St. Augustine on Humility
October 2, 2023
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan to build a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” —St. Augustine … More St. Augustine on Humility
“Listen Up!” Fall Ministry Update
September 18, 2023
Summer has faded in the rear view, replaced by the fresh rhythms and possibilities of a new season. A few highlights to celebrate with friends and financial supporters. Speaking of support, a reminder that I am in a new season of raising my own salary like an overseas missionary to continue leading MainStreet Covenant and … More “Listen Up!” Fall Ministry Update
Soaking in Christ
August 26, 2023
From my comfortable spot in the jacuzzi I can see people upstairs moving and sweating on the machines. Today, as I toweled off after 20 minutes of reading Brueggemann’s book on Exodus in the hot tub, I pondered the value of both running and soaking in spiritual terms. … More Soaking in Christ
Split Screen Lives
August 24, 2023
Let everyone around us fawn at the big-budget political mayhem swirling continuously around us. Let us keep our focus on the little pop-out window on the screen of history that bows humbly before the manger and stands in awe with lowly shepherds. Let worldly politics be a little side hobby (though I don’t recommend it!), and let King Jesus and his upside-down politics rule in our hearts and minds continuously. … More Split Screen Lives
Shut Up & Build Up: Healing Our Divisions
August 23, 2023
Why was the creation of the universe described in 9 verses in Genesis, whereas the building of the tabernacle is detailed in hundreds of verses over many chapters Exodus? Moses was working with a fractious bunch divided into twelve tribes, and one of the best ways to unite a people is by joining them together in a common project. … More Shut Up & Build Up: Healing Our Divisions
Cow Manure and Spiritual Growth
August 19, 2023
In John 12, Jesus is telling us that life is to be found in the dying and losing process, not on the other side of it or by avoiding it. If you want to bear much fruit spiritually, then you may first need to be broken open, split in two, pressed into hard soil, plowed over by persecution, humbled by the spade that throws loose dirt over the false, airbrushed version of your life. … More Cow Manure and Spiritual Growth
‘The Radiance in Your Letter’
August 18, 2023
As a nerdy hobby born of my doctoral dissertation, I am fascinated by the power of letters. I stumbled upon these remarkable words from St. Gregory of Nyssa in a letter to a friend circa 380 AD. He states so effusively how powerful some thoughtful words from a friend can be in a trying time. Check this out! … More ‘The Radiance in Your Letter’
Sweet and Sour Church
August 17, 2023
I came across a letter today that I sent to our congregation in January 2020. This was just weeks before our world would be dramatically changed (as well as the church) with the outbreak of Covid-19. We were casting a fresh vision, moving buildings, and turning a new leaf in our journey together. … More Sweet and Sour Church
Sit Still, Pinocchio!
July 12, 2023
If God is the true Sculptor and we are the clay, then we need to sit still on God’s workbench more often so he can do his job. Imagine old Geppetto trying to put the finishing touches on his masterpiece Pinocchio if he were already a living boy, jumping up and down and running around the room. That’s much of American Christian spirituality. We’re working too hard for God to work on us. We’re moving too fast for God to move in us. … More Sit Still, Pinocchio!
Laid Bare, Yet Lavishly Loved
July 10, 2023
Peter stands naked in the boat, both for practical fishing purposes and to symbolize a man laid completely bare before God-in-Christ. Instead of hiding his shameful nakedness, he wraps himself in a garment of grace, plunges himself into the waters of forgiveness, and swims into the arms of his loving friend. … More Laid Bare, Yet Lavishly Loved
Better Late Than Never: 44th Birthday Reflection
July 6, 2023
As I turned 44 years old this past week, I’ve been ruminating on this breathtaking quote from Saint Augustine’s Confessions: “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you.” … More Better Late Than Never: 44th Birthday Reflection
Ministry Update – June ’23
July 5, 2023
My goal is to put out at least quarterly ministry update videos to keep our faithful supporters up to speed on our ministry efforts and impact at MainStreet and Kingdom Harbor. Thanks for your partnership! … More Ministry Update – June ’23
Kevin’s Funeral Sermon – “Eyes Opened on the Road to Life”
July 1, 2023
I shared a sermon at Kevin Krotzer’s funeral on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at St. Martin’s by the Lake. It’s a message I think others need to hear. I know some friends and family were unable to attend, and so I decided to record a version of it to share here. One fun additional note: … More Kevin’s Funeral Sermon – “Eyes Opened on the Road to Life”
Fathers Around the Sacred Fire
June 30, 2023
I went on a retreat recently with my good friend Peter and our spiritual father David Johnson. We spent much time around the fire talking about our desire to be better fathers. Ironically, this absent-minded father didn’t realize this retreat would take me away from my son on his 10th birthday! … More Fathers Around the Sacred Fire
Orbiting Grace at MainStreet
June 29, 2023
A younger Pastor Jeremy desired a church that was organizationally sustainable. An older and wiser Pastor Jeremy is content with a small fellowship that brings people into a healing orbit of grace and love for as long as they are among us. … More Orbiting Grace at MainStreet
Nice to Meet you!
