Recently, Forrest Frank issued a statement that he would no longer attend or accept awards from either the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards or the Grammy Awards for his musical work in the contemporary Christian music (CCM) business. His statement in an Instagram post of October 6, 2025 is as follows:

“As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line in the sand is between being in the world and not of the world. 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. And I was wrestling with this last year. I even said that onstage at the Dove Awards. I said, ‘I’m still struggling with the concept of seeing this award, but all glory to Jesus, every name will fade away, including mine, except for one name.’ I feel a conviction to go even a step further and say, ‘I don’t know if I even want to step on the stage; I don’t know if I want to step in the room.’ I have decided to take a stance of non-participation. I will not be attending the Doves or the 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?”

Frank was criticized by some for his stance on the matter, most notably by Jelly Roll – a relatively new believer who is prominent in 2025 on the CCM charts. In a post, he stated:

“Won’t receive trophy for something from Jesus for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus. Maybe im (sic) missing something here lol.”

Indeed, Jelly Roll is missing something, but this is what happens when new believers attempt to comment on complex theological issues. To reduce this issue to a sentence posted on Instagram is like saying that The Lord of the Rings is a novel about a couple of friends who go for a walk. And indeed, the thing Jelly Roll is missing is not related to Frank’s personal belief, opinion, or conviction; Jelly Roll missed a point of theology – the teachings and beliefs of the church at large.

The issue is this: There is a distinct difference in receiving a living from the gospel and accepting accolades in terms of being named “The Best” among peers who are in a business related to proclaiming the gospel. And make no mistake about it – the Christian music industry is a music business complete with agents and A&R people and people who keep track of and distribute the money and lawyers. And if you run afoot of the rules of so-called “Christian music,” you will face legal troubles from both the industry and the IRS. The bottom line of the Christian music industry is the bottom line.

Nothing in the Bible forbids people from making a living (or profiting) from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, it is an issue that is defended by the apostle Paul. In writing to the Corinthians, in chapter 9, verses 6-14, Paul states:

Or do only Barnabas and I not have authority to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not consume the fruit of it? Or who shepherds a flock and does not consume the milk of the flock? Am I speaking these things according to human judgment? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.” Is God merely concerned about oxen? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this authority over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:6-14, LSB)

I could spend a few hours interpreting this passage, but let it suffice to say that two relevant points are clear from this passage. First, the priests of the Old Covenant received a portion of the offering to support their work that they did for God, and they did so with the blessing of Moses and the Law. (verse 9) Second, Paul applies this Old Covenant principle to those who share the gospel of the New Covenant. It is acceptable to God to make a living from the gospel. It is not prohibited or forbidden. Within the context of the discussion about workers and wages, this point is clear in verse 14.

However, the issue that troubles Forrest Frank is that a theological line is crossed in both the Grammy awards to Christian artists and in the Dove Awards. Music awards are not compensation for preaching the gospel, but instead they serve to elevate the performer above the message. Musical awards muddy the water of intention and motive. The awards honor one performer or one group as “The Best” or “The Most Excellent.” In spite of the winner’s praises given to Jesus and the glory given to God, at the end of the night one performer or one group carries home a trophy, or as Forrest Frank put it – “a piece of metal” – and with it the recognition of an industry that they are the winner. The award communicates that one person is better than the others. However, to say that an awards show actually identifies “the best” in a category is preposterous. Everyone nominated for the award has achieved a level of excellence at what they do, or they wouldn’t be there.

Even more absurd is the notion that the featured performers on the show are the only excellent performers singing Christian music throughout the United States. Literally hundreds of other artists exist who are just as accomplished and just as talented as those featured on the awards shows, but they have either 1) chosen to perform on their own terms or 2) they have been rejected by the Nashville machine. For example, singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson is a much better songwriter than most of those nominated, yet his name is never nominated because he has no ties to a major record company. Ben Rector’s work is superb and uplifting, yet he has very few songs featured on Christian radio. Jeff Johnson, another independent artist, is a better composer than most of those nominated, yet his work remains unplayed and unheard because he has no ties to the Nashville/Los Angeles music machine and Christian radio. And Texas! An entire group of Texas Christian musicians exist in obscurity to most of the nation because they have never been played on Christian radio.

Further, the Dove Awards is merely a sanitized copy of the Grammy Awards – which is a music industry awards ceremony whose primary goal is to increase record sales and number of streams. And both awards ceremonies look alike. Turn off the sound to both the Grammys and the Doves and see if you notice any difference in production. Apart from the females not looking like prostitutes and the absence of androgynous dancers, you will see the same lighting, the same stage fog, the same pyrotechnics, and the same effect of rain falling upon the singer emanating from Nashville that is present in a Hollywood/Los Angeles production.

If you do not believe that the Dove Awards are merely a “Christian” copy of the Grammys and exist to gain more downloads or streams, where are the award categories for Best Pastor, Best Sermon, Best Children’s Director, Best Evangelist, or even Best Church? Why is “musician” the only spiritual talent that has been exalted above all others? Could it be that no industry can be promoted by such awards, therefore no need exists for the accolades in a calling that demands sacrifice and giving of time, resources, and talent. The reason you don’t see such awards is that anyone in Christian ministry knows that working for Jesus is reward enough, and no award is needed to validate its value. Why must there be an award for singing about Jesus?

My wife loves the Dove Awards. She never misses the broadcast. She records it and watches it several times throughout the year. But the awards are not the reason she watches. She watches simply to see the performances. She also loves Christian music cruises and Christian music festivals that feature a variety of artists. So, Nashville, here is my suggestion: Feature a quarterly concert broadcast of live performances by Christian artists who are being featured on Christian radio. (iHeart Radio has already figured this out.) You will still get to advertise the music for streaming and downloads. You still expose the audience to new artists and those who are presently on the radio. But please, forego the ridiculous idea that one of them is better than the other and simply share the joy of the music! Eliminate the idea of presenting an award to one person over another and, in so doing, set yourself above the world’s standards and ideals. If indeed the music is “Christian,” live by Christian principles and make each other more important than yourselves.

I don’t know if Forrest Frank’s decision to not do awards shows will make any difference in the industry other than to raise a talking point for a week or two. Forrest Frank is probably just the “news of the day.” I don’t think Frank has the musical “clout” to change anything. (Even Bob Dylan’s rejection of his prize had no effect on the Nobel Prizes for literature.) Unfortunately, if Forrest Frank rejects the Christian awards shows, they will probably reject him, too. He’s cute, his songs are catchy, and he appeals to young girls between the ages of 12 and 24. But in the music industry, someone else who is cute and catchy is always just a song away. What Forrest Frank may do is change someone’s mind about wanting to be a recognized Christian artist. A young person who loves his music and desires to follow Frank’s example may actually consider what ministry is at its heart, and in so doing, follow Jesus’ example more than the example of a radio star or the recipient of “a piece of metal.” A young person may actually question his or her motives for expressing their love of God through music. Thank you, Forrest Frank, for raising the issue.

Doug Hanks is a worship leader and songwriter who had songs on the radio in 1982. He has never won a Dove Award, but he does get an occasional royalty check from BMI that enables him to take his wife out to dinner at In-N-Out.