For decades, we have treated Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” as a riddle without a resolution. We ask: is the “answer” blowing away from us, a sign of the cynical futility found in the scrolls of old? Or is it blowing toward us, as near as the oxygen in our lungs? Jeremy finds a Pentecost sermon in the song. … More A Pentecost Sermon from Bob Dylan
A group from our church recently attended a Meal of Appreciation at Brookdale Covenant Church lovingly prepared by our immigrant brothers and sisters we helped out during ICE’s Operation Metro Surge. The authentic ethnic dishes were fantastic, but even more nourishing were the powerful testimonies of the individuals whose lives were turned upside down. … More An Evening of Food & Testimonies
Jeremy explores the complexities of interpreting Genesis 1, emphasizing that it serves as a “Home” story focused on functional purpose rather than a scientific account. Drawing on scholars John Walton and Tim Mackie, Jeremy highlight the narrative’s literary artistry, portraying humanity as caretakers of creation, and challenge readers to redefine their understanding of “Sin” and human vocation in restoring order. … More How Should I Read Genesis 1?
This Friday we will host middle school students to discuss concepts of Heaven. The focus is on biblical views, emphasizing that Heaven is not an escape but a restoration of creation. Salvation’s goal is not merely going to Heaven but dwelling with God in a renewed earth, reflecting God’s presence now and in the future. … More What is Heaven?
In the past few weeks, the president has posted an Easter messagethat used profanity and threatened civilizational genocide, has issued threats to the pope, and has posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus. (He now says he was portraying himself as a doctor.) After all this, even some of the president’s supporters feel humiliated and angry. I think it’s worth asking what exactly is coming to light in this moment and whether it could disrupt a means-to-an-end cultural Christianity. … More Trump’s AI Jesus (Russell Moore)
Three days before Buddy Holly’s tragic plane crash, a teenage Bob Dylan saw one of his idols perform at the Duluth Armory. Reflecting on that moment, Dylan recalls feeling a spiritual connection that changed him. Jeremy visits the Armory, inspired by this legacy and the need for positive role models, drawing parallels with the biblical story of Elijah and Elisha. … More Passing the Torch
Are you feeling a bit lost or weighed down on the long and winding road of life? You aren’t alone! Join us for our spring series where we’ll step into the shoes of the disciples in Luke 24 and discover what it truly means to walk alongside Jesus. The beautiful, multilayered story of the Road to Emmaus shows how Jesus meets us exactly where we are—doubts, fears, and all. … More Spring Series: The Emmaus Way
Earlier this week, the president posted a profanity-laden Easter message promising that Iranians would be “living in Hell” if they did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. After that, he threatened to wipe out “a whole civilization” in what would have been at best a war crime and at worst a genocide. We have crossed a scary threshold in American life. And in this flurry of words, there is one Christians especially should not miss: hell. … More All We’re Saying is Give Hell a Chance
Last Easter I pondered the non-human actors in the passion narrative. Maybe I’m slowly losing faith in humanity’s ability to be reliable actors in God’s New Creation project. But our role in the drama of redemption is inextricably bound up with the groaning and crying of all creation. So, I want to share a new cinematic presentation of my reflection from last year this Holy Week. Enjoy! … More The Hidden Cast of the Passion
Below Scot McKnight once again reiterates why I and so many colleagues find it increasingly difficult to use the name Evangelical and why I only rarely refer to our denomination’s full name when identifying my church tribe. Theologically, I still very much resonate with the classic definitions of Evangelical, but the word means something else entirely now. McKnight is blogging through Ryan Burge’s latest book. … More Idolatry in the Camp
Join me on a 3-week journey to a fuller understanding of the Cross and the Christian life. My foundational “CrossRoad” sermon series from 2019 has been distilled into six short beautifully illustrated videos. This was a defining moment for me as a pastor and teacher, when I drew a line in the sand and decided that the only Christianity worth our time is one that takes Jesus’ most scandalous teachings seriously. … More CrossRoad: Lent Video Series
This Gospel text thrusts us back into that darkened upper room where confused disciples hang on their teacher’s every last word. Ominous feelings fill the room and haunt every heart trying to make sense of this perplexing last meal together. How can such beauty come out of a situation so ugly? How can grace withstand such a tidal wave of heartlessness? How can love flow so freely between these river banks of betrayal? … More Twisted Love
For 20 years, I’ve been writing on the Christian life. Over 2,000+ articles published and 40 volumes of writings fill my shelves. What if there was a way to repackage my favorite articles and give old sermons a second life in a new digital form? Introducing my latest project: short visual summaries of some of my most thought-provoking articles, sermons, essays, and teachings over the years. … More NEW! Visual Sermons & Articles
