Birthing is usually an incredibly painful process. But even after hours of intense labor, ask just about any mom and she’ll tell you the first time that baby is in her arms? She feels immeasurably blessed.
Giving birth to a new ministry is a process too, and as is often the case, the origins of The Williford Connection are a bit practical, a notion logical, and pinch supernatural. How else would you explain Craig’s and my desire to begin a ministry that helps hurting leaders/pastors when their weariness and inclinations to leave ministry are reaching alarming levels—years before those alarming levels were known? But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Craig started talking about retiring long before we’d even heard of COVID. Both of us were suffering the physical effects of long-term stress. Put simply: We were worn out! We initially set a goal to retire the year before COVID hit. The whole idea didn’t sit well with me, however, and I distinctly remember asking Craig, “How do we suddenly quit something that we’ve done our entire married life?” Since we’re celebrating 50 years this June of 2023, that’s one long stretch of service! We batted the idea of retirement back ‘n forth—Craig was seeing it more and more as a need and I was resisting—when he came up with an idea. “Let’s start a new ministry,” he suggested. “One of caring for leaders and their spouses. We’ve done that for years and have learned just a few things along the way. What if we try to put those lessons learned to good use?” I loved the idea. And the birth of The Williford Connection began.
There were just a few bumps to navigate first, however.
Like COVID. Suddenly retirement was derailed by the absolute resolve (on both of our parts) that we couldn’t leave Multnomah University in the midst of the pandemic. Neither of us is a quitter or one to abandon those who look to us for leadership in a time of crisis. Retirement was off the table until the imminent danger was past. But even and maybe especially in the midst of everything, God was at work. (Why are we so often surprised by that inevitable fact?) Because out of the horrors of COVID, legions of Christian leaders would suffer shock, depression, weariness, loss, and deep grief. A Barna Group survey showed that “Nearly two-in-five pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry,” and “51% of mainline church pastors say they were strongly considering leaving the ministry.” (quote by Pastor Duane Anders from KTVB7 in Boise, ID, article; 1.19.22) We’re awed by God’s advanced preparation of us, this ministry, and the incredibly dedicated and generous board members who “fuel” this ministry. We simply could not do this without their many-faceted support.
The Williford Connection (TWC) exists under this mission statement: TWC supports ministry leaders and spouses by offering compassionate listening and godly wisdom.
By God’s grace and provision, we offer this ministry to you, Christian leaders. And due to the generosity of our supporters, a weekly phone call to pick Craig’s brain for his 50+ years of experience and wisdom is without cost to you. Additional services do involve fees; you can find those listed and explained elsewhere on this website.
We’re so thankful for the opportunity to continue serving God—by ministering to you, leaders—in our retirement. We offer this service humbly, under God’s and our board’s authority. If, by God’s direction and grace, we provide renewed hope for one tired and weary pastor…if we encourage one gifted leader to stay the course…or if we supply insight and wisdom for one bewildered executive pastor with a hurting staff…then we’ll feel immeasurably blessed.
To God be the glory!