A sadness. . .

I am reminded that an old acquaintance has joined the heavenly chorus.  Ralph Clarence (Doc) Schultz  entered eternal rest to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior September 24, 2024.  Dr. Schultz had a life built around love for Christ, for church music, and for his family.  Though not as well known as some, he was one of the formidable talents Missouri raised up.  He earned degrees from Concordia University, River Forest IL, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and finally a Sacred Music Doctorate from Union Theological Seminary in NYC.  His life began as a teacher and musician at  a parish and its school in Cleveland and led to Concordia College in Bronxville NY, where he served for 37 years as Music Professor, Choir Director and President.

There were giants who were formed by faithful catechesis, faithful worship, faithful preaching, and faithful inspiration.  I knew some of them well enough to call by first name.  Ralph was one but only one of so many.  It was a profound moment in the history of Missouri when excellent teachers and musicians graced our parishes, colleges, and publishing house with excellence.  How sad it is that church music programs either disappeared or were left a shadow of their former selves.  Bronxville had dispensed with its own church music programs and organ instruction long before its demise.  I do not blame the administrators but we must acknowledge that something has happened along the way.  It is not merely a shortage of money and I do not believe it is a shortage of talent.  Could it be that we have lost our way as congregations and a church body?  Do we value as highly the lively interchange of Word and music that marked the character of church life a few generations ago or so?  Do we encourage the cultivation of music within the congregation's life and worship or view it as a non-essential budget line?  Do we laud the talents of those still among us whose gifts of word and song continue the faithful tradition in which Doc Schultz once stood?

Many years ago in the little parish I served in the Catskills of NY not far from the Hudson, we ventured forth to sponsor annual church music seminars for other church musicians and choir members throughout our area (not just Lutheran).  Doc Schultz led several of those choir workshops along with the likes of Gerry Coleman and others.  We had many folks show up for those.  Would they now?  Has our love for good church music been replaced by the playlist from the local evangelical Christian radio station?  I find a sadness not because there is a shortage of wonderful people with great talent and ability but that the Church of Pachelbel, Bach, Walther, and so many others seems to have lost its heart for their music and so has no attention left to give those who follow in their line.  It has been the greatest of joys in my ministry to have known wonderful parish musicians of great ability and dedication -- Pamela Slater, Rocky Craft, and now Jonathan and Katie Rudy.  What wonderful gifts to be recognized and cherished.  They are worthy of our respect, appreciation, and support (not in the least financial!) for they are great partners in the ministry of the Gospel.