MainStreet Covenant will be gathering Sunday evenings at 5-6:30pm this Lent to watch season 5 of The Chosen. Season 5 is a slow dramatization of the last week of Jesus’ life. We hope you’ll join us at St. Martin’s By the Lake for this experience. Here’s a brief review by Kate Luck of Christianity Today. … More Join us for The Chosen this Lent
I’m (blessedly) trapped in a blizzard in Two Harbors watching angry waves crash onto the shore of Superior. The 60+ mph wind gusts are ominous, but the snow piling up reminds me of the Lenten truth that “Though our sins be as scarlet, [God] will make us white as snow.” I’m reposting this piece to kick off Lent where I ask the same question as Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Ooh, What’s that Smell?” … More Ashes and Armpits
What we are witnessing is not merely a political failure. It is a spiritual crisis. Why isn’t every Christian in the United States asking with a broken heart, how has the church arrived here? It reveals how easily American Christianity is tempted to trade its witness and its integrity for proximity to wealth and power. We are watching faith be hollowed out and repurposed, not to follow Jesus, but to shield cruelty, excuse racism, and sanctify domination. … More National Prayer Breakfast: A Den of Thieves
Jesus is meddling in politics again. Why doesn’t he just preach the gospel? To “go and do likewise” in this moment for many Jesus-followers in Minnesota means moving toward those who are being harmed and mistreated, showing mercy and standing in solidarity with them, being the healing presence of Jesus and bearing witness to those being left devastated (and sometimes dead) by the side of the road. … More Being a Neighbor, Showing Mercy in Minneapolis
I’m not prophesying the imminent downfall of the political establishment or the nation as a whole. I am offering a timeless warning that reckless, animal-like behavior and a lack of “humanity” in places of power and influence can set in motion a slow downward spiral into self-destructive chaos—personal and societal. Exchanging “the mind of a man for the mind of an animal” is, after all, Paul’s diagnosis of sin-infected humanity in his great letter to the Christians in the capital city of Rome. Where does this lead? Read on. … More Planet of the Apes & Politicians
I reject dismissively labeling a fellow Christian as “woke” or “brainwashed by mainstream media” or a “lefty” just because they may critique the Right or fall left of center on certain issues. Why? Because many like me have come to hold their views by virtue of being a faithful Bible-believing, Evangelical Protestant upholding the conservative value of standing on the ancient text and testing (and often changing!) one’s views in light of the teachings of Jesus. … More Drinking the Kool-Aid
My wife and I moved to the Twin Cities 20 years ago. It’s the place where we’ve lived the longest, where we’ve raised our kids, where I have taught theology and pastored churches and grown rich in friendships. People sometimes ask me: Do you ever want to move back to Texas? Get out of that Minnesota weather? I always answer the same way (with no offense to my Texas roots). … More A Timely Word
A trusted ministry partner of the Northwest Conference and MainStreet Covenant, Transform MN, has put words to this moment in which we find ourselves in the following essay, “This is Why We Pray.” Mission Friends, let’s seek the Lord together in our time of need … urgently, fervently, continuously, desperately. … More This Is Why We Pray
My faith was tested a couple years ago sitting in the ICU as our son battled for his life. I leaned friends and family who showed up with visits, cards, meals, and words of love. But I’ll be honest: words alone felt impotent. Even Scripture rarely penetrated my soul. What did minister to me powerfully was Apostle Paul’s handkerchief. Let me explain! … More Paul’s Handkerchief
Nothing can provoke anger quicker than mercy, when it’s directed to the wrong kind of people.
Marking the church’s Year of Jubilee, Pope Leo XIV invoked biblical language calling for kindness to migrants as human beings made in the image of God. There’s nothing the least bit controversial about this. It’s what the Bible says, what Christians have always believed, what official Catholic teaching makes explicit. Some people didn’t like this. … More No More Mr. ICE Guy
I’m a pastor in a multiethnic denomination of immigrants, where my brothers and sisters are being terrorized by ICE raids and growing hostility and fear caused by this administration’s rhetoric and tactics. Our immigrant churches are half empty on Sundays, as families are afraid to leave their homes. No presents are under the tree, and cupboards are growing bare as they are afraid to go shopping. … More Beware of ICEy Conditions
We are only reading half the story if we focus only on the speechlessness of Zechariah. Before long the mute becomes a minstrel, the silenced one a songbird, the castigated becomes a crooner for Christ. From that day forward, Mercy and Joy are the theme of Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah’s song. Blessed are those who have been mesmerized by God’s mercy, silenced by salvation, flabbergasted by forgiveness, and enraptured by God’s rescue. … More Blessed Are The Speechless
Kingdom Harbor 