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.
Here is one of the highest points of Jesus’ radical teaching on Christian character and lifestyle. I led a Bible study on this last night, and wanted to share some notes and quotes largely taken from Barclay’s Daily Bible Study Series. Enjoy. Eye for Eye 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for … More Non-Retaliation & Radical Love (Matt 5:38-48)
I’m reposting this DI classic series of posts from a few years ago. Enjoy! As a youth pastor I face a room full of teenagers every Wednesday and try my best to teach them how to travel faithfully the road of Christian discipleship. For the past month, each Tuesday and Thursday evenings have afforded me the … More STUDENT DRIVER 1: This is Not a Game
There is a lady at work who has a way with words. She has the unique talent of making everything she says seem like an accusation or a put-down. She is aggressive and often is involved in other people’s business. Most of my interactions with her are unpleasant. The big question for me is, “what … More Difficult People (by Mike Fox)
This video to our Launch Team gives a little update on the transition we’re about to make from gathering a core team to preparing to “go more public” with Sunday services in the fall. Enjoy!
She walked into my life. And its been nothing but fun, giggles and adventure ever since! Here’s an old photo from one of our first birthdays together. And another tribute to Keri written in her special love language — cereal. :)
After spending the first half of the weekend with my father, I woke up Sunday morning to waffle breakfast prepared by Keri for me on my first Father’s Day. Then we headed north to Mora to see Keri’s dad on Father’s day. So, just to come clean, as we were heading north on 169 we … More Oh, Deer! It’s Father’s Day!
“My dad can do anything.” That’s how all little boys should view their daddies. Eventually, you grow up and realize quickly just how human dad really is. Well, as I approach my 32nd birthday and prepare to become a dad myself in a few weeks, I felt like a toddler again this weekend standing in … More Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
I posted this a couple years ago — I love this clip. Plus, just heard it used as a sermon illustration by Greg Boyd talking about how different Paul’s “attitude of gratitude” was despited being locked in a prison and facing many other hardships. A good reminder for us all. We have much to be … More VIDEO: Everything is Great but Nobody is Happy
This is a link to one of my all-time favorite resources: Hours of Q & A with Pastor Greg Boyd and Professor Paul Eddy of Woodland Hills Church on all things theological and biblical. Q & A themes include New Age Spirituality, Imaginative Prayer, Letters from a Skeptic Book, The DaVinci Code debate, and recently … More Theological Brain Buzz – Q & A Resources
Q: Why is the Bible so strict on prohibiting pre-marital sex? What’s the big deal? Pastor Greg Boyd sheds some light on the Bible’s perspective on this sacredness of sex and marriage: Today in western culture people tend to have a rather “recreational” view of sex. It’s just a pleasurable physical activity we engage in. … More Q&A – What’s the Big deal about Sex?
By Amy Frykholm, at Christian Century (found at Jesus Creed): One thing is clear: a church shouldn’t measure the effectiveness of its ministries solely by counting members. “Let’s say that JoAnn has joined a committee. Great. I can measure that,” said Mueller. “But let’s say that Mark is living his baptism in committed ways in his daily … More Church Membership in a Consumer Culture
Can you articulate the main plot of the entire Old Testament story? What’s the overarching big story of which the smaller episodes are a part? Here’s my attempt to capture the essence of the OT story with key moments/themes in BOLD. The Creation story presents a picture of humanity initially living in proper relationship with … More Old Testament Overview: A Story in Search of a Conclusion
Here’s another reflection from Pastor David Brown. We have a gopher problem. I am not sure if it is one gopher or two or many. What i do know is that last fall mounds started appearing on the rear edge of our back yard. I haven’t found any new mounds this year, but i have … More The Gopher & the Pacifist (by David Brown)
Daniel Kirk highlighted this significant debate from the Twitterverse the other day. Here’s his thoughts — and I agree with him. -JB Daniel Kirk wrote: Yesterday in the Twitterverse the following quote was going around: The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays. … More What Does Prayer Accomplish? (D. Kirk)
We’re all like lumps of clay that over time have been shaped and molded by dozens of influential hands — and experiences and words and ideas and moments and conversations and books and dreams and successes and failures — but mostly people. I am a firm believer in learning from people of different persuasions, and … More Some Key Influences
We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount this summer at MainStreet. This week we covered the Beatitudes. Here’s John Stott’s concise, insightful summary of these 8 countercultural kingdom qualities Jesus calls us to develop. Blessed are (1) the poor in spirit, (2) those who mourn, (3) the meek, (4) those who hunger and thirst … More John Stott on the Beatitudes
WATCH: John Piper interviews Rick Warren on Doctrinal Issues
James 2:14-18, 24 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well … More On the Sideline (by Mike Fox)
I highly recommend this! I will be attending and hope to bring along with me as many MainStreet friends as possible. This will be a fun, thought-provoking field trip together. -JB Woodland Hills Church’s next Q&A with Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy is coming up on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. There has been … More Heaven & Hell Q & A
I’m pleased to introduce a new Daily Luminary, my friend Mike Fox, whose Bible reflections we’ll be featuring occasionally in the weeks ahead. Enjoy! And if you or somebody you know would like to share a written piece at Daily Illumination please send it my way. -JB Matt 25:37-40 37 “Then the righteous will answer … More Expectations (by Mike Fox)
I just spent 3 days up north on a personal retreat – alone. Well, not alone. I carefully chose my weekend companion and mentor. His name is Eugene Peterson. More than just the translator of the well-known The Message Bible, he’s truly “a pastor’s pastor” par excellent, and has finally set down his own spiritual … More My 3 Days with Eugene Peterson
Kingdom Harbor 