Dr. Richard holds two ordinations and multiple degrees including a Doctor of Divinity from study in both the United States and in Europe.  A professional musician, published author, award-winning businessman and currently the Senior Minister for Unity in Lynnwood, Dr. Held's work has been noted as, "Thought-provoking and soul-nudging - that rare balance of profound and profoundly simple."

In 2014, he was invited to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Association for Global New Thought which launched the Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Seasons for Peace and Nonviolence.  He has   created with such notables as Dr. Maya Angelou, Marianne Williamson, Bishop Carlton Pearson, Bishop John Shelby-Spong, Barbara Marx-Hubbard, Dr. Jean Houston, Gary Zukav Mark Victor-Hansen and Victoria Moran.