Jarena Lee published two religious autobiographical narratives: "The Life and Religious Experience of Jarena Lee" and "Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee". These two narratives were published in 1836 and 1849 respectively. Both works spoke about Lee's life as a preacher for the African Methodist Church. But her narratives were not endorsed by the Methodists because a woman preaching was contrary to their church doctrine. Some critics argue that Lee's contribution to African-American literature lies in her disobedience to the patriarchal church system and her assertion of women's rights within the Methodist Church.