Guest Post: Scott McClellan

Why Do Those People Need A Conference?

Before Tuesday, it had been a long time since someone intentionally treated me like garbage. Tuesday is when I found myself crossing the US-Canada border as I made my way to Create Conference. That’s when a surly border agent gave me the grilling of a lifetime.

Where do you live? Dallas, Texas.

Where are you going? St. Catherine’s, Ontario.

Why? For a conference.

Who’s the conference for? Graphic designers, video producers, communications directors — people like that.

Why do those people need a conference? Uhh …

The question caught me completely off guard. I mean, I work for Echo, so the thought that “those people” ought to have a conference is completely natural to me. Yet she reacted like it was the stupidest idea she’d ever heard. Eventually, I mumbled something about “best practices” or something, and she moved on to grilling me about something else. But I kept thinking about her question, and here’s what I wish I would’ve said:

Because those people have an important job.

Because those people have a difficult job.

Because those people tell the Story.

Because those people serve the Church in a unique way.

Because it seems like there is plenty of affirmation for the work of teaching pastors and worship pastors and so on.

Because those people deserve the opportunity to connect with others like them.

Because something amazing happens when a tribe assembles.

Because those people are a curious lot — they love to learn and ask questions.

Because in person is better than online.

Because those people need to refuel and recharge so they can keep up the good work.

That’s all I’ve got. What did I miss?

NOTE: For what it’s worth, every other Canadian I encountered on my trip was incredibly friendly. What a great country! As for the border agent, I’m sure she was just doing her job. And hey, she got me thinking …

Guest Post By Scott McClellan at Collide Magazine.