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.”

Urgent Words

Romans 13:11-14

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness andput on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

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I attended a leadership training event many years ago, led by Lyle Schaller. His simple mantra: “Leaders lead. Leaders speak first. Leaders frame the question.” Ever since then I have sought to have the first word, rather than trying to have the last word. The last word implies the final word…the pronouncement that no one can contradict. The first word sets the target and focuses the conversation.

In the case of Paul’s letter to the Romans, his first words were “grace and peace.” What a great way to frame the conversation to follow! Grace is God’s kindness, love, mercy, and good will toward us – apart from anything we have done. Peace is God’s gift that flows from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. God’s good will brings us peace – a wonderful gift!

Now that we have that gift of grace and peace from God, we have the call from God to live in a way that reflects that truth. Imagine a person who discovers he is the child of a wealthy land owner. But imagine that person living on the streets, in poverty and squalor. If we fail to grasp the fullness of God’s grace and peace to us, we live in a squalor worse than any slum. Paul’s words here express the urgency of aligning our lives with the grace and goodness, truth and righteousness of God. God’s first word sets the stage for a life that will glorify him and express his work in our hearts. Such is the working out of God’s kingdom in our lives as his people.

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