Rev. Dr. Richard W. Voelz

Denomination: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (CC(DC))
Organization: Union Presbyterian Seminary

Rev. Dr. Richard W. Voelz is Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he also directs The Bridge Center for Early Career Preachers. He joined the Union faculty in 2016 and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2020. In 2025, he served as president of the Academy of Homiletics.

Before entering theological education, Voelz served for more than a decade in ministry, including as senior minister of Johns Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in metro Atlanta. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in homiletics and liturgics from Vanderbilt University, an M.Div. from Emmanuel School of Religion, and a B.A. from Milligan College.

His most recent book, From Pulpit to Public Square: Faithful Speech beyond Church Walls (Westminster John Knox Press, 2025), equips clergy to offer prophetic and pastoral witness in public settings beyond the pulpit while speaking with integrity from a faith perspective. He is also the author of Preaching to Teach: Inspire People to Think and Act (Abingdon Press, 2019), Youthful Preaching: Strengthening the Relationship between Youth, Adults, and Preaching (Cascade Books, 2016), and Tending the Tree of Life: Preaching and Worship through Reproductive Loss and Adoption. With colleagues including Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade, he has led research into the remaining obstacles to unmasking white preaching.

His scholarly interests include contemporary homiletic theory, preaching and youth, pastoral identity, and preaching in the Stone-Campbell Movement.