I say “BRAVO”! Keep on keepin' on. We need as many of these artists as possible.
Now, having said that, it's important to note that the central point of this article is that it is our product – THE SINGING OF GOSPEL SONGS – that ministers to people, but our industry, The Southern Gospel Music Industry, is a BUSINESS, THAT MINISTERS BECAUSE OF WHAT IT SAYS
IF IT LOOKS LIKE A BUSINESS.
We've all heard the saying, “If it walks like a duck, and acts like a duck….it's a duck”.
SGM walks and acts like a business….therefore it IS a BUSINESS.
We have;
Artists who travel and deliver our product.
Booking Agencies who procure engagements for the artists.
Concert Promoters who hire the artists.
Song Writers who create our product.
Trade Magazines that advertise and market our product.
Record Companies that record our product.
Manufacturers who make our product into CDs and Videos.
Printers who provide materials to promote our product
Record Promoters who promote our product to radio.
Radio and TV stations that play our product.
I'm getting really tired of the attitude that so many in SGM have that the commercial aspect of our BUSINESS is “SINFUL”. We have allowed the line between BUSINESS and MINISTRY to become so blurred that we don't know what we are. Any artist who tries to compete is “not in it for the right reason”. Yet many of the artists who are “in it for the right reason” are not good enough to compete.
There is no SGM artist whose music can compete with the Word of God, and yet the company that prints it also has a Sales and Marketing team. Thomas Nelson has annual reports to its shareholders. They take care of BUSINESS and the MINISTRY takes care of itself.
If what we're doing in SGM is not a BUSINESS, then let's shut down the trade magazines, stop making and selling CDs, take our songs off the radio, and quit traveling and booking dates, then once a year we can all gather in Louisville and toast marshmallows and sing “Kum By Yah”.
In closing, I guess I'm not offering any solutions this month, I guess I'm just offering “THE TRUTH”. No business can compete when its product is inferior, and believe me, for too long, our product has been inferior.
To me there is a strong similarity between Thomas Nelson Publishers, whose product is the Bible, and Southern Gospel Music, whose product is “The Singing of Gospel Songs”.
I don't believe anyone would deny that the Bible ministers to people, but manufacturing those Bibles and delivering them to the market place is purely and simply a BUSINESS.
In the same way, Gospel Music ministers to people, but the creation, manufacturing, and delivery of our product is a BUSINESS….it's called THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC INDUSTRY.
It's time for us to “wake up and smell the coffee” and start acting like BUSINESS people. I truly believe that when we start treating our BUSINESS like a BUSINESS our MINISTRY will begin to prosper .
As always, I welcome your comments.
God Bless You,
Nick Bruno
http://www.songgardenmusic.com
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Author: Nick Bruno
| Author's Website: http://www.nickbruno.com/
Written: 09/01/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesThe Gospel Truth
Comments: 30
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Well said, Nick. Many times we, as ministers of the Gospel, forget the scripture that says, "Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might as unto the Lord." Also, Jesus parable of the talents speaks to the Lord's desire for us to "Take care of business," not to bury our business in the ground.
When Word/Canaan and Benson/Heartwarming were the big labels in Southern Gospel, we had leaders who understood this and forced the artists to a higher standard. Unfortunately, today, we do not have that leadership. Someone needs to not only talk about this problem, but do something about it. Some leader must emerge who will force the industry back to quality, and not allow on the shelves and airways those who do not have a quality product.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Speaking of taking care of business.... I am curious about how ministries/groups will handle the outrageous fuel prices, regarding their travel arrangements. Do you think we'll see a lot of buses going up for sale? Will groups increase their flats or expense fees? If so, will promoters and churches be willing to pay it?
Good points on this article.
Mega-churches have have a good business sense on whats going on in the marketplace. Some believers would be very harsh on these large organizations if they realize the many business tools they use in their ministries.
Artists better sharpen their pencils in these days. Many have and a few have already come off the road.
Promoters will watch the entrances of their venues in the next month or so. Ticket sales does not mean a good crowd.
In the short time future, the words "no-shows" might be a word be hearing in the industry because of gas prices and the state of the marketplace across the country.
You might see artists staying closer to home or their booking agencies better do an excellent job
on booking dates on long road trips.
http://www.gospelmusicfan.com/
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Southern Gospel Music in New England?
