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.”

How many do you worship?

Hebrews 12:12-29

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

My soapbox is at the ready whenever anyone asks me “How many do you worship?” The question is asked by fellow pastors who want to know how many people are in worship at the church in serve. But the question betrays a dangerous temptation to idolize the number of people in worship and make that more important than the One we worship. Truth be told, there are certain levels of worship attendance that are significant. Each level is also a barrier and a potential plateau in the growth of a church: the 200 barrier, the 400, 800, 1200, 1700 and so on.

While we at St. John are in the face of the 800 barrier, there is a much more important truth that applies to any church with 40, 140, 400 or 4000 in worship: We are not alone. We join innumerable angels in festal gathering, together with all the company of heaven when we gather for worship.

When someone asks me how many we worship, I make it a point to say, we worship one. The almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit invites our worship, adoration, and praise. We come to him through the blood of Jesus and count it a privilege to honor him. Look around today with the eyes of faith. And no matter how many or few people are in your church building, rejoice in the company of heavenly host who worship and praise our God and King.

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