David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

Ordination Anniversary

1 Timothy 1:1-5

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

This is the building of the first church I served from 1979-1983. They were most gracious to us and our young family.
This is the building of the first church I served from 1979-1983. They were most gracious to us and our young family.
The dual parish I served was in Vernal, Utah and Rangely, Colorado - 51 miles apart. I don't think many people thought that Rangely was a great place to live. Most people tried to get out of town whenever they could.
The dual parish I served was in Vernal, Utah and Rangely, Colorado – 51 miles apart. I don’t think many people thought that Rangely was a great place to live. Most people tried to get out of town whenever they could.

Diane reminded me that I was ordained 35 years ago on June 10. The service took place at the Lutheran Chapel of Hope at SEMO University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Pastor Robert Lange preached my ordination sermon, based on the text he had chosen for me when I was confirmed there several years before:

Matthew 11:28-30

[Jesus says,] “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I was privileged to be invited back there last year at the celebration of the campus ministry’s anniversary. That was, for me, a great honor and joy-filled celebration. I shared a message about hope, based on the theme verse for the chapel:

Hebrews 6:19

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”

I like Paul’s reminder to Timothy in the opening verses of his pastoral letter to his young protege. There is a goal for the work of a pastor, and a purpose for which we strive as we lead. Paul states, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

I am thankful to have served six churches as their full-time pastor over these last 35 years – the first three of them in the first four years of my ministry (a dual then a three-point parish). I can point to certain human accomplishments for which I thank God to have been a part.

But if I were to leave behind a church whose members love one another, whose hearts and motives are pure, and express a sincere faith and hold to a good conscience, I would be deeply satisfied. I am thankful for the opportunities God has placed in my path, and I look forward to experiencing and sharing the message of grace, mercy, and peace that is a gift from God the Father through Christ Jesus our Lord.

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One response to “Ordination Anniversary”

  1. Celeste May Avatar
    Celeste May

    Happy Anniversary (yesterday)! Thank you for all the years of service and for pointing people to Jesus.

    In His Service,
    Celeste
    [st. john logo-with contact info-small-size]

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