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King Nick, as always, you hit the nail on the head. Almost every Sunday I walk out of church asking myself, "I have read that same scripture a hundred times! How did the Pastor get all that great stuff out of it?" In much the same way, I ask myself the same questions about your articles. I can't say that I agree 100% on every technical point, but your insight is unparalleled!
It takes money to run ANY organization; either from the revenue/income from Offerings, flats, and product sales, or..... for most of us weekenders, out of our own pockets. Is that wrong? Not necessarily, but people should not say that they are not interested in the "Business" just because they are not requiring a flat, or a minimum offering amount. In that case, they better be in "Business" somewhere, or there will be no money to run the "Ministry".
I use to have that sma mentality that if groups or soloist "charged" for their engagements "then they are just in it for the money" But now that I am a traveling, SGM artist, I see why they have to do that. the gas just doesn't magically appear in your tank. The Projects (cd/cassette) don't magically get produced at the studio/record company. Your song doesn't magically appear on the radio and you don't magically get invited to large venues. Ministry is a business. But I do want to say this, we should always protect our ministry and we should put the ministry aspect before the business aspect. And I say that because, for myself, I don't want to be so caught up in the money game that I have lost sight of what really matters and that is the people (fans) and the need to reach out to a lost and dying world. But with just like anything you go after in the world...you MUST keep a level head!
Once again, an excellent, honest, thought-provoking article. Do you give seminars anywhere? Do you teach these basics anywhere? You might consider organizing a Nick Bruno Week of Learning The Business Side of SGM.
If you do, sign me up.
Nick - You've hit the nail on the head again. I wish there were more people like you in SGM that had the guts to tell the truth, and more SG groups that knew how to run their ministry like a business, and if they didn't, find somebody like you to help them! Of course, this would mean some of the old-timers would have to give up a little control over their domains, and somehow I don't think they'd be too happy doing that, even if it would help them in the long run.
Outstanding, Nick. Without sound business practices, SGM will cease to minister because if will effectively cease to exist. Other forms of Christian music are ministering to the a wider spectrum of the world more effectively not only because of the quality of their product, but because of the sound business practices they employ. Preach on brother.
Great article, Nick...you're right!!! Ann D
Nicky: The best article you have written yet. The comparison to Thomas Nelson was powerful and irrefutable in regards to ministry and business. Our group would not have survived without sound financial principals. I never made a hugh amount of money in Gospel Music, but with careful, thoughtful marketing and a message combined, my family never wanted for anything. There is a balance that can be kept with ministry and business combined. To be slothful in business and see your family suffer for the "Ministry" sake because of it, is just plain wrong and unnecessary, and inexcusable.
Now, if you will excuse me I have to go and figure out a way to generate more income because of the fuel situation. With some prayer for wisdom I am sure I will come up with something!
Duane Nicholson
I've been saying this for years now. Totally agree!!
Awesome! Thank you for this article, Nick. Surely, there's no business like soul business!
Nick, Great article as usual.
Every so often a topic pops up in discussion called "ministry vs. entertainment." It's high time we stopped viewing those two ideals as being mutually exclusive.
Your comparison with the Thomas Nelson company is right on target. If some readers are turned off by the corporate nature of Thomas Nelson, they should consider Billy Graham instead. What shape would his clearly evangelistic ministry be in today if sound business principles had not been employed for all these years?
Great stuff, Nick.
Nick -- I seem to recall you wrote a song years ago called "In The Good Old Days". Obviously, you respect those days, but don't want to stay there! This is an important article not only for Southern Gospel, but EVERY area of Christian music where there is an attitude of, "If you do it thinking professionally, you're not doing it for the Lord."
This attitude even bites in local churches. When I was assisting in leading worship, I got roundly criticized for "putting on a show". Yes, I pride myself in playing as professionally as I can, and using my gifts to the fullest. Do they mean to tell me that I should water down what I do for the church, do less for my Lord than what I do for people who pay me mere money to come in and work in the studio for them? I don't think so!
Anyway, thanks for a great, sorely-needed article.
I really appreciate the following comment:
Any artist who tries to compete is
“not in it for the right reason”. Yet many
of the artists who are “in it for the right
reason” are not good enough to compete.
My former group and the group I with whom I currently sing has been through all of the industry stuff...and now really are really ministry-minded. We all have full-time jobs and feel that we are doing what God wants, so we sing because we WANT to, not because we HAVE to.
