An Interview with Andy Erwin of I Can Only Imagine

The movie I Can Only Imagine has become one of the surprise hits of the year. It’s now in its third week of firmly holding on to its top-five box office status – making it the envy of much larger studios. Last summer I sat down with Andy Erwin who co-directed the movie with his brother, John. Andy had great insights into fame, the glory of God, and authenticity in relationships. His interview, as well as others, is included in 4M Training: a unique approach to spiritual growth for men. My favorite Andy Erwin quote is

The greater the fame, the greater the insecurity.

I’m devoting today’s post to that interview. As men, most of us struggle with the desire for other’s approval. In our middle school years, we start to pay attention to the kids who are the most popular. In our adult years, this morphs into what our boss thinks of us and the work that we do. It’s easier for us to find our self-worth in the conversations others have about us than in the love God showed to us.

Andy and his brother John are storytellers in film. Their commitment to their craft continues to earn them high praise in the film making industry.

4M Training: You have shared that in the entertainment field “the greater the fame the greater the insecurity.” Why do you think that is?

Andy Erwin: I think that fame breeds insecurity – because we weren’t designed for that kind of glory, God was. It’s like the story of the Lord of the Rings. Each of the characters takes the ring believing it has such great potential for good, but before long they’re over in the corner caressing the ring and calling it precious. It corrupts them from within. That’s what fame is like when it’s pursued. When someone looks to fame to validate them as person, it destroys them from the inside out. They don’t become more secure, they become more insecure. It’s important to remember the difference between God’s character and our designs. We weren’t designed to receive the glory, but rather to reflect it back to God. There’s something about the entertainment industry that’s seductive. It promises what it can’t deliver, but before you know it, you’ve gone and drank the Kool-Aid.  I remember in our second film premier, the limo pulled up to the red carpet. They opened the door, there were all these flashes of light, and I had this empty feeling. Like I expected it to feel better than that. Fame promises that it will feel better – the next time. Then I looked around and realized that everyone struggled with insecurity, no matter who they were. The best answer is to not try to hold on to the attention, but to release it back to God. Give him the glory for how he’s used you. Don’t try to keep it for yourself.

4M Training: You’ve said that one of your core values as a filmmaker is authenticity.  Why is that important, and how do you maintain that quality with your family?

Andy Erwin: As men, we fear vulnerability, so it’s hard to be authentic. This goes all the way back to the fall of man. When Adam sinned, he could have taken the responsibility, but the first thing he did was throw Eve under the bus. We can’t be vulnerable, because we fear looking incompetent. We can’t be authentic because we’re too busy pretending like we have it all together. I find that we tend to edit out the struggle, and then our lives are nothing more than propaganda. Thankfully, I have a number of men in my life who call me to repentance, and a wife that comes along side me to help me see the gospel every day. As I lead with vulnerability, it makes it easier for her to be vulnerable, and together we can model that for the kids.  As men, one of the things we try to do is fix it, but I’m learning to be thankful that God is growing me a bit more every day.

4M Training is a 13-week, small group study for men. You can learn more about the unique approach of 4M Training here.