Before coming to Vancouver Stephen served as Professor of Preaching and Worship at Knox College, the University of Toronto. He is the authour of The Hymns of Luke’s Infancy Narratives: Their Origin, Meaning and Significance, Preaching that Matters: The Bible and Our Lives and Grace: A Preaching Commentary. At present he is completing a manuscript on stories and the art of storytelling in public speaking. In addition, he has written many academic and popular articles, chapters in books, dictionary and encyclopedia entries and a murder mystery short story. He has been invited to lecture and to preach at a wide variety of events and churches on six continents.
Stephen was President of the Academy of Homiletics, the international society of teachers of preaching, for the year 2002. He has served on many local, national and international bodies including the Executive Committee of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. He edited the book of Bible Studies for the 23rd General Council of that body and, with one other person, was charged with the responsibility of negotiating the repudiation of apartheid by the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa
Stephen Farris is married to Patricia Farris, a Principal in the New Westminster School District, and has two sons, Allan and Daniel.