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Blaine Hogan is an actor turned Creative Director for Willow Creek Community Church.  Here are some highlights from the notes I took in his Echo Conference session called "Ideas, Hope and the Creative Process."

Opening thoughts:

• Art seeks to tell the truth in dark places. It's a lot like faith.
• Most Christian art feels more like propaganda than truth because of a lack of creativity.
• That could change if we view ourselves more as pastors and prophets than technicians and producers.

Making Good Art & Finding a Good Story

• Best art comes from reading my own story.  Think of the things you did that you're proud of or moved people the most.  Did they resonate with you first?
• Don't set out to make a point but tell a story.
• The best ideas have to move you before it can move someone else.  Don't feel guilty about it.

Blaine's Creative Process

• Listen. To yourself and community. What is the story your community is trying to tell?  Talk to leadership to let you make something that moves you at least once every six weeks.  It helps you stay creative.
• Scratch when you don't itch.  Capture everything. Listen to music, see movies, etc.  Scratching isn't stealing. You're taking your impression to use another day.
• Go analog when you're stuck.  Go offline.  Write by hand.
• Creativity and disorganization are not badges of honor. Less organized doesn't make you more creative.  It just gives you more chaos.
• Even the failed pieces are essential. Fail and fail often.

If you have a process, you can produce art like this:

Closing thought

• Our sacred places are meant for more than making propaganda. It's a place to tell stories.

Blaine has posted all his notes on his website.  Here's the slide show from his presentation: