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.”

Purposeful Appointment

Tom was never chosen first when he and his friends played sports; he was not athletic. Sometimes he was chosen last; often next-to-last. Always the team captain chose him reluctantly: “I guess we’ll take Tom.” Imagine how it feels to him today to be chosen early on – for anything! Jesus has chosen us by his grace; without reluctance, but with great joy and expectation. We have been chosen to bear fruit!

Fruit of the Vine
These immature grapes will grow to a delightful and large cluster and eventually make their way to the winery and be turned into wine.

John 15:12-17

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

It is most striking to me that Jesus says to his disciples that he chose them and appointed them for the purpose of bearing fruit. Tom has it all wrong if he thinks that being chosen for the team is all about whether or not he is chosen last. He would be chosen to be part of the team’s efforts at playing ball – and winning at it.

And therein lies the rub. We’re not all winners; at least not at every sport, and some not at any sport. But when it comes to being chosen by Jesus his choice of us is not based on our qualifications. Nor are his expectations vested only in our powers or strength. He chooses us and empowers, enables, motivates, and authorizes us to bear lasting fruit.

What would that be? A kind word spoken to a discouraged friend can have lasting impact. An act of service in Christ’s name to someone in need can communicate eternal love. A hand on the shouldre or a helping hand up when someone has fallen can put a person on an eternally-good track. A gift given from the heart may be able to redeem a soul from despair.

Christ has chosen us to bear fruit. That fruit will remain as we honor the One who has chosen us out of his love and grace with a purpose in mind.

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