Harris is to be commended for her obedience to God's call and for her courage in attempting to lead the church beyond tradition to truth. Holiness people accepted leadership because of God's call, not by sexist standards. Two-week revivals were often conducted by women evangelists. A neighboring pastor, Sophia Fluke, was always active in Kansas state ministries. Across the movement the names of Mary Raab, Wilma Perry, Marie Strong, Amanda Patton, Axchie Bolitho, Diana Swoope, Lillie McCutcheon, Jeannette Flynn, and a host of others verified what I had always been taught.
Scripture supports the gifting of both prophet and prophetess.
While acknowledging this theologically and supporting it historically in the ordaining of women, our present involvement of women in ministry indicates that some still appear to believe that pastoral leadership is for men only. There is a great deal of difference between recognizing a divine call through ordination and through the release of that person into full pastoral leadership. Leadership includes followership, and there are those who may accept women as pastors but find it difficult to follow them. Such action, whether or not acknowledged or confessed, indicates a drift from our biblical roots. You can read a reprint of his editorial on page 17.