History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries has been a ratings bonanza. The premiere on March 3 is cable's most-watched entertainment telecast this year.  Further,  the $22 million cost was paltry compared with the $200 million HBO spent on the 2010 war epic The Pacific. For Christian entrepreneurs in the business of creating content for your customers, you can learn a lot from this production.

Daniel Chioco wrote in the Business2Community blog a very enlightening article that Christian entrepreneurs can use to glean from the well executed marketing plan of this historic TV program...

1. Thou shalt plan wisely. 
   
2. Honor thy collaborations.
3. Thou shalt repurpose content.
4. Remember the grassroots and reach out to them.
5. Thou shalt not spend needlessly.
6. Thou shalt seek advice.
7. Thou shalt take advantage of what people know.
8. Thou shalt build anticipation.
9. Thou shalt make it cool.
10. Though shalt capitalize.

Read the details at http://www.business2community.com/content-marketing/marketing-miracle-what-history-channels-the-bible-can-teach-content-creators-0440395#yxTwZlsoF8qs4q7J.99 

How can you apply marketing lessons from "The Bible" in your business? Leave your comments below...

My guest this week on Passion in Action TV is Lowell C. Pye, Sr., a dynamic gospel singer who grew up in Detroit, Michigan. As the youngest  member of  the gospel quartet group known as “The Junior Echo’s”, Lowell never knew this humble beginning would pave the way for a lifetime of ministry in the world of gospel music. Lowell gained notoriety when he embarked on his season with John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir in 1990. Though relatively unknown to the masses, Lowell soon became recognized as one the greatest and most distinguishable new voices in the gospel music industry.  After singing and traveling with John P. Kee and New Life for four years, Lowell was ready to embark on new beginnings and cofounded the contemporary gospel group, Men of Standard, in 1996.  With a string of hits from Men of Standard, the group was able to capture Stellar Awards and several gospel nominations. Though a part of another foursome, Lowell’s ability to harmonize, yet be an individual sets precedence like none other in the gospel industry.
 
For over 30 years, Lowell has been perfecting his gift through ministry.  He has toured with industry greats, such as Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and a host of others. With chart topping hits including, “Mighty Long Way” produced by Joe Pace, Lowell has been featured and appeared on more than 25 gospel albums.   As an actor in his own right he has shared the stage with the likes of Denise Williams, Peabo Bryson, Morris Day, Debra Morgan, and Dave Hollister; in stage plays across the United States.  Lowell currently resides as Worship leader at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.
 
From his early days of traveling and singing with John P. Kee’s New Life Community Choir, to his successful years as one quarter of the Stellar Award winning contemporary gospel quartet group Men of Standard, Lowell Pye has established himself as one of the most soulful male gospel vocalist in the industry.
 
In 2010 Miralex Records and Overflow Entertainment collaborate to present Lowell’s long awaited solo debut project Finally.  Produced by the award winning Asaph Alexander Ward, Finally is a blend of Urban inspirational and contemporary worship songs intermingled with a strong influence of traditional gospel. Lowell’s break out radio single is the emotional remake of the Commissioned’s classic hit, “Running Back to You” in which he revisits his Detroit roots and demonstrates his gift to stir an audience and invoke the presence of God.
 
Finally, with guest appearances from Lowell’s friends Pastor Marvin Winans, Rance Allen and Deitrick Haddon, marks a phenomenal milestone in Lowell’s career and establishes his amazing talent as a future legend in gospel music. 

He now has a new single "I NEED YOU" and prepping for another album.


Watch the live stream online this Thursday, March 7th at 7pm ET only on www.passioninaction.tv. 

You can also watch our previous shows right now. See you Thursday!

Check out some of Lowell's powerful music ministry...

It's that time again for the release of Brotha Magazine's latest issue, which includes my column "Kingdom Business." In this issue the title of my column is "Your Harvest is Ready", which describes  our need as Christians to recognize how to take advantage of the great opportunities to prosper that are already right in front of us. I share some powerful insights that will help you identify what's already in your hand that God wants to use to bring abundance into your life. Here is a short excerpt...

Of course you wouldn't. And God doesn't treat us like that either. 

Click here to read the full article Your Harvest is Ready at BrothaOnline.com...

Click here to watch the video Your Harvest is Ready...

My guest this week on Passion in Action TV is Janks Morton, Jr., a filmmaker, author, activist, director, producer, editor, and cinematographer. Morton is the founder and CEO of iYAGO Entertainment Group, an independently owned and operated multimedia production company. Morton created iYAGO Entertainment Group, "... to reflect both the conscious and unconscious soul of Black America." Morton has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years.  Morton's sole proprietorship is responsible for releasing four feature length documentary films since 2007. His first feature length documentary, What Black Men Think, was voted the Best Black Documentary of the year for 2007 and Morton was voted Best Director for 2007. The film examines the role of stereotypes and misrepresentations in America.
What Black Men Think has garnered national media attention and is distributed nationally by Passion River Media and Amazon. Morton has traveled internationally and nationally to lecture and show his films. He has convened workshops, seminars and served as a panelist and keynote speaker at universities, prisons, conferences, churches and community centers around the world. Morton's states his motivation for becoming a filmmaker is to promote the positive stories about blacks.  Morton has been described as an, "expert at healing conversations". Morton's film style is categorized as "docu-logue".

