Tuesday morning plenary speaker Oliver Phillips decided to discard a prepared address a few days before M7 to help the assembly focus on the implications of the new denominational statement of mission, “To Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations.” Phillips, who serves as Mission Strategy director for U.S. and Canada, pondered the scope and meaning of the term “Christlike” as he reflected on the implications of the Church’s witness in the world. “We are trying to make Christlike disciples, but I’m trying to figure out which Christ and who’s Christ we are trying to be like,” stated Phillips.

Phillips acknowledged cultural and economic perspectives can limit our understanding of Christ and his mission. As a former drug addict and alcoholic, Phillips asked pointedly, “Can you embrace the Christ of the ghetto?”

In his attempt to define Christlikeness for the Church, Phillips offered two main portraits, both coming from the Gospel of John. In recounting the calling of Nathaniel in chapter one, Phillips shared that Jesus included and embraced Nathaniel despite his humanness. “Christ calls us in spite of who we are,” Phillips said. He then asked the Church make room for everyone despite their struggles and failures.

Phillips then related Jesus’ encounter with the woman who came to the well to draw water in John 4. Jesus broke gender and cultural taboos by speaking with a Samaritan woman. “This Jesus broke down geographic, cultural, and gender barriers out of his desire to be a change agent and to speak out against systems of oppression,” proclaimed Phillips. “Jesus was not only about extending compassion, but establishing justice.”

In closing, Phillips related that as a symbol of her attachment to her new found relationship with Jesus, the Samaritan woman left behind her water pot, which represented her old life. Phillips admonished the assembly to let go of those things that would inhibit the Church’s ability to reach out to all people, especially the younger generation. “We can’t be afraid to give the Church to young people. Let’s give it away and make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

The service ended with General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter asking the congregation to let go of everything for the benefit of the work of Christ.

Earlier, the service was punctuated by lively music from the Ft. Lauderdale Manor Choir and soloist Dorzel King, who serves as senior pastor of Risen Lamb Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City.