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.
MainStreet Covenant wants to partner with our parents and provide resources to help nurture the faith of our children beginning in the home. Beyond our wonderful Sunday school ministry and new Jason’s House gatherings, we are trying to be proactive in offering things like Tech-Wise Sunday, a Grace-Based Parenting Lifegroup series this past fall, giving each family … More Partnering with Parents to Raise Godly Kids
In his ongoing series on American Idols, this week Skye Jethani is taking on the idol of patriotism in his “With God Daily” devotional. This clarion call and challenge has been a key concern of mine. Keeping the church’s identity and witness distinct from national agendas and partisan politics is essential for the mission of the … More America is Not the Chosen (Skye Jethani)
By Skye Jethani | With God Daily Devotional In my previous role as an editor at Christianity Today, I had the opportunity to engage many Christian leaders and to see “behind the curtain” of numerous ministries. Often I came away from these encounters deeply encouraged and grateful. Sometimes I did not. Occasionally, my time with … More Doctrine, Demons & Disciples (Skye Jethani)
Last week we held a Tech-Wise Sunday at MainStreet featuring a message by Andy Crouch based on his book The Tech-Wise Family. You can watch the entire presentation below. The first 60 minutes of the video is Andy’s main talk, and the second half is the panel discussion we enjoyed over lunch. (Thanks to The … More Tech-Wise Family Resources
In this sermon series, we’re exploring how the Cross was not just the way Jesus died, but also the new pattern for how Jesus’ followers are supposed to live. We’re called to not only embrace the CrossEvent, but also learn to walk the CrossRoad. The season of Lent begins with Jesus being tempted by Satan … More CrossRoad 4: Temptations
When the last shovel of dirt is tossed onto my grave and the benediction has been read, I want people to walk to their cars and drive back to the church for cold sandwiches thinking, “He took Jesus at his words, did his best to pursue His Kingdom and live by cross-wisdom — leaving the … More CrossRoad 3: The Foolishness of the Cross
Last night a handful for MainStreeters gathered on Ash Wednesday to watch the movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ.” We all came away amazed at what it cost to be a Christian in first century Rome — that is, often your very life! Better than any Bible film I’ve seen, this one beautifully portrays how the early … More Counting the Cost (Skye Jethani)
Here’s some books I’ve been reading lately (aside from school reading). Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush by Jon Meacham Drawing on President Bush’s personal diaries, on the diaries of his wife, Barbara, and on extraordinary access to the forty-first president and his family, Meacham paints an intimate and surprising … More Books I’ve Been Reading
Last time I opened up a bit about the journey I took to have my thinking reshaped by the cross. Jesus slowly chipped away at some long held convictions and values I had been brought up with. The largest pill to swallow was learning to let Jesus’ strange commands have more sway than the common … More CrossRoad 2: Did the Disciples get it?
Yesterday I began my next doctoral essay. Here’s a sneak peek at the introduction -JB. “If you had sent a letter…there would have been nothing to prevent my seeming to be actually in your company, and enjoying it as though we had been together… But why do you not write?” –St. Basil to Leontis, 364 AD Pastors know … More The Unbearable Silence of Monday
This series of sermons and posts is from my CrossRoad sermon series from Lent 2019. The series emphasized that the cross was not just the way Jesus died, but a new pattern for how to live. Followers of Jesus don’t just celebrate the CrossEvent; we embark on the CrossRoad. Links to other posts in the … More CrossRoad 1: Introduction
One of the most insightful and timely books I have read is Michael Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness. This widely misunderstood document — The Apocalypse of John — was written to encourage Christians living in politically charged times when it was easy to get caught up in the idolatrous influences of a super-empire. Revelation … More Revelation: Theopolitical Worship & Witness
We’re spending the season of Lent in a sermon series called the “CrossRoad.” (Listen here.) In his book The Day the Revolution Began, N. T. Wright reminds us that the cross was more than a momentary transaction to deal with individual sins (though it is also that!). The story is much bigger and deeper. The cross launched a … More The Revolutionary CrossRoad
For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” (2 Cor 10:10) Have you heard of the 10,000 Hour Rule? Associated with popular writer Malcolm Gladwell and his book Outliers, the principle holds that 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice” are needed to become world-class in any … More Only 5,275 Hours to Go!
“I was imbued with the spirit of Paul and I found it transforming,” the British actor shared in an interview. … More James Faulkner & Apostle Paul
“I rest only so long as I am writing to you or reading your letters.” —Cicero, To Atticus 9.4.1 “That which is sweetest when we meet face to face is afforded by the impress of a friend’s hand upon his letter – recognition.” —Seneca, Moral Letters 40.1 I am drawn by some invisible force to “look for … More Ancient Letters Speak Today
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also…“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your … More Scot McKnight on Christian Pacifism
Many of you know Billy Graham was a personal hero of mine. Many of you may not know the story of his grandson, Tullian Tchividjian. He became a very gifted and high-profile pastor with a huge following. Bestselling books, leader of a large church, and a family legacy to bolster (and afflict?) him. He feel … More Stumbling in Grandpa Billy’s Footsteps
On March 10, MainStreet is hosting “Tech-Wise Family” Sunday. Our regular worship service will feature a video presentation by Andy Crouch on his book The Tech-Wise Family. The service will be followed by a luncheon that includes a panel discussion, Q&A and live interaction/discussion with fellow MainStreeters as we share our struggles and offer tips to one … More Tech-Wise Family Sunday – March 10 @ MainStreet
Richard Halverson, the former chaplain of the United States Senate, summarized church history this way: “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it … More The Idol of Celebrity (Skye Jethani)
“What is this babbler trying to say?”(Acts 17:18) “In public he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them” (Mark 4:34). “Let your house be a gathering place for sages; And wallow in the dust of their feet; and drink in their words with … More Preaching or Teaching?
A Sermon preached February 17, 2019 Texts: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Cor. 15:12-20 One of the great privileges of parenting is introducing kids to things for the first time—classic movies, timeless stories, and, my favorite, music legends. Recently, seven year old Peter and I shared a holy moment on the drive home from IKEA … More The Third Tree
Repost from 2018. Happy Valentine’s Day! While many will rely on Hallmark’s card writers to find the perfect words to say “I love you” today, some Christians might reach back to the famous “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 read at many weddings. Yet, the man who wrote these words would probably find it quite … More Your One True Love
I often talk about church as a car repair shop rather than a Sunday trip through a car wash. While the latter may feel nice and give your exterior a little extra shine for a few days, it does not address the ‘engine’ inside that makes us go. At MainStreet we desire to open the … More Epictetus: Soul-Wrenching Work
One of my favorite Christian thinkers and leaders these days is Skye Jethani. I subscribe to his “daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals” called “With God Daily.” I really enjoy it. He’s currently doing a series focusing on a different idol each week. This week has been The Idol of Comfort. I thought I’d … More The Power of Contentment (Skye Jethani)
Kingdom Harbor 