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.”

Throw-away Phrase

Acts 2:14-21

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

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I’ve been at the FiveTwo Wiki Conference this week. This gathering of mostly LCMS Lutherans is focused toward planting sacramental churches, and being a vital part of God’s mission in the world today. Keynote speaker Michael Frost has challenged us to announce and demonstrate the “Reign of God” in the face of the darkness and brokenness that surrounds us. Yesterday he said there are four ways that the reign of God is manifest:

  • Reconciliation between God and between peoples
  • Justice – in particular for the poor and those who have no voice
  • Beauty – as opposed to the squalor of sin, violence, debauchery, and decay
  • Wholeness – health and wellness: a body-mind-spirit redemption

I’m struck by what he said and just how it relates to Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the world. The relationship is not immediately obvious, but it is there, and I am committed to announcing and demonstrating the reality of the reign of God starting in my own neighborhood. It is in that context that the Good News of Jesus may be shared.

This Pentecost event is a clear expression of the Reign of God by at all four of these signs. Peter takes his stand proclaiming that God has made good on his promise of the Holy Spirit’s work in all people: male and female, young and old, slave and free. That reconciliation has occurred between us and God and between people. Everyone (that’s justice) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (that’s wholeness). The beauty of this: it is not wine that is causing this remarkable display. This is the beautiful work of God.

Peter is yet to get to the real issue behind all these manifestations of the Reign of God. That is Jesus’ sacrificial death and his justifying resurrection. All this turns on Jesus, and as we continue to read the account of Peter’s sermon the people will be brought face-to-face with their duplicity in Jesus’ death. Repentance will be called for and thousands will be converted.

There may be other signs of God’s reign that need to be explored. But for now it is enough to announce and demonstrate the reality of the reign of God, remembering the closing words of Joel which Peter quotes on this occasion: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Sometimes that can be almost a throw-away phrase. But it is a powerful and hope-filled promise.  How might we demonstrate that reality and live in that hope today?

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