David Bahn – Reflections

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. – Acts 4:32-37

You may have heard the term “esprit de corps.” It refers to the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group. (Thanks Merriam-Webster.com!) We have in these verses a clear sense of esprit de gospel – the common appreciation for the hope of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of the people of God in the early church.

The spirit of the Good News of Jesus pervaded the people of God in that place and time. There was a strong sense of unity, common cause, mutual appreciation, and love – all fueled by the Good News that Jesus had come into the world, taught them about the rule and reign of God, and although tortured and executed, been raised from the dead. His resurrection formed the basis of their message and the foundation of their hope.

Too many years have passed and too many distractions vie for our hearts’ attention and devotion these days. Whether it’s your favorite football team, you dream vacation just over the time horizon, your hopes for your children or grandchildren, or that illusion pot of gold – the reward of hard work and careful investment, so many things crowd out our esprit de gospel. Our churches and lives look so much unlike those of the early Christians.

On some level this is inevitable. We live 2000 years later than they, and their efforts to spread the Word around the world have yielded a harvest 1000 fold! Churches are found on every corner in our cities, and the message of Jesus is broadcast across the airwaves daily. We’ve come to take it for granted. We’ve been jaded.

What would it look like for us to catch the esprit de gospel in our day? It would look like a unified church where members pray for one another and respond to the needs that are all around them. It would look like people anxious to gather for worship not just so their bucket can be filled, but so that they can encourage one another in the walk of faith. It may look like recalibrated financial goals. It may involve new priorities of time management. It might mean a slower pace or a more careful listening ear when someone is hurting.

Barnabas was not only caught up in such an esprit de gospel, but helped sustain and advance it. What might you and I do today to pass that on in our churches? Worth praying about and doing, I’d say!

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. – Acts 4:32-37

I am thankful to have known some generous people in my life. Three one-hundred dollar bills wrapped in a plain piece of paper in a plain envelope came from one such person whom I do not yet know. A large check handed to me in an off-handed way at the end of a lunch meeting was conveyed by one known as generous. The check was for our worship center building project. It was completely unsolicited, and truly encouraging. A $40 gift to our Church’s general fund in honor of the 40th anniversary of my ordination was another. The size of the check does not matter. The size of the sacrifice communicates the extent of the love and respect. Encouragement is directly connected with the depth of love and sacrifice.

Barnabas gave a generous gift to the apostles. It seems clear that these gifts were used for the needs of various people in their time of need. The apostles were able to be generous because they had received a generous gift.

Generosity has at least two roots: a deep gratitude for the gifts we have received, and a strong commitment to the cause to which the gift is given. When we were given a large gift/inheritance from my uncle many years ago it was a joy to be able to pray about and give gifts to various ministries and people whom we love and support.

Such gifts reflect one’s love and one’s values. We gave money directly to some family members who had suffered hurricane damage. We gave money to the seminary I attended because we had been richly blessed by other’s generosity to us while studying there. We gave money to Lutheran Hour Ministries because we believe in what they stand for. We gave money to our local church because we are part of the body of Christ in that place.

I wonder whether anyone really knew of our gifts. They were large to us, but not earth shatteringly large. But I do know this: Those who have been blessed and recognize it delight to bless others, and in doing so show themselves to be part of the Barnabas League. Wanna join? Give a generous gift to someone you love or some cause you believe in.

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. – Acts 4:32-37

I have some people in my life who act as a Barnabas to me. I thank God for them. They are supportive of me as a person, even though they may not agree with everything I say. I feel quite comfortable expressing my opinion in their presence. I’m confident they will listen to me and offer kind and gracious insights, and if need be correction or other important ideas to consider. They do it with love and always seek to make me better for their input. Sometimes they give extraordinarily generous gifts of time or money.

There are also those who never say an encouraging word; or if they do, it’s couched in implied deficiency. It’s the old, “You don’t sweat much for a fat person,” comment. They have their special place in my heart. It is a guarded place. It is a place of examination but not of immediate acceptance.

I wish I had the same attitude toward those who only speak well of me and to me. Everything is always good. Nothing is ever amiss. But I know better. Perhaps that’s why I keep the comments of those who never speak encouraging words still in my heart – albeit in a guarded spot. Once in a while I examine the flattery of my biggest fans against the arrows of challenge. It’s a good balance.

