Richard Riccardi

For years, church occupied an uncertain middle ground in Richard G. Riccardi’s life. Being raised Catholic, he believed attendance mattered, but his experience with it was unfulfilling. A generous assessment of his attendance was irregular and uninspired.

Eventually, instead of asking what he should or was obligated to do, he asked a simpler question: Is going to church worthwhile? He put the concept to the test by attending services at 33 different places of worship, crossing denominations, cultures, and faith traditions in one year.

As the journey unfolded, he discovered he knew a lot less than he thought. Time and again, the differences and preconceptions he assumed would dominate the experience receded once he was inside the house of worship and interacting with real people.

Rather than the typical negative impressions of church, he encountered smiling, welcoming people; heard uplifting, not condemning, faith messages; learned that the differences in faith traditions are not so different; and discovered faith can transcend race.

The experience transformed him, and he concluded that there is a place for everyone, and everyone needs a place. Sure, churches aren’t perfect; they are composed of people, but the imperfections are fewer than expected, and there is a constant aspiration to do better.

Those experiences became The Wandering Worshipper, a book that sidesteps theological debate to focus on how worship communities can positively and profoundly impact the attendees individually and collectively. Although Richard became a passionate weekly churchgoer, he still speaks from the vantage point that shaped the experiment: curious, open-minded, and receptive, not evangelical.

The Wandering Worshipper is an encouragement to put aside preconceived notions, explore church, and to seize the benefit of community worship.

The book speaks especially to people who’ve drifted away, been disappointed by religious institutions, or never felt they belonged in the first place.

Outside his writing, Richard supports the consumer-packaged goods ecosystem through investment, mentorship, and leadership in an industry association. He also serves and supports several philanthropic organizations. Beforehand, he owned and operated his family’s food processing business for 25 years. He is also an attorney and CPA.

Whether business, relationships, or faith, Richard’s open-minded and hearted approach richly rewards him with profound personal experiences and associations.

As a podcast guest, Richard shares grounded stories about walking into unfamiliar rooms, standing out, and why presence often reshapes people long before belief ever does.