The Society for Pentecostal Studies welcomes you to the official information center for our 39th Annual Meeting hosted at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN, March 4-6, 2010.

If you are planning to attend the meeting, this page should answer most, if not all, of your questions. If you have questions about the meeting which are not addressed here, please contact the appropriate individual below:

Local Minneapolis Information: Anh Weinacht (612) 343-4767
Program Information: Kimberly Ervin Alexander
General Information: David Roebuck (423) 614-8576

Meeting Overview

The meeting will begin with a full day of sessions on Thursday and end with a banquet on Saturday night. 

Our theme is "New Voices, New Visions: Future and Hope of Pentecostal Theology."

Along with plenary and Interest Group sessions, the conference includes worship, a reception, morning devotions, working-lunch meetings, a Society business meeting, and a banquet. During the conference, attendees have many opportunities to socialize, become acquainted with one another, and to share their scholarly interests and current work. Attendees also enjoy discounted prices on a variety of books and other products exhibited by vendors and ministries who underwrite various conference activities.

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Theme: "New Voices, New Visions:
Future and Hope of Pentecostal Theology"

Pentecostals readily affirm their openness to the leading of the Spirit in their personal journey as well as in their communities of worship; but the question remains: what is the Spirit saying and where is the Spirit leading with regard to the theology of the movement? Is it possible to maintain a Pentecostal theological identity but express that identity in new ways? Are there lessons we should learn from our past as we enter the next era? How is theology being shaped by Pentecostal voices from the majority world? Are there new methods to be engaged for the formation of Pentecostal leaders? What theological visions are being given to our sons and daughters? Are there voices from outside the tradition that may serve to inform us and to shape our future?

The 2010 meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies will explore this future and raise these questions through a program of both plenary and parallel sessions from the perspective of various of academic disciplines.

For further questions on the theme, please contact:
Kimberly Ervin Alexander, 1st Vice President and Program Chair.

The Program

The plenary sessions of the program have been constructed to reflect the diversity of voices and disciplines by which Pentecostal theology is being and likely will be formed.

Rickie D. Moore (Lee University) is a noted Old Testament scholar. He is the author of God Saves:  Lessons from the Elisha Stories (Sheffield Academic Press, 1990) and was a founding editor of  The Journal of Pentecostal Theology. The opening plenary of the 2010 meeting will include a sermon by Moore,  “New Voices, New Visions:  The Promise of the Father to a (Grand)Parent’s Cry.”

Terry LeBlanc is Mi’kmaq /Acadian, from Listuguj First Nation and Campbellton, NB, Canada. He is Director of the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS) and Executive Director of “My People International.” He is managing editor of the NAITTS journal and contributor to various scholarly publications including the Edinburgh 2010 documents. He serves as adjunct faculty with Tyndale University College and Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary where he is completing his PhD in Intercultural Studies. LeBlanc’s address is titled “Spirit and Spirituality:  New Old Perspectives.”

Margaret M. Poloma (Professor Emeritus, University of Akron) and Matthew T. Lee (University of Akron) are co-directors (with Stephen G. Post and John C. Green) of the Flame of Love Project, an interdisciplinary research project exploring  Godly Love in the Pentecostal tradition. Poloma is author of numerous books including The Assemblies of God at the Crossroads:  Charisma and Institutional Dilemmas (University of Tennessee Press, 1989) and Main Street Mystics:  The Toronto Blessing and Reviving Pentecostalism (AltaMira Press, 2003). Her research collaborations in the Flame of Love Project have resulted in several publications. With Ralph W. Hood, Jr. she co-authored Blood and Fire:  Godly Love In A Pentecostal Emerging Church (NYU Press, 2008); with John Green, Godly Love and the Revitalization of American Pentecostalism: Reexamining the Assemblies of God at the Crossroads; and with Lee, Social Filters of Godly Love:  A Sociological Study of the Great Commandment in the Pentecostal Context (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009). Poloma and Lee will explore the integration of social science and Pentecostal Theology in a plenary session titled “Harvesting New Fields of Study:  Lessons from Research on Godly Love.”

Tony Jones is a doctoral fellow in Practical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and theologian-in-residence at Solomon’s Porch in Minneapolis. He is author of numerous books including The Sacred Way:  Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life  (Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2005), Divine Intervention:  Encountering God Through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina (NavPress, 2006), An Emergent Manifesto of Hope (Baker, 2007), Postmodern Youth Ministry: Exploring Cultural Shifts, Creating Holistic Connections, Cultivating Authentic Community (Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2001), and most recently The New Christians:  Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier (Jossey-Bass, 2008). Jones will address the subject “Emerging Spiritualities: What Pentecostalism and the Emerging Church Movement Have to Learn from One Another."

Offering a response to Jones will be Cheryl Bridges Johns (Pentecostal Theological Seminary). Johns is the author of Pentecostal Formation: A Pedagogy Among the Oppressed (Sheffield Academic Press, 1993) and numerous other publications in the area of Christian formation and the life and work of the Pentecostal church. A past president of the society, Johns is a frequent speaker at ecumenical conferences around the world. Most recently she has been at the forefront of the Evangelical and Pentecostal discussions regarding the care of Creation.

Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (Fuller Theological Seminary) is the author of numerous books and articles. Among his publications are The Trinity: Global Perspectives (Westminster John Knox Press, 2007), One With God: Salvation as Deification and Justification (Liturgical Press, 2004), and Trinity and Religious Pluralism: The Doctrine of the Trinity in Christian Theology of Religions (Ashgate, 2004). Most recently, Kärkkäinen has edited a volume called The Spirit in the World:  Emerging Pentecostal Theologies in Global Contexts (Eerdmans, 2009). The closing banquet of the 2010 meeting will feature a conversation with Kärkkäinen about these emerging theologies. Frank Macchia (Vanguard University), contributor to the volume and author of Baptized in the Spirit:  A Global Pentecostal Theology, will facilitate this conversation.

Estrelda Alexander (Regent University) is author of The Women of Azusa Street (Pilgrim Press, 2007) and Limited Liberty:  The Life and Legacy of Four Pentecostal Women Pioneers (Pilgrim Press, 2008). She will deliver the Presidential Address entitled “When Liberation Becomes Survival.”

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Purchase SPS Papers

Interest Group papers submitted by the announced deadline are available for purchase via online access and on CD-ROM. The projected date of availability for online access is February 22, 2010, at which time purchasers will be emailed a user name and password. You may then access the papers via this link: www.sps-usa.org/meetings/papers10. Papers will also be available on CD-ROM. These may be purchased during registration to be picked up at the conference. The cost of papers is $25 for online access, $30 for the CD-ROM, or $35 for both online access and CD-ROM.

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Accommodations

The host hotel is the Minneapolis Radisson Plaza Hotel, the flagship hotel of the Radisson chain, which is headquartered in a Minneapolis suburb. The Minneapolis Radisson Plaza is located at 35 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 (click address for map).

Reservations may be made at (612) 339-4900, via fax at (612) 337-9766 or online. Hotel reservations should be made by February 9 to ensure the conference rate of $120 per night (plus applicable taxes) for up to two guests. Rollaways for up to two additional guests per room may be added for $15 per night per rollaway. Mention that you are with the Society for Pentecostal Studies in order to get the conference rate. 

We encourage participants to make their reservations early as a limited number of rooms are available, especially for those planning to arrive on Wednesday.

Thursday day-time sessions, the Friday evening session, the lunch discussion on the emergent church, and the Saturday banquet will take place at the Minneapolis Radisson Plaza Hotel. All other sessions will take place on the North Central University campus.

North Central University is located at 910 Elliot Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55404 (click address for map), and the University's main phone number is (612) 343-4400. North Central University is less than a mile from the Minneapolis Radisson Plaza Hotel.

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Transportation and Parking

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is a major airport with flight service by most major American airlines and many international airlines. In addition, it is a Delta/Northwest hub.

The MSP airport has two terminals: the (main) Lindberg Terminal; and the Humphrey Terminal. Air Tran, Champion, Iceland Air, Midwest, Sun Country, and several charter services fly out of the Humphrey Terminal. The other airlines use the Lindberg Terminal. A free tram connects the terminals.

Taxi service, shuttles, and bus service are available from the MSP airport. The cheapest and simplest way to get to downtown Minneapolis where the SPS annual meeting is being held is via Light Rail Transit (LRT). For information about using the LRT, see "Using Light Rail Transit" listed below.

An alternative is the Super Shuttle, which costs about $16 plus tip each way for a shared ride. The phone number for the Minneapolis-St. Paul office of Super Shuttle is (612) 827-7777.

Those staying at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis may park cars there for an additional fee ($18 per weekday and $5 per day on the weekend, with in-and-out privileges). North Central University will provide free parking on its campus from 3 p.m. Thursday, March 4, through 12:00 noon Sunday, March 7.

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Using Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Overview

A very convenient and inexpensive way to get to the conference hotel (Radisson Plaza Minneapolis) from the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is via light rail transit (LRT). The trip takes about 25 minutes and for most people costs either $1.75 or $2.25, depending on the time of day. (For Seniors the fare is only $.75 during non-rush hours, and for the disabled it is $.75 at any time.)

While more LRT lines are now being designed, the Twin Cities Metro currently has only one functioning LRT. It is called the Hiawatha (Route 55) Line.

Stops and Hours of Operation

When travelling back and forth from the airport to the conference hotel, the stations to keep in mind are the two LRT stations at the airport (one at each terminal) and the Nicollet Mall LRT Station (which is about two-and-a-half blocks from the Radisson Plaza Minneapolis).

The Hiawatha Line LRT operates each day from 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. The trains come about every 7 or 8 minutes during rush hour (6:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-6:30 p.m.), about every 10 minutes during mid-day, and about every 15 minutes in the evening.

Buying Tickets

Tickets may be purchased from vending machines located at or near the LRT stations. While these machines take bills ($1, $5, $10, and $20 bills) and coins, the easiest way to purchase tickets is by using credit cards. VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are all accepted.

LRT tickets do not specify either the place of departure or the destination. A person holding a ticket may ride the LRT anywhere he or she desires for a period of two-and-a-half hours from the time of purchase.

