Every once in a while (and actually more often than that, if I'm honest) it occurs to me that it is just impossible to be a mother and a pastor at the same time. But tonight I spent some time reading about Clara Babcock. Clara was the first officially ordained female minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) back in 1888 or 1889. But before her official ordination, she was an evangelist, speaker, and elder who baptized many individuals, according to our church records here at First Christian, Rock Falls. Rev. Babcock was an unflinching preacher and led many revivals around our area. She was not one to let much stand in her way. She believed that she was called by God to preach the gospel. And she did -- all over the place, despite the fact that she was also raising her family. In fact, there are stories told of her preaching and also rocking her child to sleep in a cradle set behind the pulpit.
Every once in a while (and more often than that) I am fairly convinced that it is impossible to mother and pastor at the same time.
But the 1,502 people Clara Babcock baptized during her life would probably tell me otherwise.
Every once in a while (and more often than that) I am fairly convinced that it is impossible to mother and pastor at the same time.
But the 1,502 people Clara Babcock baptized during her life would probably tell me otherwise.
