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.
I’m in the process of being sifted these days. Have you been through this painful process? -JB Satan Desires to Sift us Like Wheat by Dick Karman God has warned us about Satan in the Bible. One probably most threatening and graphic passage is 1 Peter 5:8 where God tells us that the devil walks … More Being Sifted (Dick Karman)
“If you want to build a ship, don’t summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work, rather teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery “Church planting is like trying to build a ship while you’re already at sea.” -Unknown
This is from Mark Stevens, who blogs at the Parson’s Patch: Are most Pastors really happy? I read an article recently that listed pastors as the happiest of all workers. It appears being a pastor is the most fulfilling of all vocations. Second on the list were fire-fighters (now that I can understand). Apparently we pastors … More Pastors: The Happy Job?
What do you think of Greg’s approach to churches addressing this issue? If you have time, watch the video, too. Here is a word I a shared this last weekend with Woodland Hills Church (where I’m senior pastor) in response to numerous questions I’ve received over the last several months. People have asked me why … More Greg Boyd on the Marriage Amendment
On the cross, Jesus gets into it with his mother. “Woman, behold thy son,” he says to her. Mary, look at the child you are losing, the son that you are giving over for the sins of the world. Maternal love is that love that loves in order to give away. In Mary’s case, it … More Jesus’ Family Values (by Will Willimon)
*From a recently published article MainStreet Covenant Church will soon open a new center in the Stonegate Plaza in Mound. Hometown Pastor Jeremy Berg is quick to make clear, “This is not a church building; it’s a community gathering place — a cafe, live music venue, book club hub, public meeting space, after school youth … More Church 2.0: A New MainStreet Location for New Impact
I enjoyed this piece by No Longer I. -JB Did you know that the Rabbis view the study of the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament) as the highest form of worship? One early Rabbi said, “When two sit together and exchange words of Torah, then the divine presence dwells among them.” … More The Power of Bible Study Remembered
Check out http://www.electiondaycommunion.com On November 6, 2012, Election Day, we will exercise our right to choose. Some of us will choose to vote for Barack Obama. Some of us will choose to vote for Mitt Romney. Some of us will choose to vote for another candidate. Some of us will choose not to vote. During … More Election Day Communion
[Following the Resurrection] “When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy … More HE IS RISEN!! Now what? (Acts 1:6-12)
Last night was groundbreaking (again) for Mound Westonka youth. Oh, they don’t know it yet. But there is another mustard seed movement afoot. Small, invisible at the moment. MainStreet Church is determined to join God in the power of the Holy Spirit to launch another ‘youth movement’ for Jesus. It’s called The Alley based on … More Revolutionary Teens in Mound
Don’t let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited Until you try to sit in their pews. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Many folks want to serve God, But only as advisers.*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* It is easier to preach ten sermons Than it is to … More Christian One-Liners
Finally, a Bible for lifeguards, surfers, fisherman, heavy drinkers, naval officers, and people prone to spilling their coffee during morning devotions! A photo in need of a caption…..
What do you think of these words? My thoughts follow. Certainly his words apply to some teenagers — namely, privileged kids who grew up like me, blessed with an intact family and an actual yard to mow who waste their lives away. But that’s not the family background that many troubled youth who stand in … More Teenagers need more than words
The article below by Lindy Lowly called The Church’s Sleeping Giant aptly captures the missional philosophy driving the vision and approach of MainStreet. This is why we exist – short and simple. Most church-goers simply don’t understand how our approach is different than the standard “come to us” model of church. I hope this article … More The Big Idea Behind MainStreet Church
Enjoy this growing collage of news headlines from our past years of local ministry in Mound. I’m very proud of these articles — not because I want my own name lifted up but because far too many churches are irrelevant to the broader community today. MainStreet’s burning passion is to bring the life-transforming message and … More Making Local Headlines for Jesus
Tim was an outspoken atheist who vowed he would “never go into a church again.” But he became a regular participant at our live, local teen music spotlights in Mound during his last two years of high school. Many good conversations about faith and life grew out of our interactions at these music events. Kim … More A Church in the Marketplace
Thanks, David, for passing this on to me. Enjoy. -JB In reflecting on the process of making disciples that I’m learning to practice, I’ve realized that it involves a real death to self for the leader at every stage along the way. As Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains … More You Have to Die to Make Disciples (by Ben Sternke)
Mound graduate, Anthony Faulk, along with friends and family organized a prayer vigil for the Colorado shooting victims. I was alerted to the event and was able to attend. Fox 9 News and Kare 11 News showed up to cover the event. Fox reported: A candlelight memorial service honoring the victims of the Aurora, Colo., … More Mound Prayer Vigil for CO Victims
Some 200+ people representing many Mound area churches gathered at Surfside Park & Beach to celebrate the past 100 years of Mound’s history. Worship was led by the Freshwater Church band along with Bridget Larsen, a Mound alum and singer/songwriter, who flew back home from the East Coast to share her musical gifts. Clergy and other … More Mound: On the shore of ‘God’s Recreational Waters’
“To read the Bible properly is to find it an altar where one meets the living God . . .” -Evangelical Covenant Church Paper
I recently wrote an article highlighting the spiritual legacy of the City of Mound and each local church’s story of origins. This past week our local newspaper The Laker published a small, edited fragment of my article but left out all the fascinating history and the story of each church’s beginnings — the main purpose of my … More The Full Story
After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a … More Crossing Jordan 2 – Following God & His Leaders
“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp giving orders to the people” (Josh. 3:1-2). MainStreet Church is standing on the bank of the Jordan these days and gazing across at the Promised Land of … More Crossing Jordan 1 – Camping by the River
Kingdom Harbor 