Brian Wachter
“With upright heart, he shepherded them and guided them with his skilful hand.” Psalm 78:72 (ESV)
Our leadership team came together in Christchurch for a two-day training event ahead of the 2024 National Gathering, and it was a truly impactful time for everyone involved. These sessions brought together Gift Income Staff (GIP), Conventional Income Staff (CIP), and volunteers, all united by our mission to grow as leaders within the Navigators movement in New Zealand.
The training centred around the Lead, Develop, Care (LDC) Shepherd Leader model, which is a simple yet powerful framework for leadership. It gave us a clear path to follow as we thought about how we lead others, help them grow, and care for their well-being. What stood out about the LDC model is its simplicity—whether we’re focusing on leading by setting clear direction, developing by investing in someone’s growth, or caring by watching over and protecting those we serve. Each part works together to help us become leaders people trust and want to follow.
Mark Rood, along with his wife Jin, were the main speakers at the National Gathering. During the two-day training event, they guided us through this model. We were grateful for Mark’s leadership and insights, as well as his ability to break down the complexities of leadership into relatable and actionable steps. Jin’s partnership in ministry was evident, and their shared experiences were an encouragement.
A brief overview of the LDC model –
- Lead focuses on influencing and enabling people to accomplish a task through setting direction, aligning efforts, motivating, and managing the team.
- Develop is about strengthening people’s capacity to grow, achieved through teaching, modelling, and coaching.
- Care emphasizes watching over and responding to people’s needs and well-being, and involves knowing, connecting, providing, and protecting.
These operational aspects guide leaders in making intentional decisions that build trust and foster growth within their teams.
The tools we learned are practical and necessary for our leadership roles. The LDC model is more than just a concept—it’s a tool that equips us to lead ourselves and others, especially as we guide people in their spiritual journeys. The training also provided us with tools for developmental conversations, which will help us to engage in meaningful dialogue with those we lead, encouraging their personal and spiritual growth.
As we continue to grow together as leaders in New Zealand, this training has given us fresh momentum. The simplicity of the LDC model makes it adaptable for all of us, whether we’re full-time staff or volunteers. It offers a common language and approach as we walk alongside others and lead with intentionality.
A heartfelt thank you to Mark and Jin for their dedication, humility, and wisdom, and to everyone who participated. We’re excited about the journey ahead, knowing that these tools will help us serve more effectively and grow as shepherd leaders within the Navigators movement.