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.

My Problem With Grace

November 10, 2011

I was raised Lutheran, and am sort of glad I did somedays.  Lutherans get grace better than most.  For no one was more bothered by their own depravity more than Martin Luther, and no one was more amazed by God’s grace — God’s Redemption Act Covering EVERYTHING — than Luther as well. I like to … More My Problem With Grace

EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)

November 7, 2011

This is a timely repost from 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during a local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You sense my urgency and deep burden for this community.  -JB “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may … More EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)

Pastor 13 – The Cost of Vocational Ministry

November 6, 2011

Today, Will Willimon, in his book “Pastor” quotes his own teacher’s words on the pastorate toward the end of his career training clergy. James E. Dittes speaks of “ministry as grief work”: To be a minister is to know the most searing grief and abandonment, daily and profoundly. To be a minister is to take … More Pastor 13 – The Cost of Vocational Ministry

The Tebow Factor

November 4, 2011

Jen Floyd Engel’s article at FoxSports.com on Tebow is worthy of consideration: What if Tim Tebow were a Muslim? Imagine for a second, the Denver Broncosquarterback is a devout follower of Islam, sincere and principled in his beliefs and thus bowed toward Mecca to celebrate touchdowns. Now imagine if Detroit Lionsplayers Stephen Tulloch and Tony Schefflermockingly bowed toward Mecca, too, after tackling … More The Tebow Factor

Pastor 12 – Ten Rules of Leadership

November 3, 2011

Today Will Willimon, in his book “Pastor”, gives us Anthony Robinson’s helpful list of time-tested wisdom for leadership decision-making.  1. Give responsibility back. When a layperson says, “Somebody ought to be doing this,” as a pastor, you might respond saying, “That sounds like just the thing God may be calling you to do.” 2. Expect … More Pastor 12 – Ten Rules of Leadership

Pastor 11 – Mission & Preaching

October 30, 2011

Another excerpt from Will Willimon’s book “Pastor.”  This time preaching as commissioning.  “Mission begins with commissioning. Therefore, preaching is an essential part of mission. I suppose that we preachers ought to strive, in every sermon, to have some illustration or example whereby ordinary Christian people could sense God’s vocation. Mission begins in the heart of … More Pastor 11 – Mission & Preaching

Parchman Lectures on Evangelicalism by Scot McKnight

October 28, 2011

Scot McKnight recently delivered 4 watershed lectures for many of us misplaced Evangelicals who want to take back the big tent Evangelicalism of the Billy Graham and John Stott era from those trying to narrow down Evangelicalism into their much narrower theological categories.  I’m speaking primarily of the so-called “young, restless Reformed”, the Gospel Coalition, … More Parchman Lectures on Evangelicalism by Scot McKnight

NEHEMIAH 5: Overcoming Verbal Assaults by Faith

October 25, 2011

“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can … More NEHEMIAH 5: Overcoming Verbal Assaults by Faith

NEHEMIAH 4: Gateways Into God’s Presence

October 23, 2011

At first glance, Nehemiah’s rebuilding project of the walls of Jerusalem can seem quite…well…unspiritual. Is it all about brick and mortar?  Is the purpose strictly practical and militaristic?  Are the walls being rebuilt merely to keep the city safe from enemy attack?  I think not. The clue to the deeper motivation behind Nehemiah’s project, and … More NEHEMIAH 4: Gateways Into God’s Presence