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.”

In Praise of Big Churches

Hebrews 2:1-4

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4  while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Church on the Rock - Allenspark, Colorado
Church on the Rock – Allenspark, Colorado

There is a tendency today in the cutting edge of Christian mission that seems to downplay the validity, or even strongly criticize large churches. These bureaucratic institutions poorly reflect Jesus’ call for Christian disciple-making. People too often become mere spectators of religious performance, and leaders fall prey to the temptation to attain and maintain celebrity status. Certainly those are true challenges. Jesus calls us to make disciples. He is the One who must increase. We leaders must always seek to decrease so that Jesus can shine through more fully.

But the problem is not one of large churches, it is one of false focus. And a large gathering of disciples who are celebrating God’s work in their lives and in the world through their unified efforts is a powerful tool for keeping us focused on the salvation we have received.

When we think of large churches, we often think of gatherings of thousands. Some of those are easy targets for charges of celebrity as opposed to Christian leadership and disciple-making. It is easy in some of those settings to become a mere spectator to the religious performances of those up front.

But it is also very inspiring to be in the company of people who want to celebrate the work of God and seek the advancement of the Kingdom of God in their lives and communities. There is a great blessing to be had in large gatherings of people focusing their hearts and praise on the salvation of Jesus; that kind of celebration may well keep us from neglecting this great salvation which we have by God’s grace in Jesus.

By the way, a very large church in the United States would be a church with 400 or more in worship. Fully 50 percent of all churches in the US have fewer than 100 people in worship on a Sunday morning. You are in a large church if you gather with 200 other disciples on a typical Sunday.

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