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.”

Men and Women of God

1 Timothy 2:8-10

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

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I recall with some clarity the challenges Diane and I faced early on in our marriage. For me, there was a lot of angst and concern about being the head of the house. Sometimes I overplayed that – at least in my frame of reference toward how our relationship should look if I were truly the head. We eventually worked that out and have a mutually-respectful and mutually-submissive relationship under Christ. A lot of that has to do with the understanding of the word “submission.” Literally it means under the mission, and as partners in Christ’s mission we are submitting to him first and foremost, and then she to me.

One thing, however, that we are solid on and have never found ourselves to be in conflict with each other about is that of the importance of prayer and godliness. Paul speaks of the specific roles of men and women in these verses. Men are to pray. Women are to adorn themselves with godliness. Men ought to raise their hands not to strike out against one another, but to offer praise to God in humility toward one another. Women’s most beautiful adornment is not that of gold or pearls or costly attire, but of an attitude of godly modesty.

Such a value system is hardly championed in the world today. Heroes on TV and movie screen are the ones who wield swords, 9mm guns or cunning corporate maneuvers. Beautiful women are Barbie Doll figured, provocatively dressed, and superior to men in every way. Such are the men and women of Hollywood and Broadway.

Men and women of God desire to be known for inner beauty and genuine faithfulness in prayer. I wonder if that should mark my life more completely. I’m thankful that my wife’s beauty starts on the inside.

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