Mainstream Observer profiles very-un-mainstream Geez

One of the most professional and well-regarded church publications in Canada, the United Church Observer, carries in its November issue a profile of one of its hipper, much more controversial younger brethren -- the Winnnipeg-based magazine Geez. The profile is not available online at the Observer, but fortunately you can see it on the Geez site.

Writer Caley Moore writes about the magazine's founders and editors Aiden Enns and Will Braun and their "edgy and provocative tone":

Geez’s brand of mischief combines a playful sense of humour with a willingness to engage people of opposing beliefs. In the “Let’s Get Evangelical” issue, for example, Todd Friel, the host of a fundamentalist Christian radio show in California, enumerates “The Top 10 Reasons Geez gets up my nose.” By doing the unexpected, Geez “send[s] a signal that readers will be challenged,” says Braun, “that it’s not just about staying in the same rut.”

“Holy mischief” also explains the name Geez, which some Christians find offensive. Enns admits that the choice was intentionally controversial, in keeping with the magazine’s aim to “blaspheme the gods of super-powerdom,” who determine, among other things, conventional notions of propriety. In addition, the name indicates to potential readers the quarterly’s subversive take on Christianity.

Interestingly, the founders seem to be concerned that their award-winning ways (Magazine of the Year, Western Magazine Awards) may be making them too "mainstream". (Perhaps being profiled in the Observer will simply add to their concern.)

Braun said: “I don’t know that Geez has to be around forever. It’s an experiment. Once the evolutionary process dries up, we’ll move on to something else.”