In the end, however, give me Barnabas. Give me the encourager. It was once said that more pastors die of a broken heart than they do of an over-inflated ego. While the encouragers will seek to build up, they don’t do it to inflate one’s ego. They do it to support the work of God in us.

Those who seek to encourage in such a way should form a league: The Barnabas League. This group would meet regularly to discern where people are in need of a boost of God’s mercy and love, and seek ways to bring that. It may be to a first year teacher who is really struggling to relate to her students and their parents. It might be a staff member of a large church who is not getting the recognition he or she deserves and is being left in the dust of the rapid pace of ministry in a large church. It could be a sole pastor in a small church that is struggling to make ends meet and can’t seem to find people who are willing to engage the community around them with the Good News of Jesus. It could be a pastor’s wife who sees her husband taking too much time away from the family, eating and drinking too much, and doesn’t know how to help him.

As I write this, I’m wondering if anyone would like to be part of such a Barnabas League. Maybe you’re already doing this. Perhaps you’ve offered your words of encouragement, your gifts to further the Kingdom’s cause, your friendship to your church leaders. If so, welcome to the League! I wonder if this could become a “thing” in the life of our churches. God knows we need people of encouragement. That’s why he moved Barnabas to do what he did.

And by the way, this reflects the kindness, grace, love and generosity of none other than our Lord Jesus himself!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him…Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. – 1 Timothy 1:12, 14-15

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Diane with Lynet Kispen, wife of Bishop of the Central Diocese of the ELCK

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Kilgoris Mission Team

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Two of the children who visited the free eye clinic and evangelistic center in Kilgoris, Kenya

Four young girls stand outside a small Lutheran Church building outside of Kilgoris, Kenya. March 2015

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St. John Lutheran Church – Cypress, Texas – Worship Center

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Kilgoris Mission Team – including some of the pastors and evangelists we worked with

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The 40th anniversary of my ordination into the Holy Ministry in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod was June 10, 2019. Yesterday the people of God at St. John celebrated that in our behalf. I say “our” because Diane has been at my side every step of the way, a true partner in mission and ministry. The event was held during the Sunday School hour at St. John. We were touched and blessed by the outpouring of love toward us.

As I reflect on these past forty years, I have identified four truths which I have learned and which continue to guide me in my service to Christ and his people.

Identity in Jesus is most important of all. “Pastor, Pastor Bahn, Pastor David, David, Dave, Dad, Honey, liberal, conservative, confessional, or missional:” How do I identify myself? My identity is in Jesus Christ is most important of all. Although I do wear several different hats, and am known by these various names in various circumstances, I want to keep my eyes firmly on my identity in Christ. It’s not about title, privilege, responsibility, or accessibility. I am a husband to Diane, father to four wonderful sons and their wives, and Granddad to 9 grandchildren. Take all that away and I am still a servant of Jesus. I want to hold most closely to that truth.

Ministry isn’t always easy, but those times make the goodness of God even more precious. Some years in ministry have been more difficult than others. Some church’s personalities are more easily embraced than others. Some cultural contexts are more difficult to navigate than others. Some seasons of mission and ministry are more challenging than others. But God is always good. That truth is precious.

The consolation and conversation of brothers and sisters in Christ is a refreshing gift. I recall the Sunday that the pointer flew out of the hand of a character in a dramatic sketch that was setting up a message. It landed in my lap! The actor broke character and with eyes wide open covered his gaping mouth. The people of the church roared in laughter. I felt connected deeply and so thankful for each and every one there. Those sweet moments are but a dim reflection of the joy that will be ours on the Great Last Day. What a refreshing gift and a foretaste of the joy to come!

I can’t do everything, or please everyone, or even perform up to my own standards. One person said, “You can please all the people,” speaking of serving as a pastor. “You please some people when you come. You please others while you’re there. And you please still others when you leave!” I wish that were not true, but I do believe I do well not to try to prove that I can do it all. I really can’t. I love Martin Luther’s sacristy prayer, which says in part, “If it was up to me, I would have ruined it long ago.” Jesus’ mercy is essential in all of ministry, and precious to me in all of life.

Plus One: I thank God for Diane, my wife! She is more than a partner in ministry and mission. She is a joy and a blessing to me, our family, and to many. I thank God, also, for my family who has supported me in ways I will never know. When I tried to say this publicly today, I choked up. There is a deep thankfulness for Diane’s partnership in life and in ministry. I thank God for her!

