From Youth Pastor to Navy Padre

The Navy’s newest chaplain has been inspired by young people for years. But it was stories of people making a difference that inspired him to join the New
Zealand Defence Force.

You can still detect something of a Southland drawl in Richard Lander, who originally hails from Winton. His familiar ease in his Navy General Work Dress, and his surroundings at the Chaplains’ offices at Devonport Naval Base, belies that fact he is brand new to Navy life.

Mr Lander is a former Otago University Medical School electron microscopist
and part-time youth pastor, who later started up Freedom Church in Nelson
with his wife. He then moved to Papakura to lead a church there.

While there he met a Navy chaplain and asked him about Navy reserves. “It
piqued my interest,” he says. “I love what the Defence Force does. It’s a bunch
of motivated people — motivated to make a difference. It’s largely a pool of
young people, which I’m used to dealing with. I’m a specialist, and I was really
keen to get on board, be part of a bigger team, and use my skills, experience,
and the person that I am, to encourage a bunch of motivated young people to
make a difference at home and around the world.”

Last year he did the Junior Officer Induction Course, then joined TS NGAPONA as a Navy reserve padre. He was then offered a regular force position. He joined the Junior Officer Common Training class of 17/01, graduating as a midshipman in June.

“It was a long time away from my family,” he says. “I did the whole thing, and I didn’t get a lighter version. I’m 43, and I was absolutely the oldest. I have been married to my wife longer than some of my classmates had been alive.” He says it was physically challenging, but the camaraderie among the class was “awesome” and the instructing staff were fantastic. “I’m pleased I graduated. My wife and kids were very proud of me, for completing the training and getting through. I intend being in this for a while.”

He likes not having any rank, something RNZN padres adhere to. “We’re able to have conversations with recruits and be on the same level as them. It’s the
same when speaking in command situations. Rank is not a barrier.”

Two months in, he says he it is a “whole new ball game” on his previous
experience, but the conversations and counselling are similar. “People come in, they need to talk, chat. I really love that. I find, naturally, I’m an encourager. I want to help people find answers.” He could be dealing with relationship problems, homesickness, stress and “just general life”, he says. “It’s a real privilege to be able to be used by the Navy in this way. I can support Navy personnel, and be able to speak to Commanders.”

He is looking forward to deployments, “cheering from the sidelines” and building connections throughout the fleet. “The more I get to know the Navy
family, the more I’m loving it.”