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I’m not a big conference guy.  For better or worse, I don’t go to a lot of them.  It really comes down to the fact I’m rarely inspired.  But as you can tell from all of the blogging, Echo is different for me.  This is a conference where I felt challenged daily, but I also feel equipped in very practical ways to head home and try to improve my skills.  So thanks to all of the organizers, presenters and attendees at Echo 2010.

As I leave Echo, here are my favorite insights from Dallas.

• Creativity and disorganization are not badges of honor. Less organized doesn't make you more creative. It just gives you more chaos.  Our sacred places are meant for more than making propaganda. It's a place to tell stories.  From Blaine Hogan.
• When you surprise people you get around the first filter that keeps most of our stories out of them.  There’s a huge difference between a surprise and shock.   Shocks are cheating and can be offensive.  Life change comes through a surprise, not a shock.  From Jon Acuff.
• Be inspired. Don't imitate. God is creative.  He doesn't create clones. The greatest sin we commit is copy and pasting. It skips understanding which is key to growing.  We connect with real people and stories. People don't trust marketing.  Why do things have to be wrapped in a perfect package instead of being real and showing our flaws?  Talk how you really talk and show real pictures. We have to reveal things we don't want to talk about. Let the real show. From Tim Schraeder.
• The best blogs are written on purpose. The best blogs reek of intentionality and planning.  What should I do for my ministry that I can only do?  This is a way you can discover your voice.  From Scott McClellan.
• Wisdom comes from the streets.  Are you creating things for people that don't actually exist?  Are you relying on your perception or are you talking to real people?  Work on simplicity. It takes a lot of work to be simple.  From Charles Lee.
• Technology is not neutral. Using it will transform you in some way. Do you think about how you will change if you start using a new technology?  We develop a reflected sense of self when becoming saturated with technology.  Then we need constant validation. We like the way people see us online.  We go online for validation and ignore our relationships.  From Rhett Smith.
• The lack of creativity is killing God’s church.  You can’t create great art if you don’t love what God loves.  From Todd Wagner.