Philip Gulley’s Home to Harmony series (8 total): My favorite author and favorite book series!
Yes, my favorite author and favorite series. There, I said it. I’m a bit obsessed, as demonstrated by this overly-in-depth post.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Gulley’s Home to Harmony book series follows the somewhat predictable but always entertaining adventures of Sam Gardner, a Quaker pastor in the tiny town of Harmony, Indiana. The series is a mix of wholesome Midwestern charm and dry Christian humor. But don’t confuse “Christian” with ultra-conservative sermonizing. Gulley often sneaks in progressive spiritual insights that might make certain churchgoers squirm in the pews.
His writing is the perfect blend of relatable, sarcastic, and actually funny. At least for me, it’s a perfect blend. Your results may vary. But I bet you’ll enjoy the series as much as I do.
If you’re a fan of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon stories or Paul Harvey’s folksy storytelling, Philip Gulley’s Harmony series will feel like a cozy, familiar friend.
Home to Harmony Series in order
| Title | Year | Full Novel or Novella | Narration | Quick Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home to Harmony | 2000 | Full novel | 1st person from Sam’s perspective | Sam Gardner returns to his quirky hometown as a pastor. Peace and quiet are not on the agenda. |
| Just Shy of Harmony | 2001 | Full novel | 3rd person | Sam struggles with his own faith and a bout of disillusionment. More whacky hijinks from his congregants leave him exhausted yet inspired. |
| Christmas in Harmony (Novella) | 2002 | Novella | 1st person from Sam’s perspective | The town gears up for a not-so-silent night, complete with pageant disasters and yuletide drama. |
| Signs and Wonders | 2003 | Full novel | 3rd person | Uplifting and inclusive church sign riles up the usual fire-and-brimstone folk. Dale launches “Salvation” balloons to liberal Chicago. |
| Life Goes On | 2004 | Full novel | 1st person from Sam’s perspective | Some in the congregation (ahem, Dale!) are questioning Sam’s “blasphemous” preaching. And the scandal of the century: the Sausage Queen is a vegetarian (gasp!) |
| A Change of Heart | 2005 | Full novel | 3rd person | Dale Hinshaw gets a heart transplant—from a Democrat. Cue identity crisis and sermon backlash. |
| The Christmas Scrapbook (Novella) | 2005 | Novella | 3rd person | Sam tries to craft the perfect scrapbook for his wife. A feel-good story with glue, glitter, and emotional unraveling. |
| Almost Friends | 2006 | Full novel | 3rd person | Sam takes a sabbatical. A new fresh pastoral voice is a welcome addition to the church. Until the traditionalists attempt to kick HER out. |
| A Place Called Hope (Bonus: Spinoff series!) | 2014 | Full novel | 3rd person | A new spinoff series! A new Friends Meeting (Quaker church congregation) for Sam? Tiny membership, but they have a pie committee. |
What is the Home to Harmony Series About?
Phillip Gulley’s Home to Harmony series is a gentle (a.k.a. “wholesome”!), humorous look at small-town life through the eyes of Quaker pastor Sam Gardner.
Set in the fictional town of Harmony, Indiana, the books follow Sam as he navigates eccentric parishioners, town politics, and his own misadventures. It’s loaded with warmth, wit, hilarious misunderstandings, and Midwestern charm. Think Mayberry with a theology degree. Nothing earth-shattering happens, but still, the storylines feel meaningful.
Gulley’s take on Christianity is refreshingly open, inclusive, and progressive. He offers a faith that embraces doubt, grace, and a good sense of humor.
Timeless Storylines
The Harmony series was published between 2000 and 2006, which means the storyline kicked off about 25 years ago (as of this blog’s publish date). So yes, some things feel dated. Cell phones are rare, the Internet is a novelty, and social media isn’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye.
But… the themes still resonate. Church politics? Still a mess today. The gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) tug-of-war between liberal and conservative values? It’s alive and well in pews and potlucks across America. So while the tech might be outdated, the tension is timeless.
But don’t get your panties in a bunch. The “drama” in Harmony is just enough to spark humorous anecdotes and fuel the ridiculous situations the characters stumble into. At its core, these books are about nostalgia and a genuine sense of community and togetherness.
Who is Philip Gulley?
Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, writer, and speaker from Danville, Indiana. He has authored 20+ books, including the acclaimed Harmony series (they one we’re talking about now.) Gulley’s writing often reflects his progressive spirituality. This is demonstrated in his works like If Grace Is True and If God Is Love (co-authored with James Mulholland), and If the Church Were Christian and The Evolution of Faith. In addition to his writing, Gulley serves as a pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting in Camby, Indiana.
Find more about Gulley here: PlainSpeech with Philip Gulley – The Gospel. Revisited.
Is Home to Harmony a TV series?
Coming soon, apparently! Stay tuned… Home to Harmony | Official Website | Angel Studios
Home to Harmony Characters
Here are some of the main characters you’ll meet (and re-meet) in your journey through the Home to Harmony series:
Sam Gardner
The central figure of the series, Sam is a Quaker pastor who returns to his hometown of Harmony, Indiana, to lead the Harmony Friends Meeting (a.k.a. Quaker church congregation.) His dry humor and introspective nature guide readers through the town’s events. Sam sometimes struggles with his own faith and his eccentric (annoying) flock of followers.
Barbara Gardner
Sam’s supportive and (usually) patient wife. Barbara provides a grounding presence for Sam, often offering practical insights and balance. She is one of the more reasonable characters in the series.
