Church Boy

by Kirk Franklin

  Those kinds of things still happen, but they’re not the real challenge. The real challenge is to be able to trust God enough to know that He’s going to supply for the ministry. I’ve got full-time people with me, and sometimes we have to keep things running to be able to keep everybody working. That’s a challenge because I don’t want to see them stuck. When we get over that hurdle, I hope I can slow down and take some time off.

  FOR THE FUTURE

  We have a new album coming out in 1998, and we’re all excited about that. If God gives it His blessing, that will be great. From a musical standpoint, we want to grow and develop what we’ve got. That means adding other kinds of music, other techniques and other media and seeing where else we can go with it.

  Up to this point we’ve done some innovative things, but we’ve been pretty much at home in the world of gospel music. There are bits of jazz and rock in our music with traditional instruments—keyboard, drums, bass, horns, and that sort of thing. But now I’d like to reach out a little bit with strings, a symphony orchestra, and other types of sound. I believe that a lot of exciting things can happen if we’re willing to push out of our comfort zone.

  So the album we will release in 1998 will be the most sensitive, intimate, personal record that God has ever allowed me to be a part of, and we’ve been working on it for more than half a year now. As this book goes to press, the album isn’t quite finished, but it’s on the way. Pulling it together has taken every bit of knowledge I have because there are so many different pieces to it.

  This album represents every style of music in our culture— jazz, gospel, blues, hip-hop, rock, ballads, blues, classical, you name it. They say music is universal, but the message is specific. If this music is universal, it’s all ours; it’s the message within it that makes the difference. Gospel music fans may be surprised at first. I’m afraid there may be some who won’t like it because it’s different. But I hope they’ll give us a chance to show them that our hearts haven’t changed. We’re still the same people; we just feel that God has given us a chance to grow and expand our reach. It’s different, but it’s all dedicated to Him.

  There’s not just one gospel sound. The gospel is the message, and as long as the music is dedicated to Jesus, He makes it pure. Whatever music we put with the message, whether it’s drums or guitars or a full symphony orchestra, He purifies it. That’s what He does. He gives it a ministry.

  So that’s something I’m pretty excited about, and nervous about too. Incorporating all those styles can be risky; but this is the first time in my life that I’ve had a chance to be totally involved in a project from every aspect. I’m in this record from the ground up.

  Over the last few years, I’ve written a lot of songs for other albums—for people like Myrna Summer, Lawrence Matthews, Daryl Coley, James Moore, and a half-dozen gospel choirs. I’ve already said that one of my songs was picked up for the movie The Preacher’s Wife, and that helped us in the beginning.

  I’d like to do more of that, but I’d also like to do some interludes, film scores, and instrumental numbers that are a little bit different from anything we’ve tried up to now. I want to stretch Kirk Franklin, stretch our sound, and maybe even stretch the audience too. Those are some of the things I’m working on now.

  In the middle of all this, our God’s Property album was nominated in four categories for Grammy Awards, and we’re still getting invitations to perform on network TV shows, in large concerts, and for many other events around the country. We’re not touring in 1998 because there’s so much going on, but we expect to be back on the road in 1999.

  THE KIRK FRANKLIN SHOW

  One of the most exciting times for me is when I had the opportunity to do a pilot for a sitcom. It was another situation that was a little bit touchy because some people have said they don’t think a twenty-eight-year-old minister (as I am) should be doing a Hollywood sitcom. But, I felt the pluses far outweighed the minuses, and if it was God’s will, I wasn’t going to stand in the way.

  There are some people in the church who seem to think that Christians shouldn’t laugh and have fun, so we may get some ridicule, some bad press, or some controversy out of it. The character I played felt good in my spirit, and I thought it would be good, not only for the body of Christ, but for the general public. It showed somebody who was more than just a stereotyped Bible-toting, Scripture-quoting, black-suit-wearing saint. He had a little edge on him, and it was a really good part.

  My character in the pilot was a Hollywood record producer who’s down on his luck a little bit. He has a list of records that haven’t done very well; he also has some back-tax problems and some money problems, and he’s not doing quite as well as he would like.

