Christian artist Forrest Frank has had a standout year with his new album Child of God earning him lots of praise. He received 7 nominations this year from the Dove Awards, including artist and song writer of the year. Frank, however, announced that he had decided to forgo any awards shows, including the Dove Awards, for the foreseeable future. Sharing a video on TikTok, Frank explained his reasoning. The video had the headline “Convicted not to attend award shows for Christian music.” “As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line in the sand is between being in the world and not of the world,” said Frank. “And as a Christian artist, I know I kind of dress as of the world. I kind of look like the world. My music can kind of sound like the world. So, where’s the line in the sand drawn?”

Frank went on to say that he felt “convicted.” “I’m convicted, personally, that a line that I can draw is that I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus. I was wrestling with this last year. I even said that on stage at the Dove Awards. I said, ‘I’m still struggling with the concept of receiving this award, but all glory to Jesus, every name will fade away, including mine, except for one name,’” he said. The struggle has led Frank to a feeling of not even wanting to take the stage this year. “And so I have decided to take a stance of nonparticipation,” he said, saying he would not attend the Dove Awards and Grammys. “I hope to be an example to the youth that the trophy is our salvation. The trophy is that my name is listed in the Book of Life and I get to have eternal life. What good is a piece of metal going to do compared to that?”

Despite receiving support from singers like CeCe Winans, who wrote, “Stay true to your convictions!!” Frank did receive some criticism for his decision. On Instagram, Jelly Roll, a secular artist who is up for an award for his collab with Brandon Lake for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” wrote “Won’t receive trophy for something from Jesus for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus. Maybe im missing something here lol.” He later added that while he did “dig” Frank’s take, he questioned the idea of still accepting “MILLIONS of dollars doing that same thing that is From Jesus for Jesus.” Christian band King’s Kaleidoscope noted that Frank didn’t have to submit his songs for consideration if he really didn’t want to attend the shows.

While some struggle with Frank’s take, he may have bigger plans on the horizon. After the NFL announced that Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican singer with sexually explicit lyrics, would be heading the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show, many are looking for a kid friendly alternative. Worship leader Cory Asbury shared a video call with Frank where the two discussed the possibility of airing a family friendly show at the same time. “My vision is this, blow it up huge. Let’s get a stadium. Let’s go crazy,” said Asbury. “While people are glorifying money and fame and s-e-x and all kinds of stuff that we don’t want to see, we can lift up the name of Jesus.”