Frank
The church secretary known for his dry wit and sage advice. Frank’s long-standing role in the church provides continuity and a touch of humor to the congregation’s daily affairs. He likes to complain to Sam about his paltry salary.
Dale Hinshaw
A zealous church elder with a rigid interpretation of scripture. Dale’s well-intentioned but often misguided actions frequently lead to ridiculous situations. Very ridiculous. Dale is Sam’s primary nemesis.
Fern Hampton
A long-time member of the Harmony Friends Meeting. Fern is known for her traditional views and active participation in church matters (like the annual chicken noodle dinner.) If Dale Hinshaw is Sam’s #1 nemesis, Fern is a close 2nd.
Miriam and Ellis Hodge
Respected elders in the church. Miriam is known for her wisdom and grace. Miriam’s husband, Ellis is a steady and supportive presence. Voices of reason, most of the time.
Amanda Hodge
The adopted daughter of Miriam and Ellis. A bit too smart and talented for Harmony! Amanda’s integration into the Hodge family adds real depth and drama to the otherwise light-hearted storylines.
Nora Nagle
Once crowned Indiana Sausage Queen, Nora now works at Kivett’s Five & Dime and still captures the hearts (and questionable fantasies) of Harmony’s menfolk.
Bob Miles
Editor of the Harmony Herald, Bob pens the “Bobservation Post,” offering a mix of local gossip and personal musings that keep townsfolk informed and entertained.
Deena Morrison
Sharp-tongued, no-nonsense, and perpetually single (until she ruins everyone’s fun by finding someone.) She’s often the only adult in the room, and she knows it.
Home to Harmony Books in order
1. Home to Harmony
- Year Published: 2000
- Narration: 1st person from Sam’s perspective
- Unique Storylines: Meet Sam Gardner, freshly back in his quirky hometown to take over as the local Quaker pastor. He’s hoping for peace and quiet. What he gets instead? Church drama, nosy neighbors, and enough small-town chaos to test anyone’s faith. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and it’s way more eventful than he bargained for.
2. Just Shy of Harmony
- Year Published: 2001
- Narration: 3rd person
- Unique Storylines: Sam’s second year in Harmony brings a series of trials, including a crisis of faith, a marital catastrophe, and a church elder’s (Dale) unconventional plan to combine scripture with eggs.
3. Christmas in Harmony (Novella)
- Year Published: 2002
- Narration: 1st person from Sam’s perspective
- Unique Storylines: Set during the Christmas season, this novella follows the Harmony Friends Meeting as they attempt a progressive Nativity scene—progressive in the sense that it stretches across multiple yards and tests everyone’s holiday spirit. It’s festive, chaotic, and exactly what you’d expect from this crew.
4. Signs and Wonders
- Year Published: 2003
- Narration: 3rd person
- Unique Storylines: Pastor Sam Gardner tries to nudge his small-town church toward inclusivity—whether they like it or not. With a mix of humor and heart, Sam’s progressive messages spark both inspiration and outrage, especially from Dale Hinshaw, who responds by launching “salvation balloons” to Chicago (where all the liberals live!)
5. Life Goes On
- Year Published: 2004
- Narration: 1st person from Sam’s perspective
- Unique Storylines: Sam’s under fire (again) for his so-called heretical preaching, Dale’s marriage is hanging by a thread, and the Sausage Queen just revealed she’s a vegetarian. Toss in lice, ringworm, and a funeral mix-up, and you’ve got another hilarious, heartfelt chapter in Sam Gardner’s increasingly complicated life.
6. A Change of Heart
- Year Published: 2005
- Narration: 3rd person
- Unique Storylines: Harmony’s back with more drama—this time featuring medical scares, surprise weddings, and a sermon that nearly causes a church mutiny. Sam dares to preach a message of inclusion (the horror), while Dale Hinshaw gets a heart transplant… and spirals when he learns the donor was a Democrat. Add in prodigal parents and romantic shakeups, and you’ve got one of the most dramatic entries in the series.
7. The Christmas Scrapbook (Novella)
- Year Published: 2005
- Narration: 3rd person
- Unique Storylines: Pastor Sam wants to surprise his wife with a heartfelt, handmade gift—but he’s not great at covering his tracks. He tells Barbara he’s going to a weekly men’s group, but really, he’s sneaking off to a scrapbooking class. Naturally, the folks in Harmony start wondering what he’s up to. It’s a warm, funny holiday story about good intentions and even better misunderstandings.
8. Almost Friends
- Year Published: 2006
- Narration: 3rd person
- Unique Storylines: Sam finally gets a break with a sabbatical—and Krista Riley, a sharp seminary student, fills in for him. Her fresh, modern take shakes up Harmony’s church, much to the dismay of Dale and Fern, who prefer things stuck in the 1950s. It’s a funny, warm look at small-town church drama and the clash between tradition and change.
What I really loved about the Harmony series is how Philip Gulley mixes clean, wholesome, and (slightly) sarcastic humor with a progressive take on faith. It’s rare to find books that can be funny without being crude and still handle church stuff in a way that’s thoughtful but not preachy. The quirky characters and small-town chaos make it all feel genuine. It’s ridiculous, heartwarming, and refreshing. If you’re into faith-based humor that doesn’t take itself too seriously, there’s a good chance you’ll love this series as much as I do!
Read the series? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
