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.
Like many people, I have been tuning into the History Channel on Sunday nights for The Bible Miniseries. The first two parts have brought us up to the time of Solomon. While I have enjoyed this rather faithful telling, I have also been reminded of just how violent and barbarous the OT can be, and … More The Violence of God in the OT
“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So I won’t try to describe the product of the past seven years of ministry, prayer, obedience to God, relentlessly chasing after a God-given vision and holding fast to a dream for … More Grand Opening Update: “The LORD has done this…”
This is a powerful indictment on the contemporary church and our superficial level of commitment to the cause of being part of community-on-mission to reach our world. I’m praying that true communitas — a deeper togetherness formed around a shared mission or struggle — will characterized MainStreet in the days to come. Here’s Paul De Neui’s conclusion … More Communitas in the Church
“There is a story by Kukrit Pramoj, former prime minister and leading Buddhist scholar from Thailand, based on the New Testament account of a man born blind whom he called Simon. The story describes the difficult life of blind young Simon and how, upon the death of his father, life became desperate. Simon began to … More Living into the Missio Dei (by Paul DeNeui)
Read many more MS Stories here.
“What must our Lord think of us if His work and His witness depend upon the convenience of His people? The truth is that every advance that we make for God and for His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it! … More QUOTABLES: A.W. Tozer on Leadership
Repost from 2009. -JB I just watched “Stranger Than Fiction” again starring Will Ferrell. I thought the movie and story was alright – nothing too special. But I absolutely LOVE the idea that drives this movie. If you haven’t seen the movie, here is the summary from the back of the case: Will Ferrell stars … More MOVIE REVIEW: “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006)
I’m preparing a message on the stoning of Stephen this Sunday. Here’s something to ponder from William Willimon in his commentary on Acts: Stanley Hauerwas has written about the mass suicide at “Jonestown” when hundreds of followers of Jim Jones and his “People’s Temple” took their lives and the lives of their children (p. 106). … More A Faith Worth Living & Dying For?
Let the Lord judge the peoples.Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. My shield is God MostHigh, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge…. (Psalm 7) This is one prayer of David … More PSALM 7 – When Not to Pray Like David
The annual call for exercise has been issued. The new year sales flyers feature equipment of all kinds that will reduce our middle and tone our muscles. The “Y”, Snap Fitness and other workout businesses are offering their “first month free” deals. News shows are featuring the latest home workout gadgets and dietitians galore are … More Obese in Body, Mind and Spirit (by David Brown)
What adjectives do many associate with the word ‘church’ or ‘faith’? Solemn, holy, boring, stained glass, choir, pew, robe, potluck, etc. Reading (and trying to preach) through the Book of Acts paints a far more exciting scene. Just skimming through the first 4 chapters we read the following adjectives and phrases that paint anything but … More Wonder and Amazement in Acts
Blessed is the one….whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law morning and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1) Happy New Year. I’m a wreck! Never have I began a new … More Planted by the Stream (Psalm 1)
A repost from a few years back in remembrance of Michael Clark Duncan’s passing this year. -JB It’s already been 10 years since the release of The Green Mile (1999). The Stephen King film stars Tom Hanks as a Death row guard and the massively large and mysteriously gifted prisoner named John Coffey played by Michael … More MOVIE REVIEW: Jesus Went “The Green Mile”
The gentleman who drew this is Joe Castillo. He went to Asbury Theological Seminary.He did this during a chapel service. It was fascinating – he told the Gospel story – each part of Jesus’ life – and he was drawing the story as he told it.The longer you look at this picture, the more you … More ‘Facing’ the Christmas Story
From Michael Patton at Parchment and Pen: “The traditional date for the birth of Christ from as early as Hippolytus (ca. A.D. 165-235) has been December 25th. In the Eastern Church January 6th was the date for not only Christ’s birth, but also the arrival of the Magi on Christ’s second birthday, His baptism in … More When is Jesus’ Birthday?
“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough … More QUOTABLES: G.K. Chesterton on “Exulting in Monotony”
“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” -JESUS Each of the last four days there have been news accounts of a few more funerals held for the killed children from Newtown, CT. It is hard to watch those stories as the short lives of 6 year … More Advent 2012 – Come to Me (by David Brown)
Dear Jesus, It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons … More A Christmas Prayer (by Max Lucado)
Here’s a Christmas poem I wrote back in 2003. -JB WHEN HOLINESS CAME DOWN Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright But was it really? There must have been some serious noise in the Heavenlies as demons shrieked and Satan yelled seeing imminent his utter defeat. Holy perhaps was the night before … More When Holiness Came Down
One last peek into my soul as a young adult, as I wrestled with depression and poured out my heart to God. The beauty of the Bible is that we see the raw, honest prayers of others in the Psalms and so on. We all struggle in this life, but the beauty of these painful … More Echoes from the Pit 3 – Unwanted Visitors
Peace that passes all understanding to you, today. Another shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut this morning. While it wasn’t their school, I shudder at the thought of my daughter-in-law and 5 year old grandson having to deal with the aftermath of something that horrific. One of my best friend’s 17 year old step … More Advent 2012 – Peace in the Pain (by David Brown)
Kingdom Harbor 