  Actually, nobody really knows how badly he’s struggling except for himself and his manager, but when things slow down he decides to move back home to Chicago and stay with his sister for a while. At one point he goes over to the old church where he used to be a member to see what’s happening, and he finds that it’s struggling too. Things aren’t really rolling in the church; membership is down, and there’s not much spirit, so he agrees to help out with the choir.

  You see, he grew up in the church, but when he got into the music scene and became a big R&B producer, he lost touch with it. So that’s the dynamic. He’s there, loving the kids, helping with the youth choir, and helping out the pastor; but he has regular problems like we all do. This character also becomes transparent an does not come across as perfect. He shows that we all stumble and fall, but as a young Christian brother, he gets back up..

  It shows that we all have imperfections, and if we’re going to touch Generation X, we’ve got to admit we’re not perfect.

  There aren’t too many spiritual leaders these days who are willing to let down their guard and show that they make mistakes just like everybody else. They don’t want people to know that they kick and yell if their team loses the Super Bowl or that they get angry at their kids and say things they shouldn’t say. I truly believe that’s why a lot of people never try Christianity—either because they assume they’ve got to be perfect to be a Christian or because they’ve seen Christians make mistakes then fail to admit their weaknesses.

  So, besides all the fun and good humor in the show, there’s a message for those who have ears to hear. We conducted a talent search to find the young people for the choir. The choir is multi-racial, and I think that’s a wonderful idea. The church is in a mixed neighborhood, and the pastor is white, so a lot of the chemistry and the humor grow out of this cross-cultural mix.

  I think that’s great, because it’s bridging some gaps and helping to put band-aids on some old wounds. It’s a chance to do something that’s both fun and creative that will also have a wholesome message. I must say, there are times when it’s a little intimidating working with all those Hollywood producers and executives who have so many hit shows under their belts, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

  I had an agreement to do a sitcom with UPN back in 1996, but I eventually had to bail out of the contract. In one episode, they wanted me to say that it was okay if one of the cast members was gay. I was supposed to say, “That’s perfectly normal,” and I couldn’t agree to that. I am not homophobic, and I don’t hate gay people, but I believe it is a choice, a wrong choice, and that Jesus has the power to repair the hurts in our hearts that lead to that kind of behavior.

  I tried to convince the producer of the series to rewrite the part so that my character could show concern for this gay person by doing something positive, like saving him from an angry mob. But they wouldn’t go for it, so I told them the deal was off. That was the end of that one, but it was just a matter of weeks before we got the call from Universal to take a look at this new program. My agents put together a contract, and now we’re doing a much better show with a much better concept, and I don’t have to say anything I don’t really believe.

  FANNING THE FLAMES

  The Bible says, “My people are destroyed
for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). I think that’s especially true in the black community today. Other stuff has taken our eyes off the prize, and we’ve let sin and lust and violence soak into everything we do. Ignorance is killing us, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

  First of all, I’m fully committed to keeping my own life in balance, which means putting God first, my family second, and my work third. I know that strategy works because I’ve seen it happen. As long as I keep those things at the top of my list and in that order, I know God will be honored and everything else will come out the way He wants it to.

  I just celebrated a couple of very important anniversaries in my life. It’s been over a year now since I fell off the stage in Memphis, and that’s an important landmark. It’s a feeling of relief to know the accident is mostly behind me now. During the recuperation, my doctors said I needed to be careful for the first year because there was still a chance I could have a seizure or something. But it didn’t happen and, praise God, the only time I’ve been back to the hospital since the fall was for the birth of our daughter, Kennedy.

  Tammy and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary on January 20, 1998, and my love for my wife is stronger today than ever before. My desire to be a better father and husband has grown stronger. I’ve grown so attached to Tammy and all three of our kids. My family— that’s my life! Other than Jesus, that’s what I wake up for each day, and that’s what I’m working for. I can’t find words to explain what my family means to me.

  Tammy is my best friend. She’s somebody I can laugh with and play with. I mean, we take care of business together; we solve problems together; we raise the kids together; and sometimes we have water fights and run around the house chasing each other like little kids, just acting silly. It means so much to have that kind of committed, loving, and permanent relationship bound by a strong bond of marriage and our faith in God.

