Dr. Jerome Boone recently presented at the annual Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) conference at Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California.

The 45th annual meeting, which spanned from March 10-12, was titled “Worship, the Arts, and the Spirit.” Boone presented “Pentecostal Worship and Hermeneutics: Engagement with the Spirit,” a look at how corporate worship and personal study of Scripture are related.

“It’s an honor to be selected to present my research at the SPS annual conference,” said Boone. “The selection is highly competitive because there are more proposals offered to the program committee than there are time slots for presentations.”

According to Boone’s research, Pentecostals conceptualize the Christian life as an experience that mirrors the narrative book of Acts. Within church worship services, individuals may engage with the Spirit at a private level as well as be engaged in corporate singing, praying or praising God. This engagement with the Spirit is what gives Pentecostalism its distinctive identity.

“The men and women who attend the annual SPS conferences and share their scholarly research enrich my life and vocation,” said Boone. “It also provides a place for me to share my scholarly insights and generates both critique and inspiration. The outcome is always a more ‘informed’ faith.”

The SPS began in 1970 and is an organization that provides a forum for discussion between scholars in all academic disciplines. According to its website, the purpose of the society is to stimulate, encourage, recognize, and publicize the work of Pentecostal and Charismatic scholars and scholars of Pentecostalism.

Boone, professor of Old Testament and Christian formation, joined the Lee faculty in 1976 and customarily teaches biblical studies, Mission of the Church, Old Testament Theology, and Christian Formation. His current research interests lie in the area of Pentateuch, Old Testament prophets and the Bible’s perspective on worship.

Boone received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1982 for his outstanding classroom performance and the Excellence in Scholarship Award in 1997. Attesting to his continuous research and scholarly publication, Boone earned an Appalachian College Association (ACA) Research Grant.

Boone is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He is married to Sandi, and has two adult children, Darla and David. He enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and traveling. Boone also enjoys teaching in mission Bible schools, having taught seminars in schools on four continents: South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

For more information, visit Society for Pentecostal Studies.