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. – Acts 9:1-19

I saw a bully today. It was sad. A strong and powerful man took on a young man and chided him in public.

I don’t know what will come of it. The bully should be challenged. Perhaps he has been. Perhaps he will be. We’ll leave that to God. God, after all, does great things when he brings down the mighty. That’s what Mary sang when she learned she would be the mother of the Son of God. She sang, “For he who is mighty has done great things. Holy is His name. He has brought down the mighty and filled the poor with good things” (cf Luke 1:46-55).

That’s also what happened to the bully Saul. He was large and in charge. He had all the power in the world – or so he thought. But that power proved of little value abasing the One he was persecuting. You see, he wasn’t actually persecuting just the people of God. He was persecuting Jesus the Lord. He would be confronted, cast down, and dethroned. That’s what happens to those who presume to use human power to get their way.

But James reminds us, “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (cf. James 1:20). It may not be wise to poke the bear. But be sure of this. The bear will not always have his way. And while you may be inclined to think of someone else to apply this to, think rather of how you might be tempted to use human power to achieve your goals. Consider what it might look like to wait for God’s vindication, and trust yourself to him in all your ways.

When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:26-31

We had the opportunity to recognize several partner churches and other churches today at the LCMS National Convention. It was a great moment to see all the bishops and church leaders from around the world up on the stage. Pastors and church leaders from Russia, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Guatemala, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Madagascar were present – just to name a few. I believe our warm reception of them was encouraging. We stood, applauded, and then sang a hymn in celebration of our work together.

This is in sharp contrast to some of the resolutions and conversations that have also been part of our time together. There have been some contentious moments and all too many Caiaphas moments during the debates. Who can do what and when? Who has the power and the authority to oversee this person or ministry? What will be allowed or not?

Sometimes these conversations are essential. We do need controls and boundaries. The lines of authority must be clearly drawn for the welfare of the church. But in the end, I believe we need more Barnabas interactions of encouragement and support in the church today. We don’t need Caiaphas rules. Too many are discouraged and dishearterned in the face of the challenges we all face. Too many churches are struggling. Too few are experiencing such growth that they must put up new lines and boundaries.

Barnabas is a great example of one who aided the work of God’s mission by means of his of Saul to the rest of the Apostles. The rest is history. I vote for Barnabas, and look for his encouraging support in serving for the cause of God’s rule and reign.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am the voting pastoral delegate from our Circuit at the 2019 Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. It has been quite a while since I’ve served as a delegate, or even attended this convention. I’m tempted to say that I remember why that is so. It’s not exactly fun. I’m struggling with a cough. The days start early and go non-stop well into the night. The votes have not all gone my way. Thankfully, however, despite the fact that my seat mates may or may not vote the same way I do, we respect each other, and consider each other honorable fellow Christians.

The first Convention Essay was delivered by outgoing 1st Vice President Herb Miller. Herb has been battling brain cancer, and recently had surgery to remove a brain tumor. His presentation was powerful and very moving. He said, “Not one of you can wake up tomorrow and decide you’re not going to die.” Powerful. True. Sobering. Deeply felt. Furthermore, because of that, he said, “We don’t need a coach to figure out how to do life better. We need a Savior.” He spoke it as one who has faced death up close, but not as without hope.

Thanks be to God, we have a Savior. Our Lord Jesus has faced down death and conquered the devil and the grave. He brings us joy in all circumstances, confidence in prayer, and reason for giving thanks to God.

Additional evidence of our need for a Savior shows itself in the differences we experience on the convention floor and even during the worship services. Some of the worship forms are so foreign to my tastes that I can even be distracted and tempted to be judgmental toward those who express their faith differently. Some of the high church expressions are far beyond my personal appreciation.

I promised a fellow pastor to pray in response to some of these distracting behaviors. I promised to pray for him. He promised to pray for me. So whenever I am tempted to draw unkind conclusions, or project some impure motives toward those who express their faith in different ways, I will pray for him. He will do the same for me. We are, after all, brothers and sisters in Christ. And we have a Savior: all of us. For him I give thanks. In his name I pray. He is the source of true joy.

Jesus went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. – Matthew 12:9-14

This passage was shared this morning in a devotional time with som other pastors. The pastor who shared it made three points that I thought quite insightful.

