Kirk Franklin Announces New Christmas Gospel Movie
By Movieguide® Staff
Grammy Award-winning singer Kirk Franklin recently announced his new gospel Christmas movie, KIRK FRANKLIN’S A GOSPEL CHRISTMAS.
The Lifetime movie, produced by Franklin, is set to air on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. CST and star Demetria McKinney, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, and Jen Harper.
“The film will show how much gospel music can live and survive outside of just Sunday morning,” Franklin told The Christian Post. “It can be on TV, on Broadway and in movies.”
“The agenda should be that, whether it’s male or female, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached and that it’s being shared with the world,” Franklin said. “I don’t want to get into doctrine. I just want to be able to tell stories that align with the totality of the Gospel and the truth. And I think there hasn’t been enough honest conversations about identity and value and the esteem that we don’t have to be cookie-cutter.”
Franklin, 51, said that he hopes the movie will inspire movies and media content to showcase gospel music.
“Gospel music has always influenced American music, from your biggest pop stars, their musicians and their band of singers — [who] are all from the black church,” he said. “And so, we see that influence is all over pop culture for years from Elvis Presley to Kanye West. … This is an opportunity to just showcase the viability of the genre [of gospel music].”
“It’s been fun. It’s been great,” he continued. “I’m looking forward to people seeing the film.”
Franklin said that aside from the music, the movie also addresses modern Church culture.
“A lot of times — especially when I was growing up in the Church — if you didn’t sound, look and act the way that the seasoned saints wanted you to, you didn’t have a voice. And so, you always had to look like other people,” Franklin explained. “There’s a lot of simulation which has happened in Christian culture, and so hopefully this movie does show the story of the come-as-you-are. It’s a very true lens to see all the sheep, to see all of us at the foot of the cross needing this incredible story of amazing grace.”
“I think sometimes we make the building or institution this magical kingdom … which is the mistake of the culture to create this misnomer that there is a spirit of protection that has to be implied,” he continued. “When you have a canon of sacred writings that showcases winos, murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, liars, connivers and schemers, but then we want the tangible Church to look like this ivory snow place of worship … this gives the true story of why the Son of Man came. Because on our own, we are a mess.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
