The cre:ate2110 conference in Franklin, Tennessee has been more than a conference for my the past nine years. As a “creative” in ministry I feel like I belong to a tribe of amazingly smart, gifted and godly men and women who gather each year to have an extraordinary salon about worship, film, media, art and culture. There seems to be no other ministry related event in the nation like this.

I owe this very blog to attending cre:ate conference. I am now in the top 50 of Christianity blogs, and the collective blogroll the tribe of attendees is amazingly strong with people like Carlos and Randy. (Go to my blogroll to see some of them). This is just one tangible evidence of how impacting this conference has been on me and others.

Each year I look forward to learning from authors, pastors, filmmakers and the collective group which alone is worth the trip. Indeed, the relationships that have lasted these years and influenced me have made this trip one I cannot miss.

On top of that, the experiences with music, art and food are astounding. I can’t wait!

“Epiphany 2009”

That is what author Ian Morgan Cron wrote inside the flap of the book he authored, Chasing Francis as I handing it to him for an autograph. I am pretty sure I had an epiphany of sorts at the Eucharist he and Randy Elrod performed as part of one of our cre:ate think tank sessions. Let me share a couple things before I share what happened. Read the rest of this entry »

For eight years I have been a part of an amazing think tank and creative leader conference called cre:ate (recreate) in Franklin, TN. Randy Elrod and his wife Chris have founded not just an environment that challenges, encourages and catapults a group of leaders but they have created a real community of influencers who are shaping the local church in America and beyond. Read the rest of this entry »

Randy Elrod is a friend who has impacted my life in ways he may never know. He has a new book of his water colors out called “Beauty Is Calling” and is offering it at a discount price right now of $19.99 (a $60 value). Besides the enjoyment of this book as a collection of art, you will be supporting Kalien, a center that mentors young artists.  Go to Randy’s blog to find out more and purchase the book.