“We have become the scum of the earth.” This quote from 1 Corinthians inspired the name of this unique place Scum of the Earth Church.
Welcome to Scum of the Earth Church in Denver. It was a non-denominational Christian church. Scum of the Earth Church was based in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Its mission was to be an outpost on the perimeter of God’s kingdom. It sought redemption in Jesus Christ. The unusual name and mission attracted attention from religious and non-religious people.
Let’s dive into the story of Scum of the Earth Church. Mike Sares and Reese Roper founded the church in February 2000. Roper was a vocalist for the band Five Iron Frenzy. Sares had left his role with a Presbyterian church. They wanted to minister to young people who felt like outcasts. These were people who would never enter a traditional church. Skateboarders, goths, punk rockers, and the tattooed crowd were all welcome.
A member of the Bible study group suggested the name. Sares hesitated but then adopted it. The name is based on 1 Corinthians 4:11-13. It speaks of being hungry, thirsty, in rags, and brutally treated. It mentions homelessness and hard work. It talks about blessings when cursed and enduring persecution. It says answering kindly when slandered and becoming the scum of the earth.
Initial meetings were held at a coffee shop. Growth led to several location changes. In September 2008 the church bought its own building. It was located at 935 W 11th Avenue in the Santa Fe Arts District. Outside supporters made substantial donations.
Scum of the Earth Church wanted to build a place where folks who didn’t fit in other church settings would feel welcome. Many who came could identify with the name. They had been previously treated as such. The name implied that people of faith are not better than anyone else.
Writer Bob Whitesel described the congregation. It included the urban poor, homeless, and disenfranchised youth. Goths, skateboarders, urban artists, and immigrant families were among them. Blue-collar families, seminary students, professors, and diverse social classes were present.
The church ran various programs and classes. It held regular worship meetings. These included podcasts and art exhibitions. There were classes on creative writing. A photographic gallery showed its activities.
The church hosted visiting teachers. Craig Blomberg and Douglas Groothius from Denver Seminary spoke. Trevor Bron, former pastor at The Next Level church also visited. Bob Belz of Walden Media and author Margaret Feinburg spoke too. Author and actor Susan Isaacs also taught there.
Scum of the Earth Church attracted comment from various quarters. It was categorized as emergent. It inspired the founding of other churches like The Refuse church.
Journalists John Micklethwait and Adrian Woolridge mentioned Scum of the Earth. They said it was part of America’s landscape of niche worship communities. These communities cater to unique demands.
Sadly, the church’s final worship service was held on November 10th, 2024. Mike Sares returned to preach from the book of Lamentations. The service closed with an acoustic rendition of Five Iron Frenzy’s song Every New Day.
Today the building stands as a reminder of a unique chapter in Denver’s religious history. Scum of the Earth Church welcomed those who felt excluded. It offered a place to belong. It showed an alternative way to practice faith.