Apostle Paul at Starbucks
November 15, 2019
You know you’ve successfully launched a social revolution when even non-coffee drinkers like me are regularly heard saying, “Hey, wanna grab coffee this week?” … More Apostle Paul at Starbucks
Author: Jeremy Berg
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.
WOW – Parker Palmer on the Soul
November 14, 2019
Today’s Words Of Wisdom (WOW) are from Parker J. Palmer. I’m currently reading his book Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life (2004). “Like a wild animal, the soul is tough, resilient, resourceful, savvy, and self-sufficient: it knows how to survive in hard places. I learned about these qualities during my bouts with depression. In … More WOW – Parker Palmer on the Soul
Pastoral Letters in a Digital Age – Part 1
November 14, 2019
Instead of flinging a relatively impersonal sermon out over a nameless crowd each Sunday, a personal letter to the right person at the right time can fling a shepherd’s arms around wounded or wandering sheep, refreshing their soul. … More Pastoral Letters in a Digital Age – Part 1
The Writing is on the Wall
November 13, 2019
While other Jewish teachers were content to spend their time teaching in the synagogue, here is Paul sipping coffee at the ancient equivalent of a Starbucks in the ancient equivalent of Time Square in the ancient equivalent of New York City. … More The Writing is on the Wall
Enneagram: Core Weakness
November 13, 2019
From Your Enneagram Coach: Let’s dive into Core Weakness or the issue that each Type struggles within everyday situations and interactions with others. Each Type has something that they are always wrestling with, an Achilles’ heel that remains with them for all their days on Earth. This is like the “thorn in my flesh” Paul … More Enneagram: Core Weakness
We’re Not In Mayberry Anymore
November 12, 2019
While most churches are trying to attract people to their Sunday services, where are the churches finding new ways to engage spiritual seekers where they are? … More We’re Not In Mayberry Anymore
Thoughts on Kanye’s Christian Faith
November 12, 2019
We don’t know how Kanye’s story will end, but we do know that the call of every follower of Jesus is to let love flow out toward every soul-in-process. … More Thoughts on Kanye’s Christian Faith
Enneagram: Core Desire
November 11, 2019
From Your Enneagram Coach: Today, we’ll take a look at Core Desire, identifying what each Type is constantly striving for, believing it will bring complete fulfillment. The way we each think, feel and behave are rooted in satisfying our Core Desire, and we become hurt, sad, frustrated, or angry when we can’t obtain it.⠀
Mission Begins with a Broken Heart
November 10, 2019
Twenty-first century America is rampant with every conceivable form of idolatry and ripe for a kingdom harvest. But ‘motive’ is monumental for every missional endeavor. Paul shows us that all ministry should begin with a broken heart.
WOW – Augustine
November 9, 2019
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” -Saint Augustine … More WOW – Augustine
Enneagram: Core Fears
November 8, 2019
We have been exploring the Enneagram personality typing system this fall at MainStreet. This powerful tool is helping us grow in self-awareness and compassion for others who perceive and experience the world in ways far different from us. For those who want to go deeper, or for those out there who want to jump in … More Enneagram: Core Fears
Job’s Digital Footprint
November 6, 2019
On Facebook and Instagram, we’re voluntarily inscribing the details of our lives in a book for the whole world to read. We’re leaving digital footprints in the social media sand that will someday, when we’re gone, reveal a lot about who we were and the kind of life we led. … More Job’s Digital Footprint
WOW – Confucius
November 6, 2019
This week’s Words of Wisdom (WOW) come from ca. 500 BC. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” -CONFUCIUS, Chinese philosopher
Bread on the Waters
November 5, 2019
A sermon I gave at a beachside service this summer as we prepared to receive holy communion. “Cast your bread upon the waters and you will get it back in a few days. Divide your means seven ways, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2) The traditional … More Bread on the Waters
Poem for a New Beginning
November 3, 2019
In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on, Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. … More Poem for a New Beginning
The Journey Home
November 1, 2019
Wise people have observed that we spend the first half of life living out the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14–30), investing our time, talent and treasures in hopes of yielding a satisfying return that benefits ourselves and the greater good. This is largely an outward project of the Ego, as we try to prove … More The Journey Home
Pastors as Spiritual Guides
October 31, 2019
This is the final post in a 4 part series. Read part 1, part 2, and part 3. I’m writing this from a monastery where I am diving deeper into the writings of the ancient Desert Fathers and later mystics and spiritual masters such as Saint John of the Cross, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. … More Pastors as Spiritual Guides
WOW – Marcus Aurelius
October 30, 2019
I want to begin a new Wednesday tradition called “WOW.” Each Wednesday I will try to share some timeless “Words of Wisdom” (WOW) from across the centuries and various traditions. Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) – Roman Emperor & Stoic philosopher “First thing every morning tell yourself: today I am going to meet a busybody, an … More WOW – Marcus Aurelius
Pastor: Shepherd or CEO?
October 30, 2019
Modern day pastors have been all too willing to accept the role of a CEO running the church like a business, serving more as a visionary leader than a shepherd of souls. We’ve served the bottomline more than the “least of these.” Board rooms and whiteboards have replaced prayer chapels and the pastor’s study. More pastors … More Pastor: Shepherd or CEO?
2020 Vision Sunday
October 29, 2019
What an amazing privilege to lead a community where lives are being impacted! Just came across this video from a while back and wonder what new “impact stories” we’ll be sharing in the near future. Been thinking about checking out MainStreet sometime? This Sunday, November 3, is 2020 Vision Sunday. Come worship with us at … More 2020 Vision Sunday
A New Vantage Point
October 29, 2019
As a 6′-7″ tall dude, I’ve had a hard time relating to Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” who couldn’t see Jesus because of the crowd. In a crowd of people, I am the “tree” that many are trying to see around! … More A New Vantage Point
From Big Box to Big Souls
October 29, 2019
The big box “church-as-business” model that arose in the last quarter of the 20th century was a complete (and short-lived) anomaly in the long 2,000 year history of Christian ministry. It rode the wave of American-styled capitalism and is grounded in the values of American consumerism and market driven strategies — not the New Testament … More From Big Box to Big Souls
Reclaiming the Pastoral Vocation
October 28, 2019
Over three decades ago, my late hero and Protestant “Saint” (if Presbyterians canonized people) Eugene Peterson wrote the following in the opening paragraphs to his book on pastoral ministry called Working the Angles (1987): “American pastors are abandoning their post, left and right, and at an alarming rate. They are not leaving their churches and getting … More Reclaiming the Pastoral Vocation
One Body, Many Ethnic Parts
October 26, 2019
Anyone interested in a sample of my academic work, here’s a full essay on race and ethnicity in the ancient world and today. (I shared a few sections a few weeks back.) Dr. Dennis Edwards said of it, “This is great, dare I say prophetic!” Unfortunately, the formatting and footnotes did not transfer to the … More One Body, Many Ethnic Parts
WOW – Aristotle, Asimov & Paul
October 26, 2019
“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” ― Isaac Asimov “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” ― Aristotle “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.”―St. Paul
Kingdom Harbor 