At the Lindberg Terminal LRT Station the ticket vending machines are located up the escalators from the train platform. The ticket vending machines are located on the train platform at the Humphrey Terminal LRT Station and Nicollet Mall LRT Station.

Getting to the Airport LRT Station

There are two terminals at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: the (main) Lindberg Terminal, and the smaller Humphrey Terminal. While there are LRT stations associated with each terminal, it is necessary to take a free 30-second tram ride from the Lindberg Terminal to the Lindberg Terminal LRT Station. A five-minute walk is required to get from the Humphrey Terminal to the Humphrey Terminal LRT Station.

Getting to the Radisson Plaza Hotel from the Nicollet Mall LRT Station

From the Nicollet Mall LRT station (1) walk half a block west to Nicollet Avenue, (2) walk two blocks south on Nicollet to S. 7th Street, and then (3) walk half a block west to the Radisson Plaza Hotel, which will be on the left side of the street.

View a map of this short walk >>

For More Information

For more information, please check the MetroTransit, Hiawatha Line.

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Directions

View a campus map and directions to North Central University.

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Meals

Light refreshments will be served during the reception on Thursday night as well as during the morning and afternoon breaks on Friday and Saturday.

Bag lunches for Friday and Saturday at the university may be purchased at registration. Tickets for meal functions at the hotel should be purchased in advance. These include the Women’s Caucus Breakfast on Friday ($20), the lunch discussion on “Pentecostalism and the Emergent Church” on Saturday ($24), and the banquet on Saturday evening ($36). For more information see the full program brochure.

Evening meals on Thursday and Friday are on your own and not available through conference registration.

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Minneapolis: Special Sights

Some conference attendees may want to visit the Mall of America while they are in Minnesota.

A convenient way to do this is via the LRT. The conference hotel is near one end of the Hiawatha Line; the Mall of America is at the other end. A one-way trip from the Nicollet Mall LRT station (the one nearest the conference hotel) to the Mall of America LRT station lasts about 35 minutes. From the Metrodome LRT station (the station closest to North Central University, about five blocks away) the trip lasts about 30 minutes. The prices are the same as for the trip to or from the airport.

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Special Accommodations

For inquiries regarding accessibility issues due to a disability, contact:
Anh Weinacht (612) 343-4767.

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Society Officers and Meeting Personnel

The officers of the Society for Pentecostal Studies are:

Estrelda Alexander, President
Kimberly Ervin Alexander, First Vice-President/Program Chair
David Roebuck, Executive Director
Dan Neary, Secretary Treasurer
Amos Yong, Immediate Past President
Frank Macchia, Pneuma Editor
David Massey, Webmaster

The Program Committee for the 2010 Annual Meeting is:

Kimberly Ervin Alexander, Chair
David G. Roebuck, Executive Director
Glenn Menzies, On-Site Coordinator
David Bundy, Library & Research
Eric Williams, Diversity
Sang-Ehil Han, Asian American
Lee Roy Martin, Bible
Katherine L. Attanasi, Christian Ethics
Tony Richie, Ecumenical Studies
Daniel Ramirez, History
DeLonn Rance, Missions
Louis “Bill” Oliverio, Philosophy
Lisa M. Long, Practical Theology/Christian Formation
Abraham Ruelas, Religion & Culture
Peter Althouse, Theology

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Exhibitors

Publishers, ministries, and other vendors are welcome to reserve display tables or sponsor events during the conference. Some sponsorships provide complimentary exhibitor privileges and special recognition at the meeting. The Conference affords a rare opportunity to reach the largest gathering of thought leaders of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

For an information packet, call Kim Roebuck at (423) 614-8577 or send an email to kroebuck@leeuniversity.edu. Please include your mailing address and fax and phone numbers in your phone message or email.

See the Exhibitor and Sponsor Options page for more information and to reserve some options.

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Registration

Online Registration now available
Early Registration rates apply through February 4, 2010.
Online Registration closes after February 28, 2010.

Alternatively, you may print, complete, and mail this Registration Form with your payment to the address provided at the end of the form.

Onsite Registration at the meeting is expected to be held in Denmark Commons of the Radisson Plaza Hotel beginning on Wednesday afternoon, March 3, and at North Central University on Friday and Saturday mornings, March 5-6.

The Ithiel Clemmons Minority Scholarship Fund has been established to assist minority and women students in attending the SPS Annual Meeting. For more information, please download the scholarship guidelines.

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Parallel Session Paper Deadline and Format Specifications
Guidelines for Chairpersons

Download the Format Specifications and Guidelines.

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SPS Interest Group Leaders

Asian American
Sang-Ehil Han (2010)

Bible
Lee Roy Martin (2010)

Christian Ethics
Katherine L. Attanasi (2012)

Ecumenical Studies
Tony Richie (2011)

History
Daniel Ramirez (2012)

Missions
DeLonn Rance (2011)

Philosophy
Louis “Bill” Oliverio (2011)

Practical Theology/Christian Formation
Lisa M. Long (2012)

Religion & Culture
Abraham Ruelas (2012)

Theology
Peter Althouse (2012)

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