Interview by Jim Pedersen of Ralph Carmichael
 In May, 2007, NCC President Jim Pedersen had the opportunity to sit down and talk with legendary Christian conductor and composer Ralph Carmichael. The video of this interview will be mailed to churches in late July to be played during announcement time. Following is the transcript of this interview.
Jim Pedersen: Hello, this is Jim Pedersen, president of the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. I’m excited to talk to you today about the convocation that the Northern California Conference is sponsoring on September 15 at the Sacramento Convention Center. It’s going to be a full day of activities starting at 9:30 in the morning, with a morning filled with events of worship and inspiration and challenge and excitement for members of all ages.
Then in the afternoon, we are going to be having a special concert of hymns. It’s going to be a day that I hope you, your family, and your friends are planning to attend.
The afternoon concert is very special, featuring great hymns of the Christian church. It will be featuring the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, several hundred choir members from around our conference, performing hymns specially arranged by Ralph Carmichael. And it is a real pleasure today to be speaking with Ralph Carmichael.
Welcome. I am looking forward to this event together.
Ralph Carmichael: It’s good to be with you Jim.
Pedersen: We’re so glad that you have agreed to be part of this special day with us. Thank you.
Carmichael: I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Pedersen: The hymns of the church are special to all of us. What is it about the hymns of our faith that really get you excited?
Carmichael: Well, the hymns are not archaic. They’re as new and fresh today as when they were first written, and I like the idea that some very gifted composers along the way took bits of Scripture and turned them into poetic verse. Scripture – that’s important. It’s God’s word, and that’s what He has promised to bless, not any particular form of music, but to bless His word. And then, some of those old melodies, they’re just gorgeous. And so to take these and write – when I sit down to write an arrangement of the old hymns, I study the lyric and it’s like I have a responsibility to paint a picture in sound.
Pedersen: The day for us, our convocation, is going to be a day of fellowship, of inspiration, of motivation. Our theme for the whole day is “Be Bold For God.” How do you envision this concert in the afternoon fitting in to what we are trying to accomplish on that day?
Carmichael: Well, I would like to think that everybody in attendance would be touched by the truth and truth emboldens one. I would like to think that everyone in attendance, when they hear the story of God’s love, would have this marvelous sense of belonging all over again. And I want the day to be inspirational. I don’t want anybody to leave there the same as they came in, and the only way we can make sure that that happens is that God’s presence will be felt.
Pedersen: Early on in your life, I understand you made a commitment to God for your life and the talents he has given you. Would you talk just a brief moment about that?
Carmichael: It’d take me too long to tell you all the little lessons God had to teach me, but somewhere along the way, I found out that maybe, God could use my interest in music. Maybe through the music, I could help communicate the story of redemption. I think what you are referring to was a deal I made with God: “God take everything that I have if you will give me the opportunity to do this, do that, and experiment here.” And first thing you know, my life began to be filled with opportunities, doors opened and they’re still opening. You opened one for me in Sacramento. So God has been faithful; I haven’t always been faithful, but God has always been faithful. And I sit here with you today absolutely jumping up and down on the inside looking forward to this opportunity up in Sacramento.
Pedersen: Ralph, thank you so much. It’s an honor to work with you, and we are so excited about this big day for our conference, and I hope that those who are watching this will plan to be with us on September 15, starting at 9:30 in the morning, going all morning. Then in the afternoon, coming back 3:00 for a great concert of hymns, orchestra, choir and the music of Ralph Carmichael. |
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