My liveblogging of the Exponential Conference, the largest gathering of church planters in North America, is over.  Most of my posts were notes on specific sessions, and I never reflected on the conference as a whole.  Here is a random collection of surprises, learnings, and people I met:
People I met:

A pastor considering planting in Austin, [...]

The conference ended almost a week ago, but here are a few notes from  my final workshop, on coaching.
The workshop was with Bob Harrington, a Canadian now living in the southern US, working with the Restore Training Center, all about the training of msisional church planters.  The host church’s web site is http://www.harpethcc.com/ but he [...]

Wednesday’s last plenary was a mixture of these three speakers, each answering the question, “What does it take to transform a community?”
Brenda Salter McNeil is a well known speaker who focused on racial reconciliation using Acts 1:8.  She described reconciliation in “Samaria”, when people are so different they say “God ought to do something about [...]

This was a plenary session packed with speakers!
The first was Reggie McNeal, of the Leadership Network.  He described the Missional Church this way:

The people of God (we are not planting an “it” but a “who”)
partnering with Him
in his redemptive mission
in the world

Some soundbites from Reggie.  I didn’t find he had much of value to say [...]

My first workshop of the day was with Efrem Smith, who planted Sanctuary Covenant Church, a multi-ethnic church plant in Minneapolis.  He started with a core group of 22, that grew to 80 before launch day.

A core team is vital to multi-ethnic planting.
It should equip and empower people serving with you around something that’s very [...]

This morning’s second plenary was with Matt Chandler once again.  A few soundbites:

How do we “behold” Jesus and let his glory transform us?
Constantly preach the gospel to yourself
Isn’t Ephesians 1-2 just the gospel?
God’s working on a plan much bigger than you or I
There are too many people involved in the church for it not to [...]

The first plenary speaker this morning was Ken Blanchard, founder of Lead Like Jesus.  He shared his story of coming to faith as a leadership consultant and author, when he learned “everything I had taught and written about leadership, Jesus already did.”  He described these stages of leadership development, with stories of Jesus forming his [...]

This morning’s two sessions with Francis Chan were the last of the Exponential pre-conference.  Chan is the high-profile lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California.  Just two days ago, however, he announced his resignation, and this topic dominated his powerful message.
Chan shared his upcoming transition as a response to Jesus’ call to deny [...]