John Wesley(1709-1791) was one of the most influential men of the last three hundred years. The movement he started is alive and well today, and takes many shapes. Wesley's contributions to the Christian faith have benefited both men and women alike. However, with particular regard to women in ministry Wesley has helped pave the way for equality. .
For women in the church the ultimate sign of equality is ordination. Only when a woman has equal athority and opertunity can she be considered equal to men. While Wesley himself never endorsed ordination, and only officially sanctioned female preaching in 1787, he did hold women in high regard. (Chilote) They were integrally involved in early Methodism, and in many ways made the movement possible. .
John Wesley's work influenced many people and spurred many other movements. One such movement was the holiness movement founded by B.T. Roberts (1823-1893) a predecessor of Wesley. Roberts would come to disagree with Wesley on this issue, and would advocate for women's ordination. However, like John himself, after his death the movement would be out of his control. .
John Wesley received much of his early spiritual and academic training from his mother Susanna Wesley (1670-1742). Susanna was a strong, intelligent, deeply spiritual, and mature woman. While John was growing up he personly witnessed the heart and character of his mother. For example, while her husband was absent in London in 1711, Susanna Wesley adopted the practice of reading and instructing her family in spiritual matters. One of the family servants told his parents and they too wished to come. These told others, and they came, till the congregation totaled forty, and increased till they were over two hundred. She read to them the best sermons she could find in the library, and talked to the people freely and affectionately. (Wakeley).
It was from early experiences such as these that John Wesley saw the value in allowing women to be involved in the early Methodist movement.