Having said that, we hold ourselves to a high standard, as whatever we do for the Kingdom should be our very, very best. We don't care about accolades and charts, but just because we don't ride around on a fancy bus doesn't mean our music isn't just as anointed and equivalent or better in quality as those who do?
I think the reason many folks have moved away from "the industry" is because of the frustration and politics that takes place within, and quite frankly sometimes the lack of heavenly goals.
But Nick is right...it takes money to run things. There's nothing in the Bible that even remotely infers or says "Thou shalt not efficiently and profitably handle finances while singing gospel music." I believe God wants us to be good stewards, managing our money carefully, not frivilously, and that God will bless with increase if we do that.
THANKS NICK!!!
Nick - you're a genius. Great article - based on irrefutable logic.
Also, I think we need leadership for our Industry who will go beyond their own self-interest in their deliberations and decisions.
It is easy to suspect that a considerable number of those in leadership over our Industry are content to make decisions that are good for them, their groups, and the Gospel Music activity in the areas of the country in which they operate their own private businesses and singing activities. But those decisions do not seem to be generally in the best interests of the growth of our Industry in regard to the needed diversity and inclusiveness that we must have to attract additional fan base. Neither do these decisions address the need in a viable way for a public awareness of what we do in areas of the country in which many of us serve out in the field - but which they themselves do not traffic in. They seem to be content to focus mainly on the areas of the country that support their private interests.
I believe their "us 4 and no more" attitude is destroying our Industry, as their "personal vision" is causing them to ignore obvious potential possibilities for improvement in places other than their own backyards.
The leadership at Thomas Nelson would not be content to market their product only in the areas where they started their business - and only in the same outlets year after year.
We need our leadership to step up to the plate - or get out of the way.
I agree with the general message of this article, but I want to do a little twist on the title. Too heavenly minded? Colossians 3 says I should set my affections on things above, not on things on the earth. No earthly good? What is earthly good? Is there anything good on the earth? Just some thoughts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
I am not sure if I agree with everything you said. I am into the "Business" side of things myself(just see my website)BUT, as far as charging for having a group in, i am not sure I agree with this. IF you are called of God to spread his truth--then HE will take care of you. Whatever happend to living by faith? Did Paul not need food and money for his journeys?---Yes, did he charge a certain fee for appearances? No! Why? He trusted God to meet his needs. Just read Phil 4. Sell you cd's---I do. But this attitude of "I am not going to your church unless i have such and such money guarenteed me" is not BIBLICAL based.
My goodness, then if this is true, shouldn't pastors just "live by faith" and not require a salary? Letting the Lord take care of them? Shouldn't you just tell your employer that you're having faith He'll take care of you? Why is it always the singers who need to "live by faith"? AD
Re: Ann's comments -- I hate to say this, being a singer, but it seems like we're looked upon as being the most "expendable" of ministries. It always seems like when there's a downturn economically, it is the singers and musicians that are hurt the worst. It is as much a sacrifice to go into full-time ministry in music as it is to go into full-time ministry to pastor a church.
It's as if singers are being told, "Okay, the money's short, the first thing we have to cut is entertainment." Well, there you go.
Reader, if you believe someone's music ministry is worth supporting in good times, it is just as worthy of being supported in the bad times! They are NOT just "the entertainment". Pastor, if you believe a musician or group is "not entertainment but ministry", support them and give them a place to go when times are tough!
Musicians can't "make bricks without straw" any more than the Israelites could. Don't expect their faith to include staying out on the road when the bookings aren't coming in, then wonder where they are when your finances improve.
As far as I am concerned a pastor does act on faith with his salry or pay. My dad is a pastor, and it does not matter what the pay is, if God wants him at a church...he is going. My father-in-law is a pastor and the same has gone for him too. I have NO problem with singers, pastors, youth pastors, whatever getting "paid" for what the do, but I do have a problem with the way the go about it. The "requirement" of payment is the part I don't like. If God called you, and wants you to go sing, preach at a certain place, money should NOT be an issue. I believe that it is up to the people of God to take care of the servants of God, not the servants of God to require the people of God to take care of them.
I once questioned the Lord some time ago about a simular issue: "Should I go for the career, or go for the ministry?" I struggled with the question for years, and it put me in a tailspin for a while.
One day, the Lord dropped the thought in my heart, and finally cleared the air: "They are both one and the same..."
