The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Berg is the founding and lead pastor of MainStreet Covenant Church in Minnetonka Beach, MN, where he has served since 2010. He is an adjunct professor of Biblical and Theological Studies who has taught classes at Bethel University, University of Northwestern—St. Paul, North Central University, Crown College, and Solid Rock Discipleship School. Jeremy earned a doctorate in New Testament Context under Scot McKnight at Northern Seminary (Chicago). He and his wife, Kjerstin, have three kids, Peter, Isaak and Abigail.
If I’m being honest, my heart has been condemning me quite a bit lately. My heart desires to honor God by living a life of love and acting in ways worthy of Christ. But I keep falling short. I keep missing the mark. This week’s lectionary text brings us into a section of 1 John that is equal measures reassuring and unsettling. … More Ease Up, My Heart
Recently a very popular pastor came under public attack, lost numerous speaking invitations, and had his radio program canceled. What was his sin? He counseled a grandmother to attend her trans grandchild’s wedding. The pastor himself is extremely conservative on matters of marriage and sexuality, and his theological position on these issues has not changed. … More Fundamentalism’s Folly (Skye Jethani)
A dark shadow is threatening to block out the light of Jesus’ ethic and Kingdom vision for many today. This eclipse has been slowly ongoing for years, and the shadow grows ever larger by the hour. Today, some find themselves in the path of totality, where this lunar / lunatic figure now seems to block out 100% of Jesus-shaped light and reason and truth. … More Beware the Eclipse of the Son
The story of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28 reveals a stairway connecting Heaven and Earth, with angels ascending and descending. This reminds us of God’s presence in our lives – especially in the dry seasons – bringing hope and carrying our burdens. Jesus, as the gateway to Heaven, brings the heavenly realm to Earth, uniting believers with God’s supernatural activity.
… More Angels in the Desert
On Easter Sunday, instead of gathering crowds at the church, MainStreet held a humble service at Harrison Bay Senior Living. The sermon, “Two Rolling Stones,” took on a rhythmic and poetic style, inspired by Black preachers. I’m excited to share it with you today. … More Podcast #138 – Two Stones Rolling (Easter Sermon)
One Maundy Thursday, I found myself at a bonfire with neighbors, reflecting on the contrast between church rituals and the neighbors’ gathering. Feeling torn between my identity as a pastor and fitting in, I chose to partake in the communion, finding beauty in their fellowship and realizing the importance of embracing the world as Jesus did. … More Bonfire, Beer & Bourbon on Maundy Thursday
Listen to a special audio presentation of my original story, “Love Cut the Rope: The Tragic Tale of Judas” at the Anchor Podcast available during Holy Week. Purchase a copy of the fully illustrated book for you and for a friend to help support the ongoing ministry of Kingdom Harbor and MainStreet Covenant Church. … More Podcast #136 – Special: Love Cut the Rope: Tragic Tale of Judas
Listen to a special audio presentation of my short story “The Knotty Tale of the Cursed Fig Tree” which I shared at church this past Sunday, and help support our ministry by purchasing a copy for you and a friend. Listen at the Anchor Podcast. … More Podcast #134 – Special: The Cursed Fig Tree
This week’s psalm lands us on the Divine Counselor’s couch, and we pour out our soul in his presence. If you think you’re having a bad day, sit in on the psalmist’s session and count your blessings! Some days we study and learn from Scripture. Other days we curl up in the fetal position and groan along with Scripture. … More On the Divine Therapist’s Couch
Last night was a sweet kind of homecoming for me. I was invited back to speak at the church of my childhood, where I was baptized and confirmed and the early seeds of my faith were sown. I brought my two boys along to show them where it all began for me. Here’s what I shared. … More Goodness & Mercy Follows
The Fifth Sunday in Lent reminds us of the necessity of enduring hardships for growth and maturity, both spiritually and in all aspects of life. Just as a diamond forms under pressure, Jesus’ suffering leads to glorification. We are called to embrace present challenges for future joy, allowing God to shape us into immortal diamonds through adversity. … More Crushed Bones into Spiritual Diamonds
Remember the moment on “Little House on the Prairie” when Mary goes blind? Drawing a parallel with the story in Numbers 21 and emphasizing the importance of looking at God with the eyes of faith, Jeremy urges a deeper, all-senses kind of seeing to live faithfully. … More Blind, Now I See
