Richard has degrees from the University of Wales (1965), McMaster University (1967), Bristol University (1973 and 1976) and a DipHE from Trinty College, Bristol (1981). He was ordained in 1982, a curate in Hartlepool and priest-in-charge at Widecombe Bath. He has also been a lecturer in philosophy at Trinity Christian College, Chicago. He now lives in Somerset and still runs the Christian Studies Unit.