Felix A. Lorenz, Jr.
1922
-Throughout his life, Felix Lorenz has charted a unique course, one driven by dedication to service and an adherence to deeply held views about being honest to one's convictions about truth and justice. In following those inner voices, he has been a musician, teacher, businessman, magician, and minister - at times doing all of these activities simultaneously. Additionally, along the way, he became a licensed electrician, taxi driver, surveyor, registered music therapist, accredited public-relations counselor, and a member of Mensa.
Lorenz graduated from Maplewood Academy in Minnesota, in 1939. In January 1943, as he was about to begin the second semester at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, he was invited to care for the music at an evangelistic series 130 miles away, in Kearney. His wife moved into the girls' dormitory for the rest of the year. They bought, a car and small house trailer and he became a singing evangelist and pastor for the next six years. During this time he completed a B.Mus. at McPhail College, in music and drama.
In 1949, he traveled to Washington, D.C., where he attended the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary until 1953, going a year beyond the completion of an M.A. in religion. While in the area, he attended American University, where he completed coursework for a master's degree in public relations. He subsequently worked on a doctorate in educational administration at Peabody College for Teachers and a D.Min. at the Institute for Advanced Pastoral Studies in Detroit. He also attended Vanderbilt University, but left, along with other students, when a black student was expelled without just cause.
Beginning in 1944, while working in the Midwest, Lorenz taught music at Maplewood Academy and Sheyenne River Academy, now Dakota Adventist Academy. In the next decade he would teach music at Auburn, Campion, and Sunnydale academies. While living in the Washington, D.C., area, he also directed choirs at the Washington Sanitarium (now Washington Adventist Hospital) and the SDA seminary
After a year of teaching at a public high school in Minnesota, he moved to Madison College in 1955, where he taught music, speech and religion for three years. When he left Madison, he stayed in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, continuing his education while working as Director of Adjunctive Therapies in the state mental hospital, and as Director of Public Relations at the U.S. Courthouse Credit Union.
In 1961, Lorenz moved to the Detroit area where he continues to live today. In the past four decades he has directed several church choirs in the area and the Lighthouse Chorale (an interracial group of advanced musicians), taught in Lincoln Park High School for 15 years, led bands in parochial schools for 35 years, owned a public relations firm and recording studio, and performed as a magician for 40 years.
Through all of these activities, ministry has been Lorenz's passion. A self-described "tentmaker" (self-supporting) minister, he has felt comfortable in working for many denominations. He was associate minister of Cass Methodist Church for fifteen years where he worked with the senior minister in Detroit’s inner city, an experience which Lorenz has described as a "new and thrilling ministry paradigm."
Lorenz has worked as choir director in several churches and, while in Detroit, has led song services for John Zoller, America's first radio preacher, Bob Jones, Sr., during his last crusade, E.E. Cleveland, C.D. Brooks, and others. He has ministered for over 20 years in the United Church of Christ, serving most recently at St. Paul's UCC in Northville, Michigan, as well as at the Dearborn Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Through the years, he has also been an active Seventh-day Adventist, maintaining dual memberships in it and the United Church of Christ. He has commented,
My membership in the United Church of Christ does not violate Seventh-day Adventism, in policy or in principle. I am proud to be part of the UCC, proud of its history. Dual membership is in no way a repudiation of my Adventism. Unusual? Yes, my ministry is unique, structured only for me. . . . I know the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy and Adventism as well as any of my critics. I am a fourth-generation, lifelong Seventh-day Adventist. I taught Bible doctrines and Daniel and the Revelation at Madison College and in several academies. Incidentally, the meditations in my church bulletins have for more than 20 years been quotes from Ellen G. White, usually from The Desire of Ages.
In commenting on his role as a magician, Lorenz recently wrote:
Magic was a ministry, both Gospel and secular. I never charged a fee, but my expenses were usually paid. (As an entertainer I was still a "tentmaker"!) Magic took me to nearly every state in the Union and all over Canada.
Lorenz has served on numerous community boards and committees. Over the years, his unique multifaceted ministry has been honored in many ways. Andrews University chose him as an Alumnus of Achievement in 1977. He has been included in several Who's Who listings, and was given the Stewart Kerr Ecumenical Award in 1998. That same year he was a recipient of the Recognition of Achievement award by the Wayne County Sheriff, for his many years as Chief Chaplain in their Chaplain Corps.
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