Jump directly to the Content Jump directly to the Content

Identity and Worship Speak into the Life of a Leader

An interview with worship and executive pastor Gail Song Bantum

Reverend Gail Song Bantum is the Worship and Executive Pastor at Quest Church in Seattle, Washington. She is passionate about leadership development and leads seminars in diverse contexts. This is what she had to say when we sat down to talk about leadership:

As women, and particularly Christian women leaders, we talk a lot about identity and living our calling. What are some of the challenges you've faced as a woman and ethnic minority in pastoral leadership, and how have those challenges equipped you as a leader?

I am a second-generation Korean-American woman, grateful for 17 years of journeying this life together in marriage with a biracial man, and grateful for the gift and opportunity to raise three beautifully multiethnic children. I have a passion and prophetic call to pastoral ministry and leadership development particularly, in order that people and communities can live out and embody their true calling in Christ. I received my M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and am an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. All of those things have shaped me as a person, Christian, and leader.

I provide that foundation before saying mentoring should never be a question of desire, but a question of obedience in response to Jesus' command to 'Go and make disciples.'" As a young woman of color, the path that was set before me as a worship leader and pastor 20 years ago did not afford me many opportunities to find mentors early in my ministry career. Lamentably, if I had waited specifically for a female mentor, I would not have had any mentors to speak of. Therefore, I often felt very isolated as a leader. I know that this is the reality still for many young women and people of color. It's always hard for me to hear their stories and idly stand by, especially for those whom I know God has specifically called to positions of leadership.

This is probably why I have a heart for reaching the next generation of leaders with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many young people are identifying themselves by what they want to be instead of considering who they really are and how God has uniquely gifted them. They have to first contemplate and answer those two questions before we ask them to consider, "What work are you called to?"

On a practical level, I have all of the leaders on our team complete the StrengthsFinder test. StrengthsFinder is a tool for leaders to consider because too often it's difficult for people to gain confidence in their gifting until they are first aware of and know what their gifts and strengths are. It's at that point, when given the space and freedom to embody those gifts, with faithful mentorship, leaders begin to emerge in confidence. So first, they have to identify their gifting. Then they have to receive and embrace it. Finally, as mentors and leaders, we must give them the opportunity to live into it, and this is precisely where discipleship takes place.

What are your words of encouragement to women who lack confidence in their leadership, do not have the mentors they desire, or are isolated on the leadership journey?

In spite of our concerns and insecurities as leaders, we have to step up and take risks. We have to be willing to share of ourselves, reveal our boundaries and weaknesses in addition to our strengths. We must admit that we cannot lead God's way in our own strength, but we can lead under God's authority and through our brokenness. Christ calls each of us to follow him. The Apostle Paul encouraged his disciples to follow him as he followed Christ. Therefore, the leader must be willing to be the first to step out, allowing and paving the way for other people to thrive. This is what it means to be a good steward of our leadership gift–we identify gifts, discern where those gifts are best utilized within the community, and create space and opportunities for the community collectively to thrive.

What is worship and why is it important in the life of the leader?

Worship is the response in our creativeness to our Creator, the totality of who we are–heart, mind, soul, and strength. I'm also reminded of David's words to Araunah in 2 Samuel 24, "I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing." Faithful and costly stewardship is what ties all of these together for the leader. It is what allows the leader to respond in obedience to all that God created him or her to be and to do. Our leadership is an act of worship. Therefore, we must work at cultivating our leadership with great diligence, humility, and courage, with the understanding that making disciples is not an option, but rather, it's the great commission and thus, a very sacred and costly act of worship.

Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is a writer, inspirational speaker, leadership and mentoring trainer, and human trafficking advocate. She received her M.A. in Christian Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte) in May 2014, with concentrations in prayer and fasting, racial reconciliation, and biblical justice. Natasha has over fifteen years of experience leading and mentoring in personal, professional, and church settings. Connect with Natasha through her official website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

July07, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Recent Posts

When Your Calling Is Challenged
As hardships come, you have 1 of 3 options.
What Is Calling?
Defining this “super-spiritual” word
Cultivate Your Calling in Each Stage of Life
Angie Ward discusses cultivating leadership amid ever-changing responsibilities.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
How to know whether to leave or stay in your ministry context.

Follow us

FacebookTwitterRSS

free newsletters: