The Rev. James W. Farwell is the Professor of Theology and Liturgy at Virginia Theological Seminary and holds the H. Boone Chair of Liturgics at The General Theological Seminary. His fields of expertise include liturgical and sacramental theology and practice; liturgy, suffering, and trauma; and Christian comparative theology with special attention to the tradition of Soto Zen Buddhism.

Dr. Farwell holds the Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Emory University. He is a member of the American Academy of Liturgy; the Society for Comparative Theology; and he convenes the Anglican Consortium of the North American Academy of Liturgy. His most recent publications include the Seabury Press book, "Ritual Excellence: Best Practices for Leading and Planning Liturgy."