what Christianity should look like"; they conclude their piece, writing that at SOTEC, "tattoos and piercings do not a liberal make" and that "joy of Scum" was that it allowed individuals to pursue their faith regardless of appearance, or place of residence. The church has been described as "emergent" or placed within the movement of "Emergent Church[es]" by those reporting on it, and by Brian D. McLaren, a former English professor and contributor to "The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives" (2003). History Scum of the Earth Church was founded by Mike Sares and Reese Roper in February 2000. It is described as growing out of a Bible study led by Sares, who was a pastor associated with a Presbyterian church in Denver (Corona Presbyterian Church), and prompted by his forced resignation after departure of the church's senior pastor. The Bible study moved its meetings into the home of Sares, after he left his pastoring job. In Sares recollection, as related to David Yonke of Sare's hometown Toledo Blade, Sares and Reese Roper of the band Five Iron Frenzy then "decided to stop talking about such a church and go ahead and start one." Sares recalls that the first meetings of the church were held at a coffee shop called the Prodigal, which served as a "drop-in center for homeless ... kids" during the work week. The name of the church is much reported and commented upon. The name is taken from 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (as it appears in particular translations, e.g., the New International Version, NIV): As described by Mike Sares to Bob Whitesel, It has elsewhere been reported that Sares initially expressed concern over possible controversy that could result from the name, but that he ultimately agreed with the group. After overcrowding became an issue, the church was given space in the Tollgate Coffee House in 2001. Continued growth and tenant issues lead the church to move to its third location at a now-demolished building; in August 2007, the congregation found itself meeting in the building belonging to the Church in the City "just off of East Colfax" (on the corner of Colfax and Josephine in downtown Denver). Then, in September 2008, the church purchased, at 935 W. 11th Avenue in Denver, a building that is "tucked behind a 7-Eleven and a liquor store." Despite a considerable sum having been spent by former owner Hanzon on renovations, the