Bluffton author Bur Shilling has been busy in retirement, penning five books that draw from his career of teaching and ministry work. Shilling was the featured speaker at 2024 Memorial Day ceremonies in Bluffton.

Q. What are the "stepping stones" of your adult life in reverse chronological order?

BGSU faculty – taught and online advisor for all online students

Winebrenner Seminary – taught New Testament/evangelism/discipleship, created and first director of Doctor of Ministry degree, began teaching in Israel (have continued that for past 32 years)

Bluffton University – Campus Pastor and Church Relations

Youth for Christ – Director of 12 staff and three ministry divisions

Q. How does the little boy Bur resemble the adult Bur?

As the oldest of five children, I often was “in charge.” I still like to create itineraries for my trips, plan the hotels and restaurants for meals, and teach at the sites we visit. 

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Q. Did you ever expect to become a writer?

No. After retirement I was teaching in my Findlay church and a Shawnee church. I decided to take the content of many of the courses I had taught over the years and put it into a form that others could appreciate and learn from.

Q. What are your connections to Bluffton?

Although I grew up in Rawson, my mother graduated from BHS and we did our shopping in Bluffton (dentist, eye doctor, physician, A&P grocery, jeweler, etc.). Cathy and I have seen a Bluffton doctor since moving back to the area in 1972. I was Campus Pastor at BU. All eleven of my grandchildren attend (or attended) Bluffton schools.

Today, my time in Bluffton is spent mostly with my kids and grandkids or one of their activities. I have two grandsons on the Pirate football team, a grandson and granddaughter on the soccer teams, a granddaughter on the tennis team, several in school choirs, and several in Jr Hi and elementary athletic and music events. 

Q. Tell us about your writing and reading.

My first book was a Christmas book (I now have published a Study Guide and Facilitator’s Guide for this book). – Christmas Worship and the Birth of Our Savior

My second book is 9 mysteries from the life and ministry of Jesus. EXPOSED! Mysteries from the Life and Ministry of Jesus

Book 3 is East v West, 26 differences between how the eastern and western minds think and those differences’ impact on understanding scripture (the Bible is written from an eastern perspective). East v West: How Differences in Thought Impact Our Understanding of Scripture

Book 4 is my autobiography, DISCARDED! How God Transformed an Unwanted Baby into a Servant of His Kingdom

Book 5 is a view of Jesus’ humanity – Did Jesus tolerate typical human experiences -- anger, love, failure, etc. And the Word Became Flesh: Can Jesus be Entirely Human and Still be Fully God?

Q. Name 3-5 favorite books.

“Favorite” is a difficult parameter. I always have several books going at the same time. I try to read in my discipline as well as a classic, a biography, or something from the NY Times best sellers list. 

I liked Bill O’Reilly’s Killing series. I appreciated the history research that went into his books. I enjoy C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. I am working through a study on this book with my son. 

My third would be a genre rather than a title. I really enjoy books that expose the context (culture, language, geography, history, etc.) of scripture. I’m currently reading The Unseen Realm, a book on the spiritual beings presented in scripture (gods, angels, etc.).

Q. Do you have a bucket list for future adventures or endeavors?

I have been blessed to travel to many states in the US and countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. I plan to enjoy a European river cruise with Cathy soon.