800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}   Two years ago Shelly was surprised to learn that her mother had once been engaged to a seminary student named Bob Ochsenrider; a surprise as Shelly had assumed that her mother’s only engagement had been to her father.  A prolific Facebook user, Shelly found Bob within minutes.  “I admit I was curious to learn more about him, so I looked him up and sent him a “you don’t know me but you were once engaged to my mom” email. I still chuckle, imagining what he must have thought when he opened it and remembering Mom’s gasp of shock when I told her I’d sent it,” Shelly laughed. Within an hour, Bob wrote back.   Then for reasons that could only be described as a “God Thing,” they became friends.  “Our initial Facebook chats had to do with mutual memories and about people we both knew through our common Indiana roots. Very soon it became apparent that there were a great many shared interests and concerns. And even more important, there was openness to our discussions that resulted in meaningful give and take. In the spirit of friendship, we offered advice, counsel, support, encouragement and insight to each other,” Bob recalled. Two months and a few hundred messages later, Bob sent Shelly a link to an article in Salon magazine. It was about Jesus’ role throughout history, as well as disseminating possible reasons for certain occurrences in his earthly life. Bob was interested to get Shelly’s take on the article, anticipating a lively exchange after she read it. What came next was the inspiration for this book. Shelly peppered Bob with questions that a pastor of 58 years could answer. In turn, Bob had questions for Shelly that she countered with from a layperson’s perspective. From that discussion “Conversations: About God, Faith and the Church” was born. It’s a retired preacher and an everyday believer chatting about a variety of topics; reaching back to the earliest days of Christianity and exploring its relevance in today’s ever changing world. From both sides of the pulpit.     **************************************************************************** BOB Ochsenrider is a retired United Methodist minister of 58 years, who lives with his wife Ruth in the mountains of north central Tennessee.   He received his AB from Earlham College, Master of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from Drew Theological Seminary.   Author of “Celebration; Becoming a Whole Person in a Fractured Society”, and “Every Day a Holy Day: A Leisure Ministry Workbook” published by Tidings, Bob was also a frequent contributor to the Upper Room Daily Devotional from 1970-1979. Having pastored country churches, county seat congregations and campus settings, Bob also served ten years as a denominational executive on the Methodist Board of Evangelism, preaching throughout the United States and giving counsel to congregations regarding ministry opportunities. ******************************************************** SHELLY Mills is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and resident of Florida where she and husband Ralph make their home. She studied at St Petersburg College and Purdue University.   Shelly’s work has appeared in many magazines, newspapers, nine Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes as well as eleven anthology collections published through Adams Media, Time Warner, Simon and Schuster, Thomas Nelson, and HCI Books under the pen name “Michelle Close Mills."     Shelly was also ghost writer-editor for “The Right Future for Florida and You, Starting Right Now!” by Col. Mike McCalister; 2010 GOP Florida gubernatorial candidate, and 2012 GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.