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Behind the Magnolia Tree:

Book One (The Magnolia Series 1)

Information:

Father Steele Austin moves his little family from Oklahoma to one of the most prestigious congregations in the old South. Some of the more influential members of the congregation immediately find him unworthy to be the rector of Historic First Church (Episcopal). He is determined to open the parish’s ministry to those that do not measure up to the unwritten membership standards. Those in power work for his removal. Even the Klu Klux Klan find his ministry a threat to the community norm. Soon the young rector becomes aware of the secrets of sex, power and greed kept by the most pious in the congregation. Readers consistently report that they know someone just like several of the characters that live in Falls City, Georgia. This novel has been described as a real page turner that brings the reader to both laughter and tears – sometimes at the same time. At Historic First Church you will meet a lot of people you already know and a few that you hope never to meet.

Price: $15.25

ABOUT MY BOOKS & HOW TO BUY?

Dennis R. Maynard is the author of 22 books. Well over 250,000 Episcopalians have read his book, Those Episkopols. 3500 congregations around the United States use Those Episkopols in their new member ministries. Several denominational leaders have called it the unofficial handbook for the Episcopal Church. He is also the author of Forgive and Get Your Life Back. The same number of clergy have used that particular book to do forgiveness training in their congregations. The books in The Magnolia Series are growing in popularity around the nation as readers anxiously await each new chapter.”The novels give us a chance to look at the underside of parish life. While the story lines are fictional, the readers invariably think they recognize the characters. If not, they know someone just like the folks that attend First Episcopal Church in the town of Falls City, Georgia.” Over his forty-two years of parish ministry he has served some of the largest congregations in the Episcopal Church. His ministry included parishes in Illinois, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and California. President George H.W. Bush and his family were members of the congregation he served in Houston, Texas, also the largest parish in the Episcopal Church. He has served other notable leaders that represent the diversity of his ministry. These national leaders include Former Secretary of State, James Baker; Former Secretary of Education, Richard Riley; Supreme Court Nominee, Clement Haynsworth; and the infamous baby doctor, Benjamin Spock, among others.Doctor Maynard maintains an extensive speaking and travel schedule. He is frequently called on to speak, lead retreats, or serve as a consultant to parishes, schools and organizations throughout the United States. His most recent book, When Sheep Attack, is based on twenty-five case studies of clergy that were attacked by a small group of antagonists in their congregations. The antagonists successfully removed their senior pastor, leaving the congregations themselves divided and crippled. The book describes how it happened, what could have been done to stop it, and what can be done to prevent it from happening to your pastor and parish.