David Bahn – Reflections

Many years ago I attended a church convention where nearly every vote went the opposite way that I voted. None of “my candidates” were elected. I was even on the ballot and I was not elected. I remember the sense of disappointment I felt. I went around singing, “Built on the Rock, the Church doth stand, even when steeples are falling.” Only I was not singing it as an anthem of confidence and encouragement, but as a dirge of disappointment.

While the steel structure of the new worship center, and the soon-to-be-erected glue-lam beams provide strength to the building, the true strength of the church is the confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him,  “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The strength of our church body (The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod) is founded upon the truth of God’s Word as expressed in the grace of God in Christ. Blue Ribbon Task Forces, newly-elected officials, constitutional changes, reclamation of missionary zeal, and reaffirmation of faithful teaching all are intended to support our church body. But in the end, our strength is in Christ and His promise.

I head off today for the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. I will help President Gerald B. Kieschnick as his on-podium personal assistant. I am happy to serve in this way and greatly appreciate his service and focus as our synodical president. I strongly support his re-election In addition I am nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. I will be honored to serve if elected. But the week holds out greater blessing than who is elected. God is over all things and rich in grace and true to His word. Therefore what he allows, causes to happen, directs us to do, leads the delegates to elect, will ultimately serve his mission and his purposes; because we are built on the Rock: Jesus Christ.

• His mission: Seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
• His purpose: For the praise of his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. Amen.