A couple of years ago, I walked into one of the biggest churches in Calgary and was greeted with a handshake and a smile by “greeter.” (Do you think the role of greeter is a paid position?) I did not blend in with the crowd with my over worn jeans and under done style. After I was in the church for a total of two minutes I didn’t know where the heck I was. Can you blame me – They actually had one of those huge pedestal maps that you see in malls, which so nicely pointed out that I was “here.” I was looking for Chapel three so I could attend the “college and career” Sunday school. I walked down hallway one and back, then went upstairs, opened a door and walked in on a choir rehearsal, went back downstairs, couldn’t find the map to try and reorient myself and then gave up. Defeated, I asked a teenage girl for some assistance. After a were-you-born-yesterday-you-can’t-be-telling-me-you-are-actually-lost look she politely told me that Chapel three was right around the corner.

After Sunday school I spotted a coffee shop right inside the church, complete with barrister and chai lattes. With a bible in my left hand a caramel machiatto in my other, I was ready for the worship service. The sanctuary was fully loaded with a massive sound system, multiple screens, cameras flying around on mechanical arms, lights and a smoke machine. I figured I was in for a real show.

When did church become so complicated?

I grew up going to a church that was a renovated mechanic shop with a congregation of about 60 people (on a good day). No one ever had the name tag, “greeter” because everyone said hi to everyone. Growing up, I often dreamed of going to a “cool” church, thinking that my small country church was so lame. Now that I have been a part of some bigger churches and seen a number of other ways of doing church I am beginning to think maybe my church was not so bad after all.

There is a movement of people that are throwing out the mega church model and getting back to basics. Simple church, commonly known as “house church,” is not new and actually looks a lot like church did a couple thousand years ago. No need for a fancy degree to start one, just a desire to follow Jesus and passion for people. There is a great video at  that gives some insight into what simple church is all about.

You can see more here too, http://whatissimplechurch.com/ . I like the first interview in this series about simple church.

The Simple Way has been doing house church for ages. Their magazine, Conspire, is distributed by a network of house churches and other groups, see their listing here: http://www.conspiremagazine.com/index.php/pickup- Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Aiden, our Geez editor, has taken flight! He is off in Cincinnati Ohio at the CCDA National Conference learning about simplicity, subversion, solidarity, synergy and symphony.

The conference has been going since 1989 and presents Christians with a challenge to actually live how Christ lived.

If you all the sudden want to see Aiden, just fly on down. He’ll be sitting at an exhibit booth next to the book store. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Neoliberalism…Good…Bad?? Some say it is great and that it will enable all nations to prosper and develop. Others say it is terrible and would bring utter chaos. I don’t know about you but I sure am confused. Shoot, I don’t actually understand what neoliberalism really is.

Well THANK GOODNESS there are smart people out there that can explain things in a neat, comforting, easy-to-understand way. And how lucky am I that there is even a nifty little video, complete with labcoat instructor (uses baloons! Yippee!) that will explain the thick beastly concept of, dum dum dum: neoliberalism.

Looking for ways to respond? Maybe Geez’s catalogue of social change will help you understand where you fit in.

Be sure to look for Andy Alexis-Baker’s article in the upcoming Jesus issue of Geez magazine, due to ship mid November. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Thanks to Rob Peters, a friend of Geez, I found out about Herakut, an unlikely art duo that creates on-the-edge art.

Hera is a classically trained painter while Akut is completely self taught. They bring their very different styles together to create art that is unique, beautiful and weird. In an interview Herakut is explained as, “Hera and Akut speaking at the same time, telling you completely different stories or the very same story just in their very own words. It might be difficult to understand but it´s full of strange, new information.”
They also go onto explain how their art is a way of having a conversation with each other.

You can check out their art online or on youtube – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Geez magazine is proud to sponsor The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why, featuring keynote speaker Phyllis Tickle, on October 31, 2009.

Whatever ever happened to the year of Jubilee? It is hard to imagine all the world’s debts canceled, putting everyone back on a level playing field. You might think this concept has been lost with many of the Old Testament laws but think again. Jubliee USA Network is campaigning to see expanded debt cancellation in order to alleviate poverty.

“Still, 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty.  The gap between the rich and the poor is growing – at least 53 million additional people will be forced to live on less than $2/day this year, due to the global economic crisis.  Meanwhile, the world’s poorest countries send $100 million every day in debt repayment to the world’s richest countries and financial institutions.  We have the power to change this!” read more…

You can also check out Wikipedia and the Kairos website for more information. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Today we say hello to our newest intern, Megan Kamei. She’s from Providence College, studying communications and media. Why did she choose Geez for an internship? Well, at some point in the future she plans to work on a magazine in India. Yes, that India. On the other side of the world. She’s done some work with an organization called Touch India Trust and plans to return. Welcome aboard Megan! – Aiden Enns, editor

After 15 issues of Geez, I’m moving on from my role as Geez editor. Ever since Aiden Enns invited me to join the Geez endeavour back in 2005, when it was still in the idea stage, I have had the opportunity to connect with and work with many fine people, including many of you reading this message. For this I am deeply grateful. It’s been a good ride — educational, adventurous, challenging and gratifying.

