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.”

Our Agenda for the Next Four Years

Mark 1:17-20

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

I’ll admit it, I’m disappointed about yesterday’s presidential election results. I’ve given some thought to the importance of the Church’s mission relative to the political realities of our nation. I even have in mind a sermon series that I hope would speak to the community as a part of a larger effort to shape society in more godly and moral ways. I agree with someone who said that the church has failed to speak forcefully into society about issues of sexuality, greed, personal responsibility, and protection for the children in the womb.

But while it may be true that we have failed to be salt and light as we should, the primary responsibility for the Christian Church is not shaped by the need to reshape culture. Our primary responsibility is to advance the Kingdom of God – or better yet, participate in God’s work of advancing his Kingdom. We may well shape the culture for the better – and we should! – but our motive and agenda is to call people to repent and believe.

Jesus didn’t call the disciples to follow him so that he could reform the fishing industry. He didn’t call James and John in order to shape the business practices of their father (apparently somewhat wealthy with hired servants). He called them to make them fishers of men. He called them to follow him and let him shape their hearts and lives.

The agenda for the Christian in light of the election is to follow Jesus; daily repenting and believing the gospel. This is true no matter who won or might have won the presidential election. We must keep that foremost in our minds. And while I believe such an agenda will shape the world for the better (We are salt and light according to Jesus after all.), I believe the Kingdom transcends political realities and cultural challenges.

Many of my friends are disappointed today – maybe even deeply discouraged and worried – because of the election results. Some of my friends are happy and hopeful. But that doesn’t change my attitude toward them, nor should it shape my approach to this day. God is on the throne and Jesus is my king. I hope he is your king too.

Prayer for the President

O Lord God almighty, King of all creation, look with favor upon this world which you have created. Forgive our sins, our failures, and our lack of zeal in advancing your Kingdom among us. We pray for our United States President, Baraak Obama, and ask that you would give him wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and humility – all so that he may govern well. We pray for him because your Word calls us to pray for all who are in authority, and we ask that you would use him for your glory and your Kingdom’s sake. We pray for the good of our nation, for peace and decency, and for your will to be done in and through us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mark 1:14-28

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 Andthey were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

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