  The biggest event for me in the near future will be the Nu Nation Convention in the year 2000. If God provides the opportunity and the right leadership along the way, it will be a major event and generate a lot of interest from all over the world. I hope to get young people from every continent and hundreds of nations to come together for a week for fellowship, for fun, and for learning, teaching, and workshops that will hold their interest.

  Very soon we’re going to announce the formation of Nu Nation chapters in every major city, with organized programs and an annual board meeting in the winter. We want to get youth pastors from around the country to take part and help us provide creative ideas for reaching young people. I believe that revival can come to this nation if God’s people will focus on the basics. I truly believe it will come, but not from the old leadership. It will come from young people themselves, and I believe it will come from Generation X.

  I’m doing all the things I do because I truly believe. I sing what I sing because I know there’s hope. I go where I go because all over this planet there are people who need to know that God is love and that Jesus is His Son. If I can break people’s hearts and touch them with music and laughter and love so that they’ll know that, “Yeah, there is a better way,” then I’ve accomplished what I’m here for.

  God only knows where I’ll be tomorrow. Only He knows what Kirk Franklin will do in the next ten years. But I’m on fire now and fanning the flames as fast as I can because, as I said in my one moment of glory at Eastern Hills Elementary School all those years ago, “I have a dream.” Dr. King’s dream was that all God’s children could be free and equal. My dream is that all free people will come to know Jesus.

  Music is not the only way to do that, but it’s one way. And it’s the way He has given me. So I’m ready, wherever He takes me from here! Can I get a witness?!

  Kirk Franklin & the Family

  God’s Property

  Kirk was adopted at age three by Gertrude Franklin.

  By age seven, he was offered his first recording contract.

  By age fourteen, he was a popular break-dancer.

  The house in which Kirk was born and grew up.

  Gertrude Franklin in 1943, years before Kirk came into her life.

  The black gospel workshop at Texas Christian University helped give twenty-one-year-old Kirk a little media exposure.

  BOTTOM: Members of the Family gather for a group photo with friends before a 1996 performance.

  Kirk and Tammy at their wedding reception January 20,

  1996. Kirk says he married his best friend.

  Kirk with his daughter Carrington and son Kerrion.

  TOP: Kirk and Tammy with Kerrion and Carrington.

  RIGHT: The Franklin family in front of Buckingham Palace in London, England in July 1996.

  TOP: Kirk, his wife and children, some of The Family members, and manager Gerald Wright, sightseeing in London.

  BOTTOM: Kirk runs through a rehearsal and a quick microphone check with members of God’s Property before their recording session.

  Kirk and Tammy (at eight months pregnant). Kirk was so excited and proud about his wife’s pregnancy that he wanted to take pictures embracing her stomach.

  LEFT: Proud Daddy holding 12-month-old Kennedy Elizabeth. Before he knew Tammy was expecting, Kirk was wishing for a baby girl. Kirk says Kennedy represents a second chance,

  completeness.

  The Franklin family posing for one of the pictures used as their 1997 Christmas card. “We refuse to get caught up in yours, mine, and ours,” says Kirk. “God gave us to each other, so we know our family is God ordained.”

  Among the many people instrumental to Kirk’s success are Vicki Lataillade (right), President of GospoCentric Records and Monica Bacon (left), Vice-President of GospoCentric Records.

  s su

  Kirk Franklin, onstage during the 1997 Tour of Life.

  During 1996 and 1997, Kirk Franklin and God’s Property were invited to perform their hit songs on several televised specials, including Soul Train, Live from the Apollo, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, and the highly acclaimed Savion Glover Special from New York City.

  Kirk Franklin is one gospel recording artist who has used his influence to spread the good news in virtually every entertainment medium.

  Kirk Franklin was co-host of the 1998 Stellar Awards broadcast and recipient of Best Gospel Song and Producer of the Year awards, among many others.

  TOP & BELOW: A 1998 Father’s Day photo. “God’s gift to me is Tammy and our three children. He has used them to help make who I’ve become.”