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.”

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  • The Real Jesus

    Matthew 21:14-17 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said…

  • Two Miracles

    We are in Pawleys Island, South Carolina for a conference on discipleship and missional communities. The insights and challenges are profound and far-reaching. This is no kindergarten faith experience by a long shot. As we study Jesus’ methods and ways we are growing deeper in our faith. But all this starts when we – as…

  • We are in Pawleys Island, South Carolina for a conference on discipleship and missional communities. The insights and challenges are profound and far-reaching. This is no kindergarten faith experience by a long shot. As we study Jesus’ methods and ways we are growing deeper in our faith. But all this starts when we – as…

  • Exuberance or Reverence?

    What’s wrong with those scribes and Pharisees?!?! Why would they criticize children who are praising Jesus for his healing miracle?!? On the one hand, I get it. There is such a thing as decorum in God’s house. There is need to acknowledge the holiness of God’s house. This is surely true in regard to the…

  • Exuberance or Reverence?

    What’s wrong with those scribes and Pharisees?!?! Why would they criticize children who are praising Jesus for his healing miracle?!? On the one hand, I get it. There is such a thing as decorum in God’s house. There is need to acknowledge the holiness of God’s house. This is surely true in regard to the…

  • Urgent Expectation

    “Save now!” That’s more or less what “Hosanna” means. Another way of translating it would be “Save I pray!” In either case, “Hosanna” is an expression of urgent expectation. The people were calling for Jesus to save them in the expectation that he could and would do just that. Too often our prayers are feeble…

  • What do you make of it?

    It is difficult to imagine how something so good as a place of worship might become bad. But on this day Jesus makes it clear: the unnecessary and mis-leading requirements that the Jewish leaders had put into place in the temple had turned a house of prayer into a den of robbers. Such evil is never about…

  • God’s House of Prayer

    “The children of Israel liked their tent, and later their temple.” The comment from a friend and colleague last night was part of a brief conversation about our new building project at St. John. It was a friendly reminder on his part that while a building is nice, the kingdom of God is not about…

  • Quite a stir

    When I was in high school, Bobby Kennedy visited my home town. It was quite an event. People crowded around in great number, excited to catch a glimpse of this rising star politician. Security guards and reporters surrounded him. I somehow managed to get a press pass that allowed me access to the very front…

  • That’s not all

    Too often our picture of Jesus is based on our current crisis or perceived need. We’re in financial straits and we look for Jesus who promises to answer our prayers or provide for our needs. We’re sick and we look for Jesus who heals diseases. We are lonely and we look for Jesus who promises…