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.

Dirty Laundry 5: Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve

July 14, 2014

Whether we like it or not, our clothes make a statement.  Uniforms identify us with a particular team, business, or school.  Our attire often pigeonholes us by profession.  The white-collar, blue-collar distinction is still readily acknowledged.  More superficially, in school brand name shoppers are given more respect, while secondhand thrift shoppers are seen as “not … More Dirty Laundry 5: Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Dirty Laundry 4: Superheroes & Phone Booths

July 10, 2014

For some, the entire idea of clothing one’s self with an alter ego, taking on a new persona empowered to accomplish awesome things, sounds like mere fantasy.  It sounds just like our favorite comic book superheroes. Clark Kent goes into a phone booth and, seconds later, comes out Superman.  Diana spins around in circles to … More Dirty Laundry 4: Superheroes & Phone Booths

How God Measures Success: Effectiveness or Faithfulness?

July 9, 2014

Reposted from April 2011 and worth repeating…daily. -JB I often get asked, “How is the church plant doing?  Are you succeeding?”  That moment you must decide which measuring rod you’re going to use for gauging progress or failure.  I decided years ago that success in the Christian walk is measured by our FAITHFULNESS and not any sort … More How God Measures Success: Effectiveness or Faithfulness?

Dirty Laundry 3: New Clothes for a New Day

July 7, 2014

Everyday we get up and put on new clothes.  Yesterday’s apparel is dirty, wrinkled and smelly from yesterday’s work.  Today is a new day, and should begin with clean, fresh smelling clothes.  Yesterday’s attire may be spotted with embarrassing coffee or ketchup stains.  Old pants get holes in awkward places.  Dress shirts get “ring around … More Dirty Laundry 3: New Clothes for a New Day

Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers

July 4, 2014

Have you seen this recent piece of art making the rounds?  It’s called “One Nation Under God.” As you can see, Jesus is front and center holding the U.S. Constitution which, according to this artist, was “inspired by God.” Greg Boyd took this artist’s message to task on his blog, saying among other things: “Artistically … More Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers

Like a Unicorn at a Balloon Popping Party (or The Joy of Teaching)

June 28, 2014

  As my 35th birthday approaches, I’m looking back through some old journal entries. In my mid-twenties I had one big aspiration for my life: to put my knowledge to good use by becoming a teacher/college professor. The problem was I had no clue how to teach, and learning and teaching are too very different things. I … More Like a Unicorn at a Balloon Popping Party (or The Joy of Teaching)

God’s Economy: Give Him What You Have (Mk 6:35-44)

June 27, 2014

I recently was invited to attend another church’s leadership council meeting to present the needs of MainStreet as we move into the next phase of launching this new church. These dear “mission friends”  have embraced our little MainStreet team with a big bear hug, reaching into their pockets to support us, letting us use their … More God’s Economy: Give Him What You Have (Mk 6:35-44)

One Chirp at a Time: Flight from Self-Absorption

June 20, 2014

A Daily Illumination classic from 2006. -JB I heard a bird chirping today. I actually stopped for a brief moment and listened. It was a good sound, and a good sign. Sign of what? A sign, I believe, of freedom. Yes, freedom from self-absorption. Our cell-phone society confines our internet identities to the rat mazes … More One Chirp at a Time: Flight from Self-Absorption

Creating a Culture of Generosity (Sheppard & Johnson)

June 16, 2014

5 Steps to Creating a Culture of Generosity Plant and water the seeds—and trust God for the increase. By Jim Sheppard & Patrick Johnson Churches may be taking a hit from the economy, but there is still much that can be done to generate a culture of generosity. Here are five specific field-tested ideas (in … More Creating a Culture of Generosity (Sheppard & Johnson)