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When it comes time to film the next scene, plates of fried chicken, greens, potatoes and slices of white bread are set on the table. The scene is perfect until the extra playing the waitress exits the restaurant and lets out of whoop of glee. "Cut!" They shoot it again.

Then it's on to a scene where Ethan and Jake are in an intense conversation over lunch—only they're not supposed to actually eat the food. Michael forgets and takes a bite: "Cut!" All the while, Taylor tells everyone they're doing great. The producer reminds him about the schedule; they haven't got all day, and time is money—the producer's money. Everyone smiles. It's all good.

Maybe I'm the only one who sees the vein popping up on Taylor's forehead every now and then. He never raises his voice. He's just real intense.

It's Taylor's first feature film, and he says he just wants it "to be authentic." Taylor's father was a pastor. He has lived and breathed church life, witnessing moments of grace and hypocrisy. Both are real. He feels that Christians come off as cartoon-like in most media portrayals, though Robert Duvall's The Apostle is an exception: "He got it right," says Taylor.

Taylor wants to get this one right, too. He wants to give audiences a real look at life in the church, challenging the stereotypes. Taylor and co-writers Chip Arnold and Ben Pearson seek to portray the thoughtfulness and complexity of a genuine Christian life. They cast "real people" from the film's various urban locations. Carr is an experienced actor who also works with a ministry to young men in Nashville's inner city. Taylor seeks to incorporate this level of authenticity into every facet of the film.

Taylor is known for his outside-of-the-box music and video productions. His voice and vision are unique in the Christian music business. He doesn't seek to fit his artistry into a particular worldview; rather he simply expresses his creative impulses.

Film producer Coke Sams—who worked on several Ernest movies with Jim Varney in the early '90s, recalls viewing videos submitted for Christian music's Dove Awards over the years. "There was everyone else's work," says Sams, "and then there was Steve's work." Sams believes this film's universal themes, such as overcoming social injustice, will appeal to a wide audience.

It's a wrap at the God Almighty Restaurant. Time for lunch. Spirits are high. A woman runs up to the restaurant's owner in tears. "We're getting paid for this!" she exclaims over and over, jumping up and down. "You don't know how bad I need this money. And we get lunch too!" It's fun to see her so excited.

Lunch is served family style at long white tables. As I walked to my car, I turned for one last look at The God Almighty Restaurant and Community Center. The movie's star, extras, writers, director, producers and crew are assembled under one of the catering tents, loading their plates.

As I drive away, I realize how much it looks like a congregation gathering for a potluck dinner.

Merrill Farnsworth is a winner of the ASCAP songwriters award for "Heaven's Heart," co-written with Michelle Tumes and a former No. 1 CCM hit. She is also lyricist for several children's productions, including the CBS animated special starring Jim Belushi, The Nuttiest Nutcracker.

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