The Fine Line Coming Soon

Back on August 20th I posted a blog about, My Bud Kary Oberbrunner. I mentioned then that he had a book coming out in a few months. The book, The Fine Line, hits shelves next month. One of his quotes that struck me was,

“Our difference from the world, not our similarity to it sets us apart".

Think about it...we wear the same clothes, drive the same vehicles, live in the same houses, have the same occupations and eat the same food. What is it that really sets us apart???

Read the book to find out.

For more info on Kary and his book click onto these links:
The Fine Line sample chapter
Interview with The Fine Line author Kary Oberbrunner
The Fine Line video
Kary Oberbrunner's blog Recovering Pharisee
Pre-order The Fine Line

We Are To MULTIPLY

This morning after speaking to the "Reflections" ABF at Grace Polaris, Kyle and I headed over to the Powell YMCA for our weekly luanch team meeting. This morning we heard the testimony of Chaz & Laurie Freutel and then had an extended time of prayer as couples using the A-C-T-S model. That is Adoration - Confession - Thanksgiving - Supplication. Then we went over our fourth and last core value: MULTIPLY. Multiplication is something we have been commanded to to in the great commission, Matt. 28:18-20 and it is something we at Encounter Church will do in every ministry area and at all levels. An example would be always having a leader and an apprentice leader in a small group. That way the group has someone on purpose ready to lead the next group. We will also be on the lookout for up-in-coming leaders to better plan for a group to multiply.

This second picture is me signing Joey & Tiffany Holibaugh's marriage license. I forgot to sign it two weeks ago after I officiated their wedding.

Grace Polaris Visit

This morning my buddy Kyle Mielke and I visited the Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class "Reflections". A week ago I was contacted by their leader Gerry Oliver who said they wanted to here about Encounter Church so they could pray for our ministry. It was a joy to speak to the group, many of whom have been attending Grace Polaris for over thirty years. Because Grace Polaris partnered in planting Grace Church in Powell, it makes her our Grand-Mother church:-) How neat is that?!

Guest Reader

A few weeks ago I was asked to be a guest reader in my daughters school for their "Celebrate Reading Week". I thought it'd be a lot of fun and yesterday I got to read to all three of my daughters classes. They helped to pick the books. For Rachel's class I read, "The Little Mailman of Bayberry Lane". Melissa's grandmother had read it to her when she was in elementary school. Sara and Abby had me read, "The Paperbag Princess", a book given to Abby by a family friend in 2004 after she was a flower girl. The kids all listened well and had many comments after I was done.

First Baptism Service

Today was the long anticipated day for Encounter Church's first baptism service. We had twenty people scheduled until I received a phone call last night from my friend Matt Berner. He had heard we were doing baptism's and wanted to join us. I was honored to be asked. So this morning there were twenty-one boys, girls and adults who obeyed the Lord's command found in Matthew 28:18-20.
I spoke about this day being a "Marked Moment" in each of their lives. A day to look back on and remember what Christ has done for them. Then we heard each person answer two questions: Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? and Why are you being baptized today? It was encouraging to hear of their commitment to our Lord. Dalan Zartman and Rob Dubois then led the group in a few worship songs. Once the testimonies were finished the group headed across the hallway to the pool.
It was nice to see a variety of friends and family members in attendance. Once all the baptisms were finished I invited anyone else in the crowd who knew they were a follower of Christ and hadn't yet been baptized to come into the water and I would baptize them. There were no takers but I wanted to at least extend the offer.

Enjoy these pictures from the morning.

Encounter Church Baptism's 2008-11-09

Encounter Men Go To War

Yes, we men at Encounter had our first official paintball war. Fifteen brave souls fought valiantly on the field of battle and have many welts to prove it. Many tales will be told and purhaps a few songs sung about the valor in which the men fought. Here are a few pictures to remember the day.



Tomorrow is the very anticipated baptism service at the Powell YMCA. We now have 20 people obeying the Lord this way. Six adults and 14 children. I will definately have pictures and commentary for you to see and read.

A First Time For Everything

Hello. My name is Sean Spoelstra, I'm 37 yrs. old and I'd never eaten at White Castle until...today. My buddy Robert Taylor and I were running a few errands and he offered to pay for lunch. I told him I'd never on my own go but since he was treating, why not. I ate two jalapeno and three regular sliders. It's been two hours now and I shouldn't describe to you how my body has reacted...but it ain't good. I don't think we'll be catering any major events at Encounter Church with the above named organization:-)

The Ordinances: Baptism & Communion

Yesterday we were blessed to hear two couples testimonies on where and when Christ intersected their lives. Just before that we had a fun time reconnecting as always over a cup of coffee and some treats. First off was Bill & Angie Kelly and then Jeremy & Erica Hart. I am convinced that by each couple telling their story, the team is bonded together even more. I told everyone to listen carfully and follow up with each other because our lives may be used to minister into the life of someone else in the future.
Our topic of discussion yesterday was Biblical ordinances. Next week we have twenty adults and children being baptized so I thought it would be good for us to talk about it beforehand. Next we spoke about communion. It, if anything sets our fellowship of churches apart from most other denominations. We have a three-fold communion consisting of a light meal, footwashing and the bread & the cup. In all it is about an hour and a half experience where the believer reflects on the past, present and future work of Christ in our lives. I have come to love the way we do communion, though our heart is not to force it on others. As we say, "You can belong before you believe". Part of the meaning of this statement is that folks are welcome to simply observe and then decide if they want to participate. Of course as I spoke to the launch team I told them they're doing it or else:-)
Kristi Mielke also offered the group an opportunity to partner with our mother church in purchasing a meal and delivering it to a needy family in Delaware County.