Kingdom Harbor

Dear readers:

It’s been a year of “radical ordinariness” at MainStreet Covenant Church! Sometimes the most difficult thing to do in times of chaos is to remain settled, grounded, and sane. Who knew sanity would become such a rebellious trait?

By radical ordinariness, I mean we spent the year simply gathering around the Lord’s teaching and Table each week. We taught our children to love their neighbors as themselves, and according to Jesus, neighbor includes EVERYONE who comes across our path, even enemies. We sang. We prayed. We broke bread and ate. We laughed and we cried. We confessed sin and fell on amazing grace. All in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Women’s huddles met in homes to hold each other up through the trials of work and unemployment, parenting and marriage, and the rest. Our growing kids started helping serve communion. We’ve pooled our money to support our missionaries in Nicaragua, and partnered this year with Arrive Ministries serving our immigrant and refugee neighbors locally.

A favorite moment for me was when middle schooler Jocelyn Cottingham wrote her own song and performed it as a faith testimony at her baptism this summer. The song was about letting her life be a song that draws others to the love of God.

This year marked 15 years since Keri and I first cast a bold vision for a church that was more than a Sunday 1-hour event, but a community of people on mission each day bringing the love and good news of Jesus beyond the church walls and into the everyday spaces. 

We don’t count the number of programs we offer and how many people come into the church building each week. Instead, we count how many ways and in how many places we are bringing the light of Christ between Sundays. We have scout leaders; teachers; meals on wheels drivers; tutors; youth sports coaches; and more. The real ministry begins when we leave church each Sunday.

I’m blessed to lead by example having spent several years as a “happy sower” spreading faith, hope, and love all week long with my writings, podcast, teaching on college campuses, and this year, an exploding music ministry into pubs and senior communities. I performed 30 times this year (often with my kids), at 12 venues, bringing songs of hope to more than 5,000 souls. Here’s one shout out:

“We were extremely blessed to have Pastor Jeremy Berg at Flagstone Senior Living for our Music Sunday service in August. He was so engaging and personable. He is a gifted musician who did a great job of integrating and weaving testimonies and scriptures into his presentation. I observed miles of smiles from residents even the following day and they have already been asking me to BRING HIM BACK!!! That we definitely will do!  – Pastor Paula 

In these days of political extremism, idolatry and a growing faction of so-called Christians who speak and act nothing like Jesus, my main goal is to help shepherd a small flock of men, women and children faithfully into the radical love and kindness of Christ. We end each gathering by reciting the “Jesus Creed” together, led by one of the children, aspiring to “Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength; and love our neighbors as ourselves.” That’s enough.

I want to give special acknowledgment to some key leaders: Keri Berg’s ongoing dedication to our kids; Karen Sazdoff’s spiritual direction and prayer leadership; Brendan Berndt’s help with music and worship; and Pastor Mike Fox’s steady wisdom and faithful presence in so many lives.

And to all our MainStreet attenders and faithful partners whose financial support enables this church to continue and me to devote myself full-time to the work of a local missionary, creative ambassador, and evangelist “in the marketplace day by day with all who happen  to be there” (Acts 17:17). In days of morally bankrupt leadership, we need to support leaders and institutions committed to the work of moral formation and shining light and love into the darkness. Please consider a year-end gift to help us finish the year strong.

So, here’s to another year of radical ordinariness!

Pastor Jeremy Berg, MainStreet Covenant Church