David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Seek First His Kingdom

Psalm 50:7-15

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Sights of London from the Tour Bus

Today Diane and I will share our testimony about our personal commitment to our church’s Seek First His Kingdom capital stewardship campaign. We have prayed about this – not only about our commitment, but our words and demeanor as we share where God has led us in regard to our personal financial commitment. It might be so easily misunderstood. People might think we’re band standing or bragging. People might think we are being manipulative or seeking to coerce others into giving. That is surely not our intent.

Our intent is to encourage others in their own personal commitment to this campaign. In the words of 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, where Paul has shared with the Corinthians about the generosity of the Macedonian Christians. He speaks about their extreme poverty welling up in rich generosity, then says,  “I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

King David does the same thing in 1 Chronicles 29 where he lists the exact amounts of gold, silver, bronze and other treasures he is providing toward the building of the temple. The result was an outpouring of generosity of the leaders of the people and the Jewish people themselves. The funds for the temple were provided. When Solomon built it, it was a glorious testimony to the majesty of God.

Our spiritual goals for our campaign are:

  • Seek God’s kingdom in the assurance of his provision.
  • Experience the joy of giving.
  • Everyone participates in this kingdom-seeking effort.

Our mission and ministry goals are:

  • 15% goes toward various mission projects and efforts
  • 25% goes toward capital improvements on our campus
  • 60% goes toward loan principal payment

I’ve been praying about all this, including our personal financial commitment and our church’s goals. Now comes the time to pray that the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts would be pleasing in God’s sight, and that he will use what we say to bring glory and honor to Christ and people to a more full experience of the abundant life Jesus gives. That is a life of giving, service, sacrifice, love, and praise to God. For just as Christ has blessed us with eternal favor and grace, we seek to honor him in all things!

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.