Oh and by the way, Bro. Jeremiah:
If you ever had the opportunity to get on a bumpy bus, ride for endless hours (And TRY to sleep), set up the next gig after riding all night, get yourself dolled up and pour yourself out to a complacent audience (minister/give of yourself when you don't have the energy to stand up), and find that (after the DEACONS took out their share) your offering was 29 dollars -- while you had a family to support (whom you'd give the world to be with, but are some 800 miles away)---THEN young man, will you understand what acting on faith really means!
Yes sir, Gospel musicians should be the FIRST to require some up-front monetary commitments. (Ever tried to fill an empty Silver Eagle? How 'bout eating bologna sandwiches for 3 days strait!) Somebody BETTER be up on their buisness chops!!
And what about these professional preachers that make half a million a year? Boy, I'd like to have THAT kind of faith! (Even for just 80,000 a year -- which is the norm).
I'm sorry, but I kinda have a sore spot about how some people view Gospel singers. (And maybe -- just MAYBE -- they may need those record sales to MAKE IT TO THE NEXT GIG!)
Blessings to you.
Two additional comments for Jeremiah....
Paul worked as a tentmaker so he could say that he was not in it for the money, but...... he did not condemn Peter or Luke or any of the others for expecting the church to supply their needs. It was just his PERSONAL PREFERENCE to do it that way.
Ernie Haase said it as good as anyone I have ever heard: "We don't charge to sing; we sing for free. We charge to leave our families!"
Oh where do I begin. First of all, Mr. Wicker, you said that God put a thought in your heart, but where is the Biblical basis for your comment? I don't want to get off the subject here, but since the completed Word of God, if our thoughts and ideas DO NOT line up with the Bible, then WE are wrong. And as far as Paul and being a tentmaker goes, he still kept that separate from his minitry. He recognized that it was a business being a tentmaker, and did not expect the church to "PAY" him for his teachings and ministry. When they did, he responed, by saying it was good, because it bore fruit to THEIR account, not for him personally. And as far as the comment made by Ernie Haase, even if he means what he said, did the apostles get paid to leave their families to follow Christ? Jesus tells us that if we don't hate (love less) our wife, children, father, mother, and forsake houses and lands, and kindred we cannot be his disciple. See this is the ATTITUDE we should have.
I am going to state my position one more time, that if it IS a business, call it a business, but DO NOT call it a ministry.
The following information should clear up the discussion of whether Christian music ministries should be paid by the church. These four points are taken from scripture and should be indisputable, but I'm sure they will be.
#1 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24) - If God has called me to write and sing His songs, I have a duty to God to devote my full attention to it. If I am working another full-time job, I can't.
#2 - Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7:6) - If someone is not willing to pay for what I do, then they will not value it or receive the intended blessing. In this case, they are the swine that do not appreciate my pearls. My time, effort and money used to sing to them would be wasted.
#3 - For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (1 Timothy 5:18) - We have a duty as Christians to reward those who do valuable things for us -- including singers.
#4 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38) - In other words, to the extent you are willing to pay for good music is how good the music will be. If you want Southern Gospel music to be good, you'd better be willing to pay for it. If the artists can't devote the proper amount of time and money to it, they can't improve their craft and make it the best music in the world.
Mr. Prater I believe that you are right in that the church SHOULD pay the servants of God. After all, we will only be blessed for being a blessing to HIS servants (case and point-Elijah and the widow woman). And I know you did NOT address this issue, but I just don't want people to look at the TV preachers that ask for a certain amount of money, or the singers that also do the same, and say that this is how it is SUPPOSE to be done. Because, it is NOT if this is a ministry. I applaud the singers out there that just trust God to take care of them, and go to where ever they are told by God. Full-time, part-time either or, keep up the good work. And for the rest of you---keep singing the Good News of Jesus Christ, but just be careful how you label yourself --Ministry or Business. Thanks
Bro. Jeremiah
I beleive Mr. Prater made the point clear enough. I'm not in the market to argue. But let me bring up one more point. Christ had a financial advisor and money manager as one of His disciples; Judas. If Jesus wanted to, He could have done as the old prophet, and relied on God to bring Him money out of the mouth of a fish. But He didn't.
I mean no offense, brother, but it is obvious you aren't a Gospel singer. My Dad was a preacher, too, so that doesn't justify anything. I would suggest that you get a little more in touch with what really goes on in this issue before you start tossing around Sacred Text. It will backfire on you.
I am a buisnessman, and a minister. I find that the two work well together. Ask Jerry Falwell....
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