Watch the live stream online this Thursday, March 7th at 7pm ET only on www.passioninaction.tv. 

You can also watch our previous shows right now. See you Thursday!

*NEW RELEASE APRIL 1ST*
Passion @ Work: 40 Day Devotional to a Purposeful, Productive, & Prosperous Work Life
This unique book will take you on a journey to finding or rekindling your passion that connects purpose to your work and the rewards that result from that union. Learn more...

Maybe not, but it could be time to reevaluate your current occupation. I remember a quote I heard a long time ago that read something like when the grace of God leaves a place, it's time for you to leave too. This may be the case for you in your current job or business. God works in seasons and we must realize when our time is up at a particular place, because our assignment is over. Unfortunately not enough Christians see their jobs in this way. However, we need to be more aware of where God's presence is leading us as it relates to the work and business opportunities in which He allows us to participate.

So if you're confused as to whether God is directing you to leave a particular place, Thom Rainer, CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, wrote an article with some practical advice that you can use - in conjunction with prayer - to help you make your decision. Here are a few of his indicators to determine when it's time to quit your job...

1. When your job no longer has meaning or purpose.
2. When your family is hurting as a result of your job.
3. When you’ve outgrown your job, but your employer offers you no opportunity to move forward or advance.
   
4. When your values do not align with the values of your employer.
5. When you discover you are in the wrong seat on the bus (Jim Collins’ terminology for getting into a job that is an ill fit for you and your talents and gifts).
   
6. When you are not paid fairly.
   
7. When you just know.

(MORE: Passion @ Work Career Development Programs)

Don't allow fear to keep you in a job that is no longer meant for you to be there. On the other hand, you can't allow impatience or anxiety to cause you to move before your time. Lean on the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions and He will lead you on the most profitable path for your work life.

Read the whole article: http://thomrainer.com/2013/02/27/its-time-to-quit-your-job/#.US-wJaU_XOU

What are your indicators to know when God wants you to transition in your work life? Please leave your comments below...

*NEW RELEASE SPRING 2013*
Passion @ Work: 40 Day Devotional Guide to a Prosperous Purpose-Driven Work Life
This unique book will take you on a journey to finding or rekindling your passion that connects purpose to your work and the rewards that result from that union. Learn more...

"For the Lord disciplines the one He loves..." Hebrews 12:6

God often will put us in challenging positions to strengthen our weaknesses and stretch our strengths. Most career advice books and coaches today though tell us to just focus on our strengths and don't worry much about everything else. God knows that when we become too reliable on our strengths we become prideful. However when we are in situations where our weaknesses are being put to the test we must become more dependent upon Him to pass those tests. Though its more comfortable to operate in our strengths, we won't grow if we don't work with Him outside of our strength zones. He won't promote pride but He will promote humility and dependency.

(MORE: Passion @ Work Faith based organizational leadership development programs)

If God wants to strengthen your weaknesses in your work life it means He wants to prepare you so He can promote you. So don't run from opportunities to develop your weaknesses, because it may just be a God-designed circumstance that He's using to propel you to your next level.

What are some of the challenges you are currently facing in your work life and how are they helping you to grow? Leave your comments below...

*NEW RELEASE APRIL 1ST*
Passion @ Work: 40 Day Devotional to a Purposeful, Productive, & Prosperous Work Life
This unique book will take you on a journey to finding or rekindling your passion that connects purpose to your work and the rewards that result from that union. Learn more...

Did you know that a survey conducted a few years ago by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association revealed that 90% of Christians have never heard a sermon relating Biblical principles to their work life? If this is true, this fact is absurd considering approximately 97% of Christians work outside of a church organization. We can infer from this data that most Christians are not being equipped to have the impact that God wants them to have in the place where they spend a considerable amount of time and have some of the greatest opportunities for influence.

I'm a huge proponent of churches providing more practical teaching to help Believers understand and embrace the importance of their calling and work in the marketplace. In a recent blog by 9 Marks, 7 Things Pastors Should Teach Those in the Marketplace, they provide some great tips to help pastors equip their parishioners for greater impact in their work life. Here are the highlights...

1. Teach them how Scripture informs their work.
   
2. Teach them to fear the Lord.
   
3. Teach them to pray. 
   
4. Teach them that their ultimate worth isn’t found in their performance.
   
5. Teach them they are more than “useful” to their local church.
   
6. Teach them that they’re not inferior to pastors and missionaries.
   
7. Teach them to love what they do, and to do it well.

RELATED: Kingdom Business University Entrepreneurship Certificate Program

The one that jumps out to me the most on this list is #6. Unfortunately many Christians who have a career outside the church believe their calling is inferior to their pastor's. My prayer is that the Body of Christ would wake up to this untruth and embrace the reality those who are called to business are just as important and powerful as pastors. One reason is because businesspeople have more time to influence and disciple the people they see every day versus just on Sundays. 

If you're a pastor, how often do you present messages that are relevant to the marketplace? If you're a church attender, how often do you hear messages that relate directly to your workplace? Leave your comments below.

Enjoy the entire article... www.9marks.org/blog/7-things-pastors-should-teach-those-marketplace

(MORE: Learn more about Passion @ Work Training Workshops)