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Philip Gulley
Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor who has written several nonfiction books, as well as the popular Harmony series --- a set of novels about life in a small Indiana town. In this Faithful Fifteen, Gulley discusses his latest book, ALMOST FRIENDS, and explains why he chose to feature a female minister in this sixth installment. He also describes how his faith has progressed over time, reveals his views on the role of Christians in today's society, and shares a memorable experience he had with two of his readers.
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Philip Gulley Answers The Faithful Fifteen
September 2006
Writing
FaithfulReader.com: Could you give a brief summary of your latest book?
Philip Gulley: ALMOST FRIENDS is the sixth book in the Harmony series. Sam Gardner, the pastor of Harmony Friends Meeting, takes three months off to care for his ill father. He is replaced by Krista Riley, an interim pastor, who is bright and witty and very likeable. The congregation (most of them anyway) falls in love with her, and Sam begins to fear for his job. Several members begin to question her suitability for ministry, in a very mean-spirited way, and Sam hesitates to come to her rescue. The book deals with feelings of jealousy, its power over us, and the difficulty of doing the right thing, especially when it costs us.
FR: What role does faith have in the book? What inspired you to write it?
PG: I don't set out to write books about faith. I write about people, some of whom are motivated by faith, others who aren't. I let the characters play out according to their personality and values. I've long been intrigued with the idea of women in ministry, having met many capable women pastors over the years. But there seemed to be a lack of them in popular fiction, so I thought I would try to bring one to life.
FR: What do you feel your calling is as a writer?
PG: I want to make folks think, stretch their minds a bit, get them to look at the world a bit differently, and have fun doing it.
FR: Who are your favorite authors and mentors? How have they influenced your work?
PG: I appreciate the work of E. B. White. I read widely, from murder mysteries to westerns to biographies. Any well-written, intelligent book influences me. I admire writers who do the craft well.
FR: Do you have any favorite stories of encounters with readers?
PG: I got a letter from a reader just last week, telling me it was her mother-in-law's birthday wish to have me sign one of her Harmony books. Instead, I met the two ladies for lunch, and presented the mother-in-law with a Harmony quilt made by the Friendly Women's Circle. It was a great deal of fun.
Spirituality
FR: Tell us about your personal faith journey.
PG: I grew up Catholic, then became a Quaker at the age of 17. Over the years, I have moved from fundamentalism to a more progressive view of God and the world. That journey has been most interesting, challenging and personally rewarding.
FR: Who are your spiritual mentors?
PG: I have deeply appreciated the work of Will Campbell, John Shelby Spong, Clarence Jordan and Marcus Borg. They're my spiritual heroes.
FR: What is your current church community involvement?
PG: I currently serve as the pastor of Fairfield Friends Meeting in Camby, Indiana, near Indianapolis. I've been there seven years. It is an old church, founded in 1826. Many wonderful people attend there. It is a blessing to have them in my life.
FR: What are your Scripture reading habits? Prayer habits?
PG: I practice daily silence, after the manner of Quakers. Each week, I study a parable or story of Jesus, on which I then preach.
FR: If you had one message for Christians today, what would it be?
PG: Our current alliance with political power has the potential to do much harm for our world, country and church. We need to find a way of engaging and blessing the world without being a part of the secular/political structure, which always causes us to compromise our core values.
Life
FR: Tell us about your family. Spouse? Kids?
PG: I've been married for 22 years to Joan Apple. We have two school-age sons, who are feisty and fun and all-boy.
FR: Do you and your family have any special traditions?
PG: Most of all my extended family lives near me. We gather regularly for family dinners. Sundays are a special day for us. We practice the Sabbath habit of slowing down, focusing on relationships and enjoying leisure.
FR: What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities?
PG: I ride my motorcycle in my spare moments, collect Case pocketknives, and read widely. I also enjoy gardening, camping with my family and puttering in my garage.
FR: What are your media habits? Television? Movies? Music? Etc.?
PG: We don't have television, but every Saturday evening we listen to the "Prairie Home Companion" on the radio.
FR: What excites you about life?
PG: I'm excited about many things --- young people, good music, invigorating ideas, the growth of consciousness, being with my friends, learning something new, thinking of my next book, preaching, neighborhood parties and my wife and sons.
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Bibliography
Harmony series:
- HOME TO HARMONY (Multnomah, 2000)
- JUST SHY OF HARMONY (HarperSanFrancisco, 2002)
- CHRISTMAS IN HARMONY (HarperSanFranciso, 2002)
- SIGNS AND WONDERS (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003)
- LIFE GOES ON (HarperSanFrancisco, 2004)
- A CHANGE OF HEART (HarperSanFrancisco, 2005)
- XTHE CHRISTMAS SCRAPBOOK (HarperSanFrancisco, 2005)
- ALMOST FRIENDS (HarperSanFrancisco, 2006)
Nonfiction:
- FRONT PORCH TALES: Warm-Hearted Stories of Family, Faith, Laughter and Love (Multnomah, 1997)
- HOME TOWN TALES: Recollections of Kindness, Peace and Joy (Multnomah, 1998)
- IF GRACE IS TRUE: Why God Will Save Every Person (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003) - co-written with James Mulholland
- IF GOD IS LOVE: Rediscovering Grace in an Ungrateful World (HarperSanFrancisco, 2004) - co-written with James Mulholland
- PORCH TALK (HarperSanFrancisco, May 2007)
Faithful Fifteen Main Page
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ALMOST FRIENDS: A Harmony Novel