<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. That\u2019s when a surly border agent gave me the grilling of a lifetime.<\/p>\n Where do you live? <\/em>Dallas, Texas.<\/p>\n Where are you going? <\/em>St. Catherine\u2019s, Ontario.<\/p>\n Why? <\/em>For a conference.<\/p>\n Who\u2019s the conference for? <\/em>Graphic designers, video producers, communications directors \u2014 people like that.<\/p>\n Why do those people need a conference?<\/em> Uhh \u2026<\/p>\n The question caught me completely off guard. I mean, I work for Echo<\/a>, so the thought that \u201cthose people\u201d ought to have a conference is completely natural to me. Yet she reacted like it was the stupidest idea she\u2019d ever heard. Eventually, I mumbled something about \u201cbest practices\u201d or something, and she moved on to grilling me about something else. But I kept thinking about her question, and here\u2019s what I wish I would\u2019ve said:<\/p>\n Because those people have an important job.<\/p>\n Because those people have a difficult job.<\/p>\n Because those people tell the Story.<\/p>\n Because those people serve the Church in a unique way.<\/p>\n Because it seems like there is plenty of affirmation for the work of teaching pastors and worship pastors and so on.<\/p>\n Because those people deserve the opportunity to connect with others like them.<\/p>\n Because something amazing happens when a tribe assembles.<\/p>\n Because those people are a curious lot \u2014 they love to learn and ask questions.<\/p>\n Because in person is better than online.<\/p>\n Because those people need to refuel and recharge so they can keep up the good work.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all I\u2019ve got. What did I miss? <\/strong><\/p>\n NOTE: For what it\u2019s worth, every other Canadian I encountered on my trip was incredibly friendly. What a great country! As for the border agent, I\u2019m sure she was just doing her job. And hey, she got me thinking \u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n