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.”

Category: Uncategorized

  • Ministry in God’s Context

    Sometimes we simply must say, it is enough for me to be with Jesus, and he with me. It is enough to know that the Holy Spirit is in me and the Father loves me. It is enough for me to serve the people God brings into my life today with the gifts I have…

  • Taking Christ into the community or FINDING Him there

    If the Mission of God is truly His mission, then we do join Him in His redemptive work in the world.

  • A Sign of Comfort

    THE CROSS AT GROUND ZERO FOUNDED SEPT. 13, 2001 BLESSED OCT. 14. 2001 TEMPORARILY RELOCATED OCT. 5, 2006 WILL RETURN TO WTC MUSEUM A SIGN OF COMFORT FOR ALL

  • Peace or Turmoil

    When Jesus came to his disciples on the first Easter, his greeting was, “Peace be with you.” That was just what the apostles needed: assurance, comfort and peace. What do we need today? When we come for worship on Easter we are seldom fearful or discouraged. Too often we’re going through the motions, coopted by…

  • Gates & Ways

    This cross-topped gate opens into a small family plot in the Mandeville, Louisiana Cemetery. Just as the gate is the legitimate way into that area, and is topped with a cross, the cross of Jesus is the only way into the kingdom of God and the way to eternal life. Cindy Newkirk writes: Jesus declares,…

  • Gates & Graves

    I love photographing cemeteries with their elaborate gates, tomb stones, and touching personal tributes to departed loved-ones. The tomb of Jesus is not so-adorned; He needed it only for three days, and left it on Easter Sunday – never to return. Our greatest tribute to Christ is in how we treat others and how we…

  • Tombs (and Donkeys)

    I wonder how the owner of the donkey used by Jesus on Palm Sunday treated his donkey the day before. Did he have any idea that it would be used by the Son of God the next day? As we celebrate Palm Sunday tomorrow, it would be good to realize that God does make use…

  • Praise befits the upright

    “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright” (Psalm 33:1). True for many reasons – especially because of His faithfulness and grace. The upright recognize the goodness and faithfulness of God and are delighted to praise Him. They are not caught in the web of deceit and ungodliness that the…

  • A Call to Caring Grace

    We might want to have God solve our neighbors’ problems, but we would rather He do that apart from our direct involvement.

  • “In the rooms, not in the hall”

    C.S. Lewis says, “It is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals.” That’s why it is important to be part of a worshiping fellowship. It is in the rooms of prayer, and praise, worship, word and sacrament that we are fed and strengthened in the faith. It is…