Dream in Soul:…One of the chapters that spoke to me was Chapter 4 “What is Purpose.” One of the important points you made in the book is that what people do does not define who they are. Was there a point in your life where you realized that?

Kirk Franklin: Yeah, yeah definitely there was a point in my life when that revelation really became true to me. It kind of resonates within me that you know music is what I do, the music is not who I am, so if I sell a lot of records that doesn’t make me who I am. If I don’t sell any records that doesn’t take away from who I am, and if I define myself by what I do then I’m going to always have to be doing, and so I’ll be a human doing instead of a human being. So, that was a very important thing for me to learn…

DS: Going along with that once I saw a tweet you tweeted a while back that said, “never let your gift become your god.” Can you talk about that and how you’ve learned that in your ministry; how does someone know when their gift or career has become an idol?

Below: A Tweet from @KirkFranklin

KF: Well, it’s just very important to see your gift through God’s lens. Once you realize that the gift really wasn’t for your benefit but the gift was really for His and He allows you to partake in it, it changes your perspective. It’s like, ok this is given to me to bring Him glory, not necessarily to bring myself glory. And so when you see that it’s something that’s on loan that you’re not an owner of it, you’re just a manager of it, then you respond differently.

Click here to read the full Dream in Soul interview with Kirk Franklin…

DS: You’ve said before ‘I am not a singer that happens to preach, but a preacher that has to sing,’ because singing is a gift and preaching is a calling. Can you talk a little about the difference between a gift and a calling? What message do you have for young adults in finding their calling vs. relying on the gifts?

MS: Well you know with me, this is my own personal definition, some people may disagree, but you know the Bible says gifts come without repentance. I try to make sure that they are separate. If you ask me what I mean by that – I’m gifted to sing but I’ve learned that I can be gifted and anointed and still live like the devil.

In order for you to be effective in the call you have to be tapped into the source. The only way you can remain connected to the source is you have to live a life that’s holy and acceptable by God. So that’s why I never put my gift before my call, I always make sure I put my call before my gift because that means that my focus remains in God first in everything that I do.

DS: You’ve said your music and pastoring go hand and hand as a ministry?

MS: Without question. As a matter of fact the fact that I’m able to sing enhances our worship service on a Sunday morning, it really helps to set the atmosphere so that when I stand up and preach the word of God it doesn’t fall upon the stony grounds of peoples hearts but it falls upon the fresh ground where it can be cultivated and grow. It gives me the opportunity to break up that fallow ground so that when I sow the seed it makes all the difference in the world in the hearts and minds of people.

DS: How do you balance the artistry, ministry and industry and stay focused on God when in a position like that of influence?

MS: Honestly, again this is my personal opinion, I think they go hand in hand. The Bible tells us a whole lot of things as pertains for looking out for the man or the woman of God and I think that one of the major challenges that we have is people being able to differentiate if you will what’s ministry and what’s business. The truth of the matter is we serve a God who is superlative in His nature and He requires excellence from us.

When we do function we are to function in a level of quality in business that gives Him glory. I think that when we do that, function in the level that he requires and desires us to function in He does ultimately get glory. So when people talking about separating them, I don’t know if you can, I think they all go hand in hand and I think that sometimes we can take it overboard. We can take ministry overboard, we can take business overboard, there has to be a balance and they have to work hand in hand. Sometimes you can be so business that the ministry is lost, and sometimes you can be so ministry that the business is lost, but we serve a God of balance. If we keep things balanced it makes things simpler.

DS: Is there a scripture that you would say embodies the message of this album or your work so far?

“Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

MS: Galatians 6:1 I believe says something to the effect of if you find someone overtaken with a fault you who are spiritual should restore someone gently. One of the major problems with the 21st century church is that we kill our wounded. What God is looking for is people who are spiritual enough not to kill our wounded but to love on them and to encourage them, especially if we’re spiritual we can restore them. The purpose of restoring them is that we can ourselves; what we sow out is what we reap back. I believe strongly that’s what “Here I Am” is really all about. It speaks about that whole concept of understanding that we all have issues that we’ve had to overcome. All of us ourselves have been places and done things we are not proud of, but even in that God doesn’t disqualify us if we get back up and make the decision not to go back there.

I love where it says “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of gentleness; look into thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We’re supposed to “bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1 and 2.

Click here to read the full interview about Marvin Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am.”

Stay tuned for the next Soul Dreamer Inspiration Interviews on the Dream in Soul Blog. Next we’ll talk to a young filmmaker who is using her passion to spread the love of God. We’ll also talk to a visual artist who teaches others to use the arts for God’s glory.

