Gospel music superstar Kirk Franklin is opening up about some of his biggest regrets, his complicated relationship with God and why he’s no longer afraid to challenge expectations within the Church.

The 20-time Grammy Award winner, 56, recently spoke with The Christian Post about his personal struggles, family relationships and the lessons he’s learned throughout his more than 30-year career.

Franklin, who released his latest album, I Am What I Am, on October 30, admitted that his passion for music sometimes came at the expense of his wife, Tammy, and their four children.

“I didn’t have a mother and father tell me they love me,” Franklin explained. “The first thing [that] told me [it loved me] was music.”

He acknowledged that balancing his career with family responsibilities hasn’t always been easy, including missing out on everyday moments like school meetings, homework and date nights.

“I want to love you enough to let you know that I see that,” he said of those closest to him.

His new album reflects that honesty, particularly the opening track, “Free Me Tonight,” which addresses his personal failures, including a widely publicized conflict with his son.

Rather than pretending to have everything figured out, Franklin said he’s learning to embrace his imperfections and God’s forgiveness.

“I’m older, and I’m freer now,” he said. “And so I’m just more comfortable in my skin.”

That freedom has also changed how Franklin views Christianity. Growing up in a religious environment that emphasized rules and restrictions, he said he often struggled to understand that following Jesus could include happiness and personal freedom.

“A lot of black church culture historically, sometimes, especially in the Pentecostal movements, it was very much a lot of what you can’t do versus what you can do,” he explained.

Franklin also addressed criticism surrounding his recent collaboration with mainstream rapper GloRilla on the song “This Time.”

Some Christians questioned whether working with an artist known for explicit lyrics compromised his Christian witness.

Franklin said he welcomes biblical discernment and legitimate concerns but takes issue with the harshness of some responses.

“I want people to know that their questions and their critique and their judgment is all welcomed,” he said. “My challenge has always been … the cruelty, the mean-spiritedness of it that can sometimes be presented.”

He recalled GloRilla asking him why Christians seemed unwilling to accept her participation in music that praises God.

“If a rock can praise God, Kirk, why can’t I?” she reportedly asked.

The gospel singer also discussed mental health, another subject addressed on his new album. Franklin, who has previously spoken about anxiety and depression, encouraged churches to support those seeking professional treatment.

“Some things you don’t necessarily pray it all away,” he said. “Some things need medicine. Some things need counseling. Some things need help and hope.”

Ultimately, Franklin said his greatest spiritual transformation has come from understanding God’s grace rather than living in constant fear of punishment.

He explained that he spent much of his life believing God’s approval depended on doing everything right.

“It is more of His faithfulness to me and the understanding of grace at levels that I never really fully comprehended before,” Franklin said.

He hopes sharing those lessons will encourage others who grew up with similar fears to discover a deeper relationship with God.

“That’s a hard place to build an intimate relationship when you’re scared of somebody,” he said.