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Jason
Condon,
Capax Dei Pastor
www.capaxdei.com
1.
how would
you define the
"postmodern/emerging"
conversation?
Adolescent, but maturing, though
still in danger of postponing adulthood.
Moving through tension of deconstruction
toward reconstruction. Increasingly
positive, but perhaps losing some of its
edge by becoming another “popular
movement” (though that’s probably a
reflection of snobbish early-adopters’
distrust of perceived newbies
and wannabes, like your favorite indie
band getting signed and “everybody”
discovering them).
2.
what makes
capax dei
different from other churches in the area?
Nothing: We’re with Vince on
this one: “All possible care must be
taken, that we hold that faith which has
been believed everywhere, always, and by
all.” —
St. Vincent
of Lerins,
d. 445 AD.
Something: A few things that I
think are somewhat superficial: weekly
worship on Sunday nights; younger than
average leadership and congregation;
eclecticism of style that blends
classical spiritual practices and
liturgical elements with more culturally
indigenous music, media, language, and
art.
Everything:
I shudder a bit at
“vision” and “values” stuff, but
they can honestly be helpful when they
aren’t banished to some plaque never
to be heard from again. So, for us, the
inclusion of “engaging culture” as
part of our overall vision to
“encounter God, embrace people, and
engage culture in the way of Jesus,”
might be a bit distinctive. Our
particular emphasis and blend of
biblical values definitely gives a
unique fingerprint: “Awe. Beauty.
Roots. Community. Justice.” (www.capaxdei.com/about/mission)
3.
what do
you see as the “three” main differences
between a postmodern/emerging community of
faith and a "modern" church?
pax
Dei’s values capture some of the
differences. Gross generalizations are
both, but here goes.
Awe - MC: tend to play up
“clever” over “deep.”
Uncomfortable with mystery,
uncontrollable need to explain (away)
the punchline.
EC: Reflection follows
experience. A God we can fully explain
isn’t worth worshipping and serving
(though reason, logic, and relevance are
still important components of our
faith).
Beauty - MC: place higher
value on pragmatic functionality and
utilizing art and beauty to
serve/illustrate/propagandize something
else (e.g. “office chic” worship décor,
skits, and powerpoint
slides). EC: Beauty is its own
apologetic -- good art tells the truth,
bad art lies (cf. Bezalel
vs. Aaron).
Roots - MC: distrust of others’
traditions. EC: distrust of all
traditions, yet bias toward
pre-reformation and pre-Schism Christian
traditions, with a real willingness to reappropriate
the “best”(which
is only slightly less arrogant than
ignoring them).
(MC: the need to explain
things in three points :)
Community - MC: community
is the endgame, one of the stated goals
of what should come out the skinny end
of the funnel. EC: Community is the ends
and the means. High expectation
community not hidden (or absent), but
genuinely offered from the start, with
freedom to still pace oneself.
Justice – MC: emphasis
on compassion and addressing the
immediate need (certainly important).
EC: emphasis on justice and ending the
underlying causes of the particular
suffering.
4.
how do you see art, visual and
written, playing a role in capax dei?
Our value on “Beauty”
explains, “We are inspired by the
breathtaking artistry of our Creator and
seek to reflect that beauty in all we do
as we co-create with him.” It plays
prominently in our communications and
worship gatherings. It helps bring the whole
Gospel to the whole
person.
We see it as one way of inspiring
others to pursue God, and an honorable
gift to be shared (not lesser than other
gifts). It’s great at raising
questions and tugging on the soul.
5.
as a
church planter in a postmodern/emerging
world what do you see as the major pitfalls?
Trying to “innovate” beyond
orthodoxy and becoming unmoored from
consensual Christian Faith. Trying to be
a “feral” church, independent from any
parenting that the larger
Body of Christ, the Church, can provide.
Conversely, allowing others
(well-meaning or self-serving) to keep
you from dancing right up to the edge of
“feral innovation” (and occasionally
going over and needing forgiveness).
6.
is capax dei
connected to a denomination, and if yes, how
does that denomination help in developing
your vision for capax dei?
We’ve received incredible,
tangible support and encouragement from
the
Evangelical
Covenant
Church
(www.covchurch.org).
They’ve provided training, assessment,
resources, and ongoing coaching all
without an “official” relationship.
Needless-to-say, we’re pursuing
official adoption into this wonderful
family of churches. They’re helping us
stay true to what God has already called
us to.
7.
knowing
that a postmodern/emerging world is in
constant flux, where do you see capax dei
in five years?
Still around. By God’s grace
and our response, we’ll increasingly
be a neighborhood
church in the Neighborhood of
the Arts/East End/Cultural District of
Rochester, with a regional
reach (particularly with the
multiple college campuses), and greater
engagement with the global
Christian community (learning
from them, missions, persecuted church,
etc.).
do
you have any closing thoughts you would like
to share with us?
I fear I’ve said too much.
They’re on to me.
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