From the beginning, I imaged being involved about as long as I now have. I now look forward to work that is less demanding of my time and leaves more time for family. Specifically, I will be working part time for the Winnipeg-based Interfaith Task Force on Northern Hydro Development. Similar to work I did prior to Geez, this job will involve advocacy and organizing on issues related to the hydroelectric system in northern Manitoba. I will continue to write for Geez and others as time permits. And a move to the rurals is also in the works, though not yet imminent.

Again, a big thanks to all who are, or have been part of the Geez world. Aiden Enns will be assuming primary responsibility for editorial work at Geez from now on. I wish him and the rest of the Geez team my best. Aiden can be contacted at aiden [at] geezmagazine [dot] org.

Thanks, Will Braun

All readers and supporters are invited to a party in honour of Will Braun, who has left his position as Editor of Geez magazine to pursue other interests.

Friday, September 18, 2009 7:30 p.m.

Crossways-in-Common, 222 Furby Street (at Broadway), Winnipeg

It  will also be somewhat of a 4th anniversary celebration of Geez magazine, which currently has issue no. 16 in production. We couldn’t have made it this far without Will.

Some refreshments provided (including spirits) but please BYOB for that house party feel.

We’ll have a minimum of speeches, live music by The Swirldines, and a possible late night showing of JFK, the movie by Oliver Stone, to satisfy Will’s recent (and other people’s ongoing) conspiracy theory interests.

RSVP: Miriam Meinders: miriam@geezmagazine.org,  (204) 779-8594

After three nominations, Geez finally scooped top honours for best Spiritual Coverage  at the 2009 Utne Independent Press Awards. See their (quite favourable) comments here, (scroll half way down).

They said Geez had “an inspiring year, when every issue was as playful as it was profound.”

The road between extreme believers and angry atheists gets pretty slim, but the Utne judges saw the path, “The editors have created a place where writing and reading about lives inspired but not overcome by religious doctrine can be accomplished in peace.”

“Unlike many magazines about spirituality and religion, this ad-free, nonprofit, volunteer-supported publication bypasses sentimentality for earnest exploration, and seems to have a hell of a time doing it.” 

Socially conscious
At the Canadian Church Press awards banquet, Geez editor and journalist Will Braun received top honours for “socially conscious religious journalism.” He received the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award, a prize which comes with $1,000, for his analysis and questioning of the sermons preached in mega churches (printed in Geez issue no. 10, “Can I get an Amen? Mega-sermons in a hurting world”).

Also at the Canadian Church Press convention, Geez magazine received three first place awards: one for best layout and design of an issue, one for best opinion piece and one for best black and white photo. 

Geez editors were delighted to receive second place for general excellence in the magazine category, behind the routinely excellent United Church Observer. Geez took home two third-place awards (front cover and feature article) and an honorable mention as well (for a first person account).

Associated Church Press

This U.S.-based religious awards ceremony was held this year in Indianapolis, Indiana, and featured 1,000 entries in 60 categories.

Geez magazine received second place for the first-person article by Dan Leonard, “Lessons from a white, Republican male,” and second for Ryan Booth’s photo, “Boy not praying.”

Geez was third best in its class (special interest magazine) and third in the design of an entire issue.

Western Magazine Awards

Finally, Geez has been nominated for Magazine of the year, Manitoba, at the Western Magazine Awards. Watch for the results at the Vancouver banquet, June 19, 2009. - Aiden Enns, publisher, Geez magazine

Full results with names, categories and links:

Canadian Church Press (link here)

A.C. Forrest Memorial Award, first place

(for socially conscious religious journalism)

“Can I get an Amen? Mega-sermons in a hurting world,”

by Will Braun

Layout and design of an edition (magazine), first place

“30 sermons you’d never hear in church”

by Darryl Brown, designer

and Aiden Enns, Will Braun editors

Opinion piece (magazine), first place

“Maybe the battle is over: Rethinking activist assumptions”

by Will Braun

Black and white photo, first place

“Boy not praying”

by Ryan Booth

General excellence (magazine), second place

Geez magazine, Summer, Fall, Winter 2008

Magazine front cover, third place

“30 sermons you’d never hear in church”

by Darryl Brown, photographer and designer

Features (magazine), third place

“Can I get an Amen? Mega-sermons in a hurting world,”

by Will Braun

Personal experience/First person account, honourable mention

“Lessons from a white Republican male”

by Dan Leonard

Associated Church Press (link here)

Photography with article or cutline (magazine)
Award of merit (i.e. second place)
“Boy among people praying” by Ryan Booth,
“This is just one of many excellent photos in this particular spread. Supports the theme well.” 

Personal experience, first-person account (short format) 

Award of merit (i.e. second place)

“Lessons from a white, Republican male” 

by Dan Leonard, 

A remarkable piece of writing that combines youthful passion with profound humility, as an activist learns to honor the virtue of stability and the example of commitment right under his nose. An important new voice.”

Best in class: Special interest magazine

Honourable mention (i.e. third place)

This is a much-needed concept carried out very well. It has the potential to reach a group of people that will rarely if ever come to church.

Magazine design, entire Issue: 1- 2- or 3-color

Honorable mention (i.e. third place)

Geez, Summer 2008

by Darryl Brown, designer,

Western magazine awards (link here)

Magazine of the year (Manitoba) nomination

Announcements take place Friday, June 19, 2009 at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside