Richard F. Ward received his B.A. from Oklahoma Baptist University, his M.F.A. from Trinity University (in conjunction with the Dallas Theater Center), an M.A.R. from Christian Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Ward brings to the study of preaching a rich background in performance studies and practices. He is particularly interested in the arts of storytelling and oral interpretation of Scripture as they inform and enrich the ministry of preaching. Ward is the author of “Speaking from the Heart: Preaching with Passion” and a number of contributions and articles for the disciplines of homiletics, performance theory, and communication studies. A second book, “Speaking of the Holy: The Communicative Art of Preaching,” was published in May 2002. He is also the coeditor of “Craddock Stories” with Mike Graves and Fred Craddock. Most recently, with David Trobisch, Richard co-authored “Bringing the Word to Life: Exploring the New Testament through Performing It” (Eerdmans, 2013). Ward served on the editorial boards for “Feasting on the Word: A Lectionary Commentary Series” and “Feasting on the Gospels” for Westminster John Knox Press. Ordained in the United Church of Christ, Ward previously served on the faculties of Iliff School of Theology, Yale Divinity School and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Since retiring from full time teaching Dr. Ward has been a consultant for the Excellence in Preaching program at Perkins School of Theology and as interim pastor for UCC churches in the Denver area.