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.
“A time is coming when those you now treat as enemies and slaves will show you nothing but love in return, when those who you curse with indifference will offer you blessing. When you slap these people on the right cheek, be prepared, for they will turn their left cheek toward you. When you steal … More QUOTABLES: Sermon on the Mount in Reverse
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:22-23). I live in a lake community surrounded by water. One large part of our town dwells on “the island” where you’ll … More EPHESIANS 9: Water Towers & Pipelines
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31) Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer in order for our sins … More Why must He suffer for our sins?
No issue is as timely for serious and sensitive biblical and pastoral reflection than the question of a biblical view of homosexuality. I will be teaching on this issue with our youth group in our study of Romans 1 and have taken this opportunity to re-examine the complexities surrounding this hot-button issue facing Christians today. … More The Sexual Vision of the Bible (R. Hays)
A repost from 2009. -JB I had two very nice Jehovah’s Witness gals show up at my door this morning. I never quite know how to handle these encounters. I think these encounters are especially awkward for pastors/Bible teachers who are equipped to engage them in theological debate but don’t feel like that is the context … More Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Door
The following Lenten reflections come from a chapter entitled “Garbage Day” from an unpublished devotional book of mine exploring the deeper realities of faith through the daily routines of life (read more about my “Sacred Analogies”). This chapter explores the reality of the spiritual garbage (i.e., sin) in our souls and why we need to … More GARBAGE DAY 1 – Got Junk?
It’s time for my annual non-conformist post on lawn care. Several months back I shared my thoughts on “Why we rake and shovel.” Today I want to raise the topic of those beautiful yellow “flowers” that are so willing to decorate our yards if we’ll only allow them safe refuge. Yes, let’s talk about dandelions. … More Dandelions: What would Jesus Do?
Summary: This long series of about 30 posts narrates Jeremy’s own spiritual journey from 2000-2007 exploring his radical transformation in college, vocational doubts in seminary, a long season of “tent-making” jobs in Mound, and the God-encounters that led Jeremy to plant a new, apostolic youth ministry — The Revolution — reaching teens for Christ in … More Divine Summons: A Spiritual Memoir 1
LENTEN REFLECTION SERIES The ancient Christian season of Lent is a 40-day journey leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Christians have observed this 40-day season through intentional self-examination and repentance, demonstrated by self-denial and fasting. I would like to spend this Lent by a series of reflections on the theme of sin … More When to Use the “S” Word
Covenant Pastor Eugene Cho has a potent reminder for Lent: We are now in the Lenten season and let me begin by sharing outright that Lent isn’t about you or about what you’re giving up. But we’ll get to that soon. For those that might not be familiar with Lent, it is the 40 day period (not … More What are you giving up for Lent? (Eugene Cho)
In the “Alarm Clock” series Jeremy offers some spiritual lessons and biblical insights from the all-too-familiar process of waking up. This excerpt is called “Christmas Gifts & Final Exams.” Enjoy! Six-o-clock. The alarm has sounded. The sun is peeking through the half-raised shade, piercing your squinting eyes as you roll over to hit the snooze bar for … More Alarm Clock: Reflections on Spiritual Awakening
“Actions into Place” by Danny Evans This new year leave the fear behind that is normally in your mind. It’s time start anew. Let this ring true. Let those thoughts go, for this is your opportunity to bless others and grow. Make amends to all. Break down that wall, but remember, this is all your … More A New Year’s Poem
“Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans Let us move toward The Lord as a reward this season as we choose to address our brothers by blessing our brothers. This time we dare to prepare for the birth of Maker of the earth. It’s a season we make the choice to hear His still, small voice. … More “Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans
“I am the LORD’s servant,” Mary answered. “Be it unto me as you will” (Luke 1:38). “Nothing impresses us more than the calmness with which, after the first trouble was past, the virgin received the message of the angel. She was not dazzled nor excited by her glorious future. She was not touched by any … More QUOTABLES: The Boldest Words Ever Uttered (Stopford Brooke)
The Book of Wisdom and Romans remind us that the awesome power of idolatry is found above all in its ability to shape the structures of society so that they suppress the possibility of perceiving the world in any way other than idolatrously. It is idolatry when much of the world is constructed on the … More QUOTABLES: The Subtle Power of Societal Idolatry
“With Care” by Danny Evans This Christmas season, let us not commit holiday treason by excluding anyone from celebrating the real reason. It doesn’t matter how long someone has known God; give everyone the nod. Some people will enter under a steeple for the first time this December, so give them Him to remember. While … More “With Care” by Danny Evans
“Glee” by Danny Evans This time comes but once a year, but let me make it clear that everyday we should hold the real meaning dear. This is the time of Jesus’ birth, who would give us worth here on this earth. It’s okay to give gifts, but let us not drift from what it … More Glee by Danny Evans
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
Here’s an old DI classic from the winter of ’06. Enjoy! Most of us can remember sharing those childhood adventures exploring secret passages and hidden closets in the home of a friend or relative. It was always the closets tucked under the stairs that seemed the most mysterious to me. At five years of age, … More Jacob and the Wardrobe
“I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her vulnerable self.” In the Name of Jesus, Henri Nouwen
We all come from a diverse background. Some may be sound. Others may be a roller coaster of lost and found. No matter where we originate, where we choose to navigate despite this will say a lot about our future state. Good or bad, your past is gone. Let’s leave a legacy in which the … More Legacy (by Danny Evans)
Originally posted October 2009. -JB The following paragraphs are taken from CNN.com. This issue is not going away and the slide toward the normativity of sexual promiscuity is only growing steeper by the day. How can Christ-followers show the world the beauty of God’s design for monogamous sexual fidelity? Here’s the message the pop … More CNN: “Is Monogamy Realistic?”
Personal Journal Entry — October 7, 2014 I’ve had a profound and illuminating two nights away at my dad’s cabin in Starbuck, MN. I can hardly put into the words all of the insights and energizing thought-time I’ve had. I have spent another reassuring retreat with the pastoral teaching and wisdom of Eugene Peterson. (Three years … More Starry Night on the Prairie (10.7.14)
I recently preached a message from Psalm 126 which mentions “going out weeping” and “sowing in tears.” I used that message to encourage those of us who may be battling depression or facing difficult times to keep on “sowing” and “planting” even when you don’t feel like it, or when you don’t see immediate results. … More Sowing in Tears
Journal Entry – October 7, 2014 I spent a couple nights at dad’s cabin in Starbuck for some spiritual reflection and rest. What a gift — having a place to retreat to built with the sweat and love of your own dad! This cabin is not so much a getting away from home as it … More Little Thoughts on the Prairie (10.7.14)
Kingdom Harbor 