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.

Cross-Shaped Discipleship in a Comfort-Shaped Culture

February 15, 2012

This is from back in 2012 a few weeks after officially launching weekly worship at MainStreet. Note the sense of urgency in my tone. Have we lost that desperation? -JB 2017 How many of us really take Jesus’ words seriously?  I don’t mean picking and choosing the teachings we can tolerate.  I mean ALL of … More Cross-Shaped Discipleship in a Comfort-Shaped Culture

QUOTABLES: On Making Disciples

February 13, 2012

“Let’s face reality: There are no programmatic shortcuts to effective disciplemaking. There is no “easy button”. Disciplemaking is about relationships. Relationships are inefficient. Disciplemaking is about life change. Life change is messy. Disciplemaking is centered in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ allows no pretense. Disciplemaking is unpredictable. Unpredictability requires risk. Disciplemaking is unique … More QUOTABLES: On Making Disciples

EPHESIANS 8: Jesus our Head and Body (1:22-23)

February 8, 2012

“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). Paul pushes hard here. First, who leads your church?  Whose agenda always seems to get passed?  Pastor?  Key elders? Prominent, influential … More EPHESIANS 8: Jesus our Head and Body (1:22-23)

EPHESIANS 7: Death Defying Power (1:18-21)

February 7, 2012

I pray that….you may know….his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only … More EPHESIANS 7: Death Defying Power (1:18-21)

A Church Is Born!

January 16, 2012

After a full two years since Keri and I began this church planting journey with God, we celebrated the official launch, or Grand Opening, of MainStreet Covenant Church this Sunday at The Gillespie Center. What a joyful, energetic, Spirit-filled celebration it was. We had 180 people attend, and had to use the overflow parking lot … More A Church Is Born!

Rekindling the Legacy of E.A. Skogsbergh on Lake Minnetonka

January 9, 2012

That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for … More Rekindling the Legacy of E.A. Skogsbergh on Lake Minnetonka

Podcast Pastors

December 30, 2011

Found this at Jesus Creed.  I think this is an important topic needing to be addressed. From Trevin Wax’s post as reported at CP: There’s a dangerous trend among Christians today, according to one Christian: Podcast sermons are increasingly replacing real pastorship. “What is dangerous is not listening to podcasts, but thinking that pastoring and shepherding is … More Podcast Pastors

Cremation vs. Burial: A Worldview Case Study

December 28, 2011

I heard a commercial on the radio this morning for The Cremation Society. It said something like only 4% chose cremation back in 1960, increasing slightly to about 8% in 1980. Then they proudly announced that today over 50% are choosing cremation over traditional burial! So, what? What’s the big deal? Does it matter one … More Cremation vs. Burial: A Worldview Case Study

Appreciating Rob Bell: On the Occasion of His Final Sunday at Mars Hill

December 20, 2011

Rob Bell’s final Sunday at the church he founded has now come and gone. I am looking forward to listening to his final words to his beloved Mars Hill on my drive home today. I should take a moment to share some of my own appreciations for Rob’s ministry that has been so influential to … More Appreciating Rob Bell: On the Occasion of His Final Sunday at Mars Hill