With historical imagination and pastoral sensitivity, my new short story probes the inner turmoil of one of history’s most tragic figures: Judas Iscariot. What drew him to Jesus? What led to his infamous betrayal? Most importantly, does his death by suicide place him outside of God’s grace or more directly in his embrace? Find out Sunday at 5pm! … More Love Cut the Rope: The Tragic Tale of Judas
Ephesians 2:1-10 expands our understanding of salvation, highlighting the ongoing battle against the unholy trinity. Salvation is not just about forgiveness, but about being raised up with Christ and fulfilling our divine role as rulers over creation. This calls for a deeper engagement with the Church’s role in manifesting God’s kingdom on earth. … More Seated in Heavenly Places
My teacher riffs on one of my favorite Bonhoeffer books – a book that has helped keep me grounded in the fellowship of “cracked eikons” I’m blessed to serve and at the eucharistic table I’m privileged to attend. The third quotation near the bottom is emblazoned on my pastoral soul, my ecclesiological north star. … More Loving the Church That Is (S. McKnight)
This week’s lectionary reflection focuses on Exodus 20:1-17 and Psalm 19, outlining God’s laws and our relationship with them. It discusses different approaches to rules, emphasizing the importance of understanding and following them. Pastor Mike uses the metaphor of car maintenance to illustrate the benefits of adhering to God’s rules and the support they provide during life’s challenges. … More Rules and that New Car Smell
The most important interpretive decision I ever made was to let Jesus be God’s definitive and final Word. He is my north star. He is my hermeneutic. Echoing C. S. Lewis, Jesus guides my reading of Scripture not only because I see Jesus in the text, but because by Jesus I have come to see everything else in a new light. … More Gold, Honey & Jesus
The YouVersion Bible app is great, but it can promote a self-centered approach to faith. The Common Lectionary offers a communal and Christ-focused alternative. By following it and the Church Year Calendar, believers can align their lives with the events of Jesus’ life and engage in shared biblical reflection and worship. … More The Downside of Bible Apps
My new short story tells the story of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27, imagining Paul, a lone Jew on a ship of superstitious pagans, each telling stories from their sacred texts. As the storm outside grows more perilous, and the shipmates begin to panic, Paul remains calm and brings spiritual leadership to these doomed “souls in chains.” … More New Book Debut this Sunday
The Gospel reading for this week gets to the heart of everything. This is it. Choose the scandalous Way of the Cross and be a disciple of Jesus, or keep stamping Jesus’ name on the Ways of the World and be Satan’s sucker. There’s no neutral ground beneath the cross: you’re either mocking or marveling. … More Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?
While we may be foolhardy and fumble footed in our efforts to bear fruit, God wants to step into our weed-infested lives and dilapidated dreams to grow something in us! And if God can make a wrinkly 99 year old on viagra exceedingly fruitful, then imagine what kind of a beautiful garden he can make out of your life? … More Exceedingly Fruitful
This exposition of 1 Peter 3:18-22 emphasizes a spiritual battle between good and evil forces, urging Christians to be aware of this cosmic struggle. It highlights the role of Jesus in overcoming evil and calls for believers to resist being manipulated by worldly powers. The text also stresses the importance of having a clear conscience before God, rather than pursuing selfish desires or political victories. … More An Appeal for a Clear Conscience
The passage in Luke 9:51 marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry as he sets his face toward Jerusalem, ready to fulfill his destiny. This act symbolizes unwavering determination and resolve, likened to a face as hard as flint. Pastor Jeremy encourages readers to follow this example, seeking solid faith and devotion, especially during the Lenten season. … More Face Like Flint For Lent
Our tour bus pulled into the parking lot and joined other groups from around the world. Were we souls on pilgrimage or shoppers on holiday? We were at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized and we could be too – if we could find our way through the gift shops, concession stands, and observation decks to the river below. … More Tour Buses in the Jordan Wilderness
It’s the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, you’re down by 5 with 20 seconds on the clock. Quarterback gathers the team into a huddle to draw up one last play to try to score the game winning touchdown. That’s one fateful huddle to be part of! But I can think of an ever better huddle to eaves drop on. … More A Super Bowl Huddle for the Ages
Jeremy Berg 