David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Free & Joyous

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (NIV) [emphasis added]

…God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

These festive decorations adorn a sombrero in a Progresso, Mexico shop.

President Gerald B. Kieschnick, President of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, gave the keynote address at the opening banquet of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund conference Friday evening. He identified three critical targets for our church body; one of which has to do with developing the stewardship life of the people of our congregations: to be faithful, generous, committed, joyful and purposeful stewards. Our church has defined Christian stewardship in this manner:

Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the Church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.

– LCMS Board of Stewardship Services

 Are you a free and joyful Christian steward? If not what needs to change in your heart, your budget, your priorities, and your walk with Christ? God’s provision is not in question; how we will participate in His mission and as His stewards will make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

When we realize that all we are and all we have comes from God, and that we are trustees of all these gifts, we will discover a new freedom and joy. Our generosity is not about our good name or altruism, it’s about reflecting the goodness and generous provision of God in our lives.

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