A Clergy Appreciation Reflection from Lynnette Li

More than a decade ago, while a student at Phillips Theological Seminary, I asked Rev. Dr. John Imbler what he expected out of his students. He shared with me that clergy should do no harm. Back then, I thought about how low the bar was when he said that clergy should do no harm. Now, I realize his words’ deep wisdom of care and caution. I’ve met many people, including myself, who have experienced trauma by clergy. And I have such deep appreciation and respect for clergy whose work is both pastoral and prophetic. 

This clergy celebration month, I am thankful to the clergy who were formative to my growth and becoming. I want to thank those who have accompanied, mentored, and pastored me through the decades, particularly the ones whose call to ministry is beyond the congregation. Whether it is at the general ministry level or in seminary or campus settings, these clergy have a profound impact on my life. I am tethered to the Disciples because of them.

I am a Disciple by choice, in part, because of how they welcomed and cared for me – a stranger. The relationships that have nurtured me over the years are instrumental to me being part of this communion – the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The other reason I am a Disciple is how I value Christian unity. We are a non-creedal communion where there’s no creed, but Christ with unity is our polar star. While it may sound like I’m reading off a marketing spiel, I’m not. My involvement in global ecumenical work allows me to appreciate our embrace of ecumenism. The Disciples’ call to be a movement of wholeness is a call for us to be balm in a broken and fragmented whole. It also reminds us that we are already one, whether we experience it or not. I wouldn’t have understood this if not for working alongside clergy who faithfully serve their vocational call to ministry at non-congregational settings. 

These are clergy who have seen me at my best and most vulnerable. These are clergy whose wisdom and words were a balm to me when ministry was challenging and traumatic. These are clergy who live authentically with deep conviction and love for people, the church, and its mission. These are clergy who are fierce shepherds who have seen the church at its best and are aware of its vulnerability — and nevertheless continue to generously pour their creative energy, sacrifice, and finances into it.

As such, on the occasion of clergy appreciation month, I lift the following clergy who have been instrumental to my flourishing: Todd Adams, Ron Allen, Dawn and Jon Barnes, Nancy Brink, Belva Brown Jordan, Ron Deggs, Jennifer Riggs, Brandon Gilvin, Dick Hamm, Verity Jones, Young Lan Kim, Dennis Landon, Timothy Lee, Michael Miller, Rita Nakashima-Brock, Cisa Payuyo, Lee Yates, Sharon Watkins, Cathy Wirth, and Geunhee Yu. 

Thank you for troubling the waters and being balm to me when I needed it the most.  

Thank you for answering your call to ministry with integrity, honesty, and sacrifice. 

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Lynnette Li is a doctoral student at the University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology joint Ph.D. program. They are part of the Disciple Seminary Foundation community. They have been involved in the leadership of congregational, regional, and general ministries as well as ecumenical organizations beyond the US.