Dream in Soul interviewed Gospel Comedienne Tranea Prosser, also known as Miz T who shared how she discovered her passion to make others laugh and turned it into her ministry.

In the two part interview she answers some of the following questions:

What would you say to those people who might not think humor belongs in church?

How can someone know how they are to use their gifts for God? What advice do you have for young people who want to venture into a unique ministry field but are afraid to take the jump, or feel pressured to go into a more “traditional” field?

Click below for Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview:

Comedy for the Soul: Q&A with Comedienne Miz T, Part 1

Miz T is bringing healing to hearts with a dose of humor…

Tranea Prosser, otherwise known as Miz T, discovered that her natural ability to make others laugh could be her key to reaching hearts for God. The native of Austin, TX, who is also a singer and worship leader at her church, says that her original comedy material is rated “I” for the innocent. Her comical content ranges from stories within the church to musical skits. Miz T recently released her debut comedy CD, “Back at ‘Ya, Lord!”, and is bringing her hilarious message to churches and other venues, with the goal of tickling and touching souls one joke at a time. Here’s what Miz T had to say to DreaminSoul.com about how she got started in her ministry, and how she’s living out her God-given dream…

Lessons On Laughter: Part 2 of Q&A with Miz T – Gospel Comedienne

In part two Miz T gives some wisdom on supporting one another in ministry, advice for young people, and tips on embracing one’s unique calling….

Dream in Soul interviewed Dr. Naima Johnston Christian singer and author of “Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Out In Music Ministry.” She is a licensed minister of the gospel through the International City of Refuge Christian Ministries, and holds a PhD in Education from The Ohio State University. As an educator Dr. Johnston empowers people to accomplish their destiny and discover their purpose through seminars, workshops, life coaching, conferences and training programs that she designs.

In the two part interview Dr. Johnston answered some of the following questions:

What is the best advice you would give to young or beginning music artists?

How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?

Click below to read Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview:

Called to Sing: Interview with Author and Singer Dr. Naima Johnston, Part 1

Dr. Naima Johnston shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries.

Attempted suicide at 14. Sexually assaulted as a teenager. Told she wasn’t good enough to sing at 18. Struggled with eating disorders in college. Abused by live in boyfriend at 22. Saved by grace at 24. Broken-hearted and desolate at 30.

These are some of the tribulations that Dr. Naima Johnston faced throughout her life. In her early 30s, after she left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to pursue a career in Christian music, she found herself confused, financially bankrupt, emotionally drained, and doubting the calling of God.

After a serious year of reflection, soul searching and surrender, Dr. Johnston decided to rebuild her ministry with great enthusiasm and faith. Today she is a full-time minister and recording artist, and is free by the love of Christ. She shares her experiences in her book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry. Geared towards independent Christian artists and those contemplating a career in Christian music, this book addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth and development of their ministries.

As a minister, Christian recording artist and the CEO of Broken Box Ministries, Dr. Johnston uses her extensive personal experience as a “failure” to assist others who are building a music ministry. Here’s what she had to share with Dream in Soul and aspiring artists about following your call to sing…

Growing into Your Calling: Part 2 of Interview with Dr. Naima Johnston

In Part 1 of the interview, Dr. Naima Johnston introduced herself and her passion to share her past mistakes in ministry to help aspiring artists. In Part 2 she shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing, and gives even more advice on finding your calling. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries. If you missed it click here to read Part 1 of the interview.

Dream in Soul: How do you think someone knows what their ministry calling is? How do you know if you are called to sing?

Dr. Johnston: I think that we have to pursue our healthy passion. What’s that thing that you’ve always wanted to do? What’s that problem you’ve always wanted to fix? What’s that thing that’s a burden to your soul? I think you take that and begin to pursue that passion or try to fix that problem, or work to relieve that burden.

Sometimes I think we make the call of God so deep and difficult. Like it’s this elusive thing we can’t seem to get a grip on. But I think deep down most of us know what we’re called to do, it’s implanted in us before we are born. We just need to know how the Lord would have us to live out that call. Some folks have a true burden for missions work, then it gets specific, to a particular country and they go. Some people wind up living their entire life on the mission field, some go once a year. Some folks are called to full time music ministry to travel and share with others, some are called to stay in the local church and lead worship.

Prayer… lots of prayer about the thing that you are most passionate about and then start walking in that. I truly believe if you go forward with a sincere heart and an open ear, God will correct if you’re off course.

DS: How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?