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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  • When doubts arise

    Matthew 11:1-15 (ESV) When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come,…

  • And yet there is a promise

    Matthew 10:34-42 (ESV) [Jesus says,] “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a…

  • Duh!

    Matthew 10:24-33 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. Sometimes the truth…

  • No Fear

    Matthew 10:24-33 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26“So have no…

  • Want More?

    Matthew 10:24-33 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26“So have no…

  • Purposeful Peace

    I’ve been here at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellisville, MO for the annual Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) Conference. There are about 400 participants: pastors, partners (the interesting term for pastors’ wives), presenters, mentors, and others who are here for  advanced leadership training for pastoral leaders around the world who are committed to lead God’s…

  • Don’t lead with your chin.

    Matthew 10:16-23 [Jesus said,] “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my…

  • The Prodigal Son in the Key of F

    I subscribe to Rick Warren’s “If my bullet fits your gun, shoot it” theory. I freely borrow and gladly encourage others to take what I offer and use it for the sake of the Gospel. With that in mind, I shared this today with the folks of St. John. It comes from Timothy Fulop, of…

  • Tall Order

    Matthew 10:5a, 8 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, …8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.“ On one occasion of Jesus’ ministry he asked a question: “Which is easier, to say ‘your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘rise, take up your pallet and walk’?” (Matthew 9:1-8) In the…

  • Jesus’ Message to Us

    Matthew 10:5-7 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Jesus’ message to the people of Israel…