Richard Ward is an author, biblical storyteller, and theologian.  As Professor Emeritus at the Phillips Seminary, he brings a rich background in performance studies and practices to the Festival Gathering. He is particularly interested in the arts of storytelling and oral interpretation of Scripture as they inform and enrich ministry. Richard is the coeditor of “Craddock Stories” with Mike Graves and Fred Craddock. Most recently, with David Trobisch, Richard co-authored “Bring the Word to Life: Exploring the New Testament through Performing It.”  He’s published other books and several contributions and articles for the disciplines of homiletics, performance theory, and communication studies.  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.