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.
“In those days there were giants in the land” (Gen. 6:4) and in the early 90s there were giant clay footed leaders spilling the wine of the kingdom all over Robbinsdale high school gymnasium. Last night I felt like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, hanging with Elijah, Moses and Jesus in a cloud of sacred storytelling. … More Hangin’ with Elijah, Moses, & Jesus
The rebranding continues here at Kingdom Harbor, and in keeping with our new theme, I want to introduce today The Anchor Podcast. … More NEW: The Anchor Podcast
Deep down we know, and God knows, that we need CONCRETE examples we can see, real flesh-and-blood role models who embody Christ’s teachings and values. Elijah and Elisha invite us to explore the waters of mentorship. … More Waters of Mentorship
Fundamentalists passionately defend their narrow grasp of 1% of reality, while more adventurous learners scratch their heads and wonder why they don’t want to explore the other 99% together. … More Himalayas & Lily Pads: On Fundamentalism
Wise politics are incarnational. World-based politics is inherently divisive. It creates an us-against-them mentality. The very idea of a political party breeds separation. A gospel ethic goes to those with whom they disagree and sacrifices for their well-being. … More Wise Politics
Music has been and can continue to be a powerful tool in the transmission of wisdom. Like no other mode of communication, music has the power to transcend the spoken word and relate what is being said to the emotional and spiritual self in addition to the rational self. … More Wise Music
Another excerpt from my manuscript Spirit on the Water. This chapter explores crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, throwing off an identity as slaves and a “scarcity mindset,” and embracing our new identity as children of God and an “abundance mindset.” … More Waters of Inheritance
Wisdom in general can be defined as “life within limits” and that is true of material possessions as well. The Bible presents another sort of Goldilocks situation when it comes to money—both riches and poverty pose spiritual dangers. But there is a wealth target that is just right. … More Wise Church Economies
For the past 12 years I have called my blog Daily Illumination. I am expanding and broadening my online ministry platform, and today would like to introduce a new theme I am trying out. Introducing “Kingdom Harbor.” … More Welcome to Kingdom Harbor!
The fact that I as an Evangelical pastor cannot advocate for social or racial justice with the Bible in one hand and the example of Jesus in the other without being labeled a woke liberal or cultural Marxist should reveal the extent of the deep sickness that has taken root in many Evangelical circles. … More Reparations & Racial Justice
We should strive to be both as politically conservative as Jesus would have us be, and as woke to the kingdom’s socio-political values as he would dare us to be. Christians need to stand firm on a ‘Make the Church Look Like Jesus Again’ platform, and God-willing be clothed with actions that embody the Red Letters of Jesus. … More Waters of Liberation
We live in a consultant and coach crazy world. There is an expert on every corner offering to help you for a small fee. Peter and Paul want to be your gospel coaches, free of charge, but sadly very few will take them up on their offer. … More Wise Gospeling
I’m excited to share a series of chapter summaries by my fellow doctoral graduates from the book we published together called Wise Church: Forming A Wisdom Culture in Your Local Church. Today’s chapter is “What is Wisdom?” … More What Is Wisdom?
“The problem is, many of the people in need of saving are in churches, and at least part of what they need saving from is the idea that God sees the world the same way they do.” -BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR … More Quotables: Barbara Brown Taylor
Have you considered how strange it is how many soon-to-be parents decorate their nursery with wallpaper depicting sanitized scenes from a global catastrophe that claimed countless lives? We would hardly place our baby in a Hiroshima themed nursery surrounded by images of mushroom clouds in a crib with a mobile of little gas masks going round and round to put junior to sleep. … More Waters of Wrath
I kicked off the series with the first Bible verse that actively snuck into my daily life, and senior yearbook photo caption! While my good buddy pledged his undying love to his high school sweetheart that wouldn’t last, I gave a shout out to God and stumbled onto a verse that would have lasting impact! … More New Podcast Series: “LifeVerses”
The Spirit is on the water, and the waters of chaos are no match for Him. God hovers over it all with a gracious gaze and readiness to partner with us in pushing back all the crud of life on this spinning ball of organized chaos we call Earth. … More Waters of Creation
“We’re living in this moment where we think of pastors as these guys or gals leading religious organizations, preaching on a Sunday for one-hour, but for most of history they’ve been spiritual guides walking with people in a more personal way.” … More MainStreet in the News
From a piece for the local newspaper While the pandemic was bringing many churches to a screeching halt, MainStreet Covenant Church was on the move in 2020—to the lake! MainStreet has moved their ministry to the shores of Lake Minnetonka at St. Martins By the Lake Church in Minnetonka Beach after 7 years in their … More MainStreet: “Gone to the Lake”
George Packer’s recent article in The Atlantic called, “How America Fractured into 4 Parts,” argues that Americans no longer agree on the country’s purpose, values, history, or meaning. Is he right? And how do Packer’s 4 Americas map onto the church? … More Four Americas Walk Into A Bar
Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching, listening to lately for anyone interested. What’s on your summer reading list? … More What I’ve Been Reading, Watching, Listening to Lately
Keri and my oldest son, Peter, planted a garden this summer. Unfortunately, our garden is 500 feet away from our water spigot! By the time the water travels all that distance, it has lost most of its pressure. … More Water Buckets & Extension Hoses
My Father’s Day highlight was performing “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” by Owl City with my son and for my dad in the fourth row. :) … More Father’s Day Duet
What sets good dads apart from the rest is that, while flawed and always falling short, they keep showing up and giving their best. Even on the bad days, when they’re empty and feel like they have nothing left in the tank to give, they show up anyways. … More Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Father’s Day)
If people could open up my mind and peek into my thought-world, they’d find an amusement park full of wild ideas rising and falling like rollercoasters, a hyper-colored circus full of spiritual insights roaming like elephants a under the big tent, and outside the box ministry visions shooting across my mind like clowns out of a cannon. … More A Mustard Seed Future For the Church
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