June 28, 2023
I enjoyed meeting many St. Martin’s folks at the June 27 “Bible, Brats & Beer” and having the chance to share my backstory and call to ministry in my hometown. MainStreet Covenant Church is blessed to house our ministries at St. Martin’s and celebrate all the ways God is at work in both of our … More Nice to Meet you!
Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!
June 20, 2023
Words fail me for once to express how blessed I am to have Curt Berg as my dad. He’s so steady. So consistent. So trustworthy and loving. In a world where foundations often seem shaky and where people are so often two-faced and fickle, my dad is pure gold all the way through. So friendly. So helpful. So handy and resourceful. So strong and yet tender. So faithful. … More Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!
Changing the Devil’s Oil
June 1, 2023
I was getting my oil changed at Valvoline this morning when a big truck pulled up next in line with the customized license plate that read: SATAN1. The employees started whispering nervously and trying to anticipate what kind of customer they would soon be serving. … More Changing the Devil’s Oil
Remembering Kevin Krotzer
May 30, 2023
Kevin Krotzer (far left in photo) passed onto glory on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, around 6pm. Kevin was a special part of the MainStreet family, and he was the dearly beloved of God. Let me share some of my favorite memories of “Uncle” Kevin. … More Remembering Kevin Krotzer
Remembering Bonnie Blair (1940-2023)
May 24, 2023
Our MainStreet Covenant matriarch and church grandma, Bonnie Blair, has gone to be with her Lord and Savior. Let me share some of my favorite memories of Bonnie. … More Remembering Bonnie Blair (1940-2023)
Teaching Outreach: Year End Report
May 23, 2023
Over the past nine months I have taught 9 college courses at 4 different schools traveling over 12,000 miles to plant seeds of the Kingdom in the hearts and minds of some 250 students. This is made possible by the financial support of MainStreet and Kingdom Partners like you. Let me share some highlights! … More Teaching Outreach: Year End Report
Jesus Walks and Kingdom Talks
May 22, 2023
This past week three college students of mine met up at Gale Woods Farm to go on a nature walk together. Not just any nature walk; a Jesus Walk aimed at letting the sights and sounds of nature amplify some core teachings of Jesus. The vision for “Jesus Walks” was hatched last spring in Australia while sipping chai tea on sabbatical. … More Jesus Walks and Kingdom Talks
Fighting (the Culture War) Like the Devil
March 16, 2023
BY RUSSELL MOORE We Lose Culture Wars by Prosecuting Them “Why are we on defense,” one frustrated culture warrior asked me, referring to some religious freedom issue, “when we should be on offense?” As I’ve writtenelsewhere, I find this metaphor telling. It assumes that what really matters is the church’s state rather than its mission. The more I’ve … More Fighting (the Culture War) Like the Devil
MLK and the Seven Churches in Revelation
January 16, 2023
Today I read MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham jail alongside the letters to the seven churches of Revelation. John and Patmos, and King in a jail cell–what great prophetic company! … More MLK and the Seven Churches in Revelation
Justice & Peace Have Kissed! (Psalm 85)
December 28, 2022
The Prince of Peace himself wants to hold classes in every church across the globe this New Year “that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:3). What are the key topics of his seminar? The psalmist gives us the curriculum. Jesus wants to teach his people that in Him “unfailing love and truth have met together” (v. 10a). … More Justice & Peace Have Kissed! (Psalm 85)
Jeremy Berg 