Thanks Be to God

Philippians 1:3-6

³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Diane & David Bahn at his installation as Senior Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church – Cypress, Texas

I had an idea that there might be something going on this past weekend at St. John; I had been told that I needed not to plan anything for that afternoon. Well and good. I had my suspicions, but I had no idea what was really to be happening. WOW!

It all started when Steve and Cat, our youngest son and wife showed up Saturday afternoon. I knew that my mom had planned to visit. My sister, too, and her family: Suzie & Stan, Katelyn and Carley had concocted a plan to visit us too. Matt was planning to come to buy a car here. He brought his brother Aaron. Only Tim, Lori, & James were unable to come. With family members present it was a great weekend already.

But that wasn’t half of it. Sunday was a day of celebration of 30 years in ministry and 5 years as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church. As the day unfolded I discovered that Rev. Ken Hennings, president of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod was going to preach. I was not to lead worship, but rather, sit with my family for the day – a great treat. After the 11 a.m. worship service we had a wonderful luncheon. Catered barbecue, cake, and a program of much fun, gracious gifts, and kind words of encouragement followed. The staff sang a song about me – quite a hoot! I received a beautiful eagle and plaque, a new white stole, and a generous gift card. To top it all off was a scrapbook of letters from members and staff, photos of ministry, and memories of ministry at St. John for the past 5 years. It was a wonderful day. I feel wonderfully loved and blessed!

At my side for the past 30 years has been Diane. She is my partner in ministry in the best sense of the word. The term partner refers to a beam under the deck of a sailing ship. This beam holds the mast up and keeps it secure. How apt a description of Diane’s partnership with me in the gospel! She has a ministry in her own right as the Director of the Partner Ministry of the Pastoral Leadership Institute. This partner ministry is for the wives of pastors who attend the conferences alongside their husbands in this post-seminary training program for Lutheran pastors. I thank God for her!

My mom and dad started me down the path of the Christian faith through Sunday School and worship, and teaching in the home. Our sons have shared in the ministry for the past 30 years, enjoying some privileges (they might not see it that way at all), and bearing many challenges along the way. I am so glad that they were here with me for this day of celebration.

But the honor goes to God: He is the one who has begun and continued a good work in me and many others over the past 30 years. It is God’s work in me and the people of God at St. John that has moved us forward in the manner we are moving these day. And my confidence is this: God began the work. He will complete it. I am looking forward to many more years of ministry at St. John and seeing God’s work in my life and the lives of the people of God there. To him belongs all praise and glory!