IVP - Strangely Dim - The Vindication of Scum

Good news out of Denver reported (albeit in hushed tones) by pastor and soon-to-be Likewise Books author Mike Sares: in a dispute with his church's neighbor over noise complaints, the courts found in favor of the church. This from Mike's newsletter:

Scum of the Earth was declared "not guilty" of disturbing the peace in Denver court on June 4, 2009. (Say "Hallelujah" quietly.)

For the unfamiliar, "Scum of the Earth" is the name of Mike's church, taken from Paul's description of apostleship to the Corinthians (the first ones, not the second ones):

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

You have to keep a sense of humor when you call yourselves the scum of the earth--and when you commit yourself to responding to anger with love, to adversity with endurance, to confrontation with grace. Mike keeps his wits about him in all things, and his church is blessed for it.

Scum of the Earth isn't the first or the only church to find itself at odds with its neighbors, though it may be the most colorfully named. Scum went to great pains to accommodate its neighbor, which may have contributed to the court's favorable ruling. But even after the case is closed, the challenge of loving our neighbors remains an open proposition. Pray for Scum and churches everywhere to love well, and at the end of the day, to be able to laugh at the days to come.