1. Jesus went to “their” synagogue. He was on their turf. He went to them. He was not on his own turf – humanly speaking. They knew their way around. They knew the lay of the land. It seems likely they knew the man with the withered hand – though it does not say so explicitly in the text.

It is clear, however, that the Pharisees saw potential to use this man to accuse Jesus. He was their ticket to discredit Jesus. He was a means to their end of putting Jesus in a bad light, and he was simply available for that purpose. They didn’t seek to care for him. They weren’t worried about his hand. They worried more about their sheep than about this man. He was merely a means to an end. They wanted to get at Jesus, and he was their pawn.

What causes this kind of behavior? Fear. The Pharisees were held captive to fear. They were afraid they would lose their position of privilege. They were afraid that they would forfeit their prestige in the eyes of the people. They were afraid Jesus was turning things upside down – which he was by they way.

But they were not afraid to try to stop the Son of God. They were not afraid to manipulate and use another human being, an object of God’s love and mercy, for their nefarious ends. They were not afraid to conspire against Jesus to destroy him. Sad.

The question we must always ask when dealing with other people – friends, enemies, acquaintances, friends, or colleagues – is whether we are showing them the love, mercy, and grace that reflects God’s love, mercy, and grace for all people.

I am not a man with a withered hand, but I could easily be the target of someone’s manipulative schemes. I could be tempted to use other people for my own ends – though I pray God would give me the discernment over my own false motives, and the grace to resist such temptation.

Jesus allowed none of this. He called out their hypocrisy and healed the man’s hand. That’s the kind of Savior we all need: One who ferrets out our false motives and one who heals our withered hands.

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

Where does God do his work? I’m in Tampa, Florida for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) national convention this week and into next. There will be resolutions, reports, rallies, worship services, Bible studies, votes, resolutions, debates, more reports, resolutions, elections, debates, and resolutions. Did I say resolutions? Indeed.

I don’t want to minimize the impact of this convention. After all there are 6000 congregations in the LCMS, thousands of pastors, teachers, DCE’s, and other church workers, and some 2 million baptized souls in our church body. Decisions we make here will impact our relations as a church body with worldwide Lutheranism, with the rest of Christendom, and even the people of the world who care to pay any attention to what we say, and how we express the truths we hold so precious.

Make no mistake God will be doing his work here: through us, in us, around us, and sometimes in spite of us! But don’t think that the 2000 people here will monopolize God’s attention or limit the scope of his work. Peter makes the point that the treatment of Jesus by the Jewish leaders happened right where they were: “right in this city!” He tells of how the forces of the world and the religious leaders all aligned themselves to rebel against God and his Messiah.

We might easily think that God does his work only in the church building, or among large gatherings of his people. But God works in people’s hearts and lives each and every day. And when this convention is all over, I’ll go back to Cypress to reengage in mission right where we live, work, and play.

How about you? Do you see how God is at work right where you are; where you live, work, and play? I hope so…because he is!

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
²⁶ The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’

²⁷ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. ²⁸ But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. ²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” – Acts 3:23-30

Sometimes you just need to share the burdens of life and faithful witness. I can recall a time when that was the case. It was early on in my ministry and I had experienced an extremely unkind and hurtful treatment. I went to a wise older pastor and told my story. His comment, “Well, next time tell them, ‘You can let Jesus back on the throne now.’” I wish I had had that in my quiver prior to that experience!

Sometimes we need to let people know just how far off base they are; how improperly they have assumed the judgment seat of God. It is never fitting for someone to render judgment against another repentant brother or sister in Christ. It’s not proper for us to assume the place of God’s rule and reign. That is reserved for the King of kings. We don’t even get to take a place on Jesus’ right or left hand. Those places are reserved for the ones designated by the Father (cf, Matthew 21:23).

We must, however, be careful how we treat those who accuse us. While it may feel good in the moment to tell someone to let God back on his throne, it is a better witness to endure unjust suffering as a witness to Christ. This is something Peter not only preached (cf. 1 Peter 2:19) he also experienced such unjust suffering. Perhaps that moment when I failed to have a sharp retort to those who treated me so unkindly, I shared in Christ’s suffering (cf. 1 Peter 4:13).

There are those who deny Jesus his proper place in their hearts. Let that not be said of us! We confess with joy and delight, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and entrust ourselves to his providential care and ultimate justice.