TEBA CHURCH AND PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: Jeff Berger at First Baptist Conroe
In this month’s church and pastor spotlight, we spoke with Dr. Jeff Berger. Jeff serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in downtown Conroe. Originally from Yoakum, TX, Jeff received his DMin from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Carrie have two adult children, Kaylee and Will.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
Jeff: I came to FBC Conroe after having pastored a church in Houston for eight years. In the interview, we picked up on what we perceived the church seemed to need: a pastor who would exhibit patience and was willing to build trust amongst the congregation. These were qualities God had already gifted me with, so it has been a terrific marriage! Presently I preach 46 of 52 Sundays and lead a very united staff, something that I don’t take for granted.
What advice would you offer to other pastors?
Jeff: Something I’ve learned that’s helpful (especially to first-time pastors) is this: be slow to make enemies. There’s a tendency that is reinforced by leadership books and pastor’s conferences that if you have a vision, that vision is definitely from God. Therefore, anybody who resists that vision is an enemy to be conquered. What I’ve learned over time is very few people really want to be your enemy. Of course, there are unredeemed, toxic people in churches too, but what I’ve found is many folks have been there a long time. They’ve seen guys like you come and go. They see you and your vision and think, “OK, here we go again…” That doesn’t make them evil people!
Others have been burned by previous pastors, so you have to build trust over time. Others might love things as they presently are a little too much, but each of us struggles with idols of the heart. I’ve found if you’ll just sit down with these folks and ask, ‘Tell me why this decision we’re trying to make bothers you so much,’ once they see that you’re reasonable and respect them enough to listen to them, those walls of opposition start crumbling.
Pastors can be too quick to declare this person an enemy, which quickly snowballs: high stress on their family, who begin to resent the church and see people as enemies out to get their husband/father, etc. So, it starts with loving the people God places in front of you.
What is God teaching you in this season?
Jeff: 1) The importance of prayer – both personally and leading our church to pray. 2) Investing in younger leaders – I wish I would have started this earlier in my ministry.
How can the churches of the TEBA pray for you?
Jeff: Wisdom for good decisions for my kids. For me personally, the same three things I pray for daily: Wisdom, Courage, and Humility.
Pictured below: The First Baptist Church of Conroe
