By International Office Communications

Lindy Black is a woman of influence on the National Leadership Team of the US Navigators, most notably in her recent role as Associate US Director. Just after she stepped into a part-time position as Associate to the US Director’s Office in December 2022, Worldwide caught up with her to glean some of what she has learned along the way.

WW: What was the journey that led you to serve as Associate US Director?

LB: I met The Navigators in 1972 while I was in college. I fell in love with Vic at a Summer Training Program when we were both at North Carolina State, and we were married 45 years ago! We went to staff training at the University of Tennessee. We then served on collegiate staff at Auburn University for two decades. Towards the end of that time, a door opened for me to get involved with staff training, and that just lit me up! I realized my strengths were in developing people. I was invited to be on the Collegiate Leadership Team in 2003, then on the Field Leadership Team. During those years, the National Leadership Team asked me to create a sustainable leader development program for the work, and that became a key part of my contribution.

WW: Tell us about your recent change in roles.

LB: I’m stepping back because I was ready for a little more flexibility in this season. I also want to make space for other people. My ongoing focus is still on mentoring and coaching existing and emerging national leaders.

WW: What are some lessons the Lord has taught you in all those leadership experiences?

LB: It is a worthy pursuit to be a feminine leader. For me, that means I bring all of me (my wiring, talents, spiritual gifts, background, skills), and I bring it as a woman. I bring the best of myself within the boundary lines God has given me (Psalm 16:6). A feminine leader is strong yet gracious, hospitable of heart, not one who shrinks back from speaking truth but who is a safe place and can be trusted.

Another lesson is how to use my voice. It requires courage and wisdom. I have had to learn to condense my words. I’ve learned that you can sit at a leadership table, but unless you actually speak up, your influence is not realized.

On the flip side, I have had to learn to listen to people well. I am a firm believer that experience is not the best teacher. Evaluated experience is the best teacher. Most people need someone to come alongside and ask good questions to enable them to assess effectively.

WW: What advice would you give other women?

LB: Keep saying yes to Jesus. You have no idea what opportunities he will bring if you say yes to an open door. Continue to grow in living for an audience of one. And lastly, cultivate deep ruts in your habits of meeting alone with Jesus. As a busy mom or a person in high demand, you need a rhythm of life that feeds your soul. The more you taste of God, the more you hunger for him!

WW: What have been some of your key Scriptures?

LB: I have two life verses, both in the Amplified version. Philippians 3:10. “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection…as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even]...”

Habakkuk 3:19. “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!”

These powerful words speak to my purpose and God’s sufficiency!

WW: What else will you be doing now that you’re part time?

LB: We have 12 grandchildren. We do all we can to invest in them, including an annual summer Cousin Camp. We feel a high level of stewardship to be prayer warriors for our family and to be available when they need us.

After nearly 50 years of ministry, we have many people we are connected to. We want to continue to strengthen and encourage them as they live out our Calling. Vic and I also have two couples, new in Christ, we are investing in to become the foundation of many spiritual generations.