Senior Pastor Ken Brown says the job he took at one of Denver’s most storied churches turned into a hostile grind that he is now preparing to leave behind.
Brown, who leads the historic Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver, alleges his tenure was marked by harassment and what he calls a “toxic” workplace. His attorney says Brown was demoted and saw his pay and benefits reduced while the legal team weighs its options. Church leaders, including the presiding bishop, are publicly framing the move as a routine transition and say Brown turned down an alternate assignment within the denomination.
Those competing narratives surfaced in an investigation by 9News, which interviewed Brown and obtained an independent third-party review of disputes inside the congregation. According to the outlet, that review concluded it was "more likely than not" that the behavior of one member undermined Brown’s leadership, while finding it less likely that the conduct was driven by racial bias. Brown’s attorney, Tom Arckey, told 9News that the pastor was demoted and faced cuts to pay and benefits, and that they are exploring legal options.
Background
Brown has been a visible presence in Denver’s faith and social-justice circles, leading anti-racism work and community outreach at Trinity, according to a 2022 profile in Westword. The downtown congregation has a long record of civic engagement and interfaith collaboration and is a familiar landmark in the neighborhood around Broadway and 18th Avenue.
Church Response and Review
Trinity’s own bulletin and staff directory list Brown as senior pastor and give the church’s address as 1820 Broadway in a document posted by the congregation, Trinity United Methodist Church. In a statement to 9News, Presiding Bishop Kristin Stoneking said Brown’s exit "is part of a normal transition" and confirmed he had been offered another appointment, which he declined.
Legal Outlook
Arckey says his team is still assessing next steps, and that what happens from here will depend on whether the dispute stays within church channels or moves into civil court. Church officials, for their part, say they will handle the staffing change while regular worship services and outreach programs carry on.
