Clifford Berger, DMin
Director, Doctoral Programs
Clifford Berger (DMin, Emmanuel Christian Seminary) is the director of the doctoral programs, a position he assumed in 2023 after serving as associate director since 2008.
He has more than 20 years of pastoral experience in Oregon, Kentucky and Tennessee, and has invested over 15 years with ministry organizations and in higher education. Cliff serves the doctoral programs in ways that include administrative, academic and pastoral dimensions. He considers his work with doctoral students as an extension of pastoral ministry, supporting students for success in the program and in their own ministerial formation. Cliff also regularly teaches a course in 20th century U.S. history for the Accelerated Online Degree program.
In addition to equipping students for ministry, he also enjoys travel, playing guitar and listening to music, walking, old barns, reading history, collecting leather-bound books, fly-fishing, coffee, and things made of wood.
Cliff and his wife are the parents of two adult children, both graduates of George Fox University. They attend Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland.
Academic Background
DMin, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan; MDiv, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan; BA, Bushnell University; Graduate study in history at Portland State University
Expertise and Research Interests
Adult development and education, ministerial formation, trends in theological education, historical context and culture