Philmont Bostic
4847 Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, Washington 98408
PhilmontBostic@gmail.com, 206-659-7445
Education
Ph.D., 2025 (expected), Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida
Dissertation: “Laughing in Zion: Humor as Praxis in African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Preaching” (Wanjiru M. Gitau, Dissertation Chair)
Master of Divinity, 2022, Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and Leadership, 2021, Horizon University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Publications
Book review of Edwards, Korie L., and Michelle Oyakawa. Smart Suits, Tattered Boots: Black Ministers Mobilizing the Black Church in the Twenty-First Century. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2022. https://readingreligion.org/9781479812530/smart-suits-tattered-boots/
"But God: The Power of Reversal Humor in Spiritual Formation." International Journal of Humanities Art and Social Science 4, no. 4 (May 2024). https://pike-lily-npna.squarespace.com/s/But-God-The-Power-of-Reversal-Humor-in-Spiritual-Formation.pdf
“A Comedian in the Pulpit: Empowering the Use of Humor in Preaching.” Religions 14, no. 9 (2023): 1155. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091155.
Book Review of Jennifer Caplan, Funny You Don’t Look Funny: Judaism and Humor from the Silent Generation to Millennials. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press, 2023. https://readingreligion.org/9780814347317/funny-you-dont-look-funny/
Presentations
“The Turnaround God: Reversal Humor in the Black Church Context.” Poster presentation, Academy of Homiletics, December 2024.
“Laughing to Overcome Crying: Humor as a Tool to Overcome Slavery.” Conference paper, Association of Professors of Mission, South Bend, Indiana, June 2024.
“Black Churches Matter: The Black Church Finding Space in a Gentrified Context.” Conference paper, American Academy of Religion Pacific Northwest Conference, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, May 2024.
“Black Suffering and Black Hope: Humor as a Response to Theodicy.” Conference presentation, Palm Beach Atlantic University, April 2024.
“The Intersection between Humor and Hip Hop.” Conference presentation, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida, February 2024.
“But God: The Power of Reversal Humor in Spiritual Formation.” Conference presentation, Palm Beach Atlantic University, December 2023.
“Preaching and Comedy.” Invited lecture, Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, April 2023.
“A Comedian in the Pulpit.” Conference presentation, Palm Beach Atlantic University, April 2023.
“The Black Preacher as a Hebrew Prophet.” Conference presentation, Palm Beach Atlantic University, December 2022.
“Sexual Harassment Training.” District Conference of the Johnson City District, May 2018.
“Church Growth.” District Conference of the Johnson City District, May 2019.
Academic Conference Roles
Conference Co-chair, American Academy of Religion Pacific Northwest Regional Conference, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, April 2025
Convenor, Conference, Palm Beach Atlantic University, December 2023
Facilitator, Kairos University Gathering, February 2023
Convenor, Conference, Palm Beach Atlantic University, April 2022
Academic and Pastoral Experience
Faculty Mentor, 2024-present
· Assist students in achieving academic goals
· Grading work for proficiency
· Develop plans for academic success
Pastor, 2011-present
Increased congregation size from 5 to 120 members through leadership and community outreach programs.
Delivered over 400 sermons, focusing on engaging the congregation through humor and spiritual formation.
Developed Christian education materials and facilitated church planting training.
Led several successful church-building projects and served on local boards.
Supervised and mentored pastors, overseeing their professional and spiritual growth.
Conducted funeral services and provided pastoral care to families.
Vice President of San Diego Ministers Alliance (current role), helping guide regional clergy initiatives.
Presiding Elder, 2018-2020
Managed district properties, ensuring proper maintenance and financial stewardship.
Licensed preachers and taught classes on church growth and leadership.
Led district-wide training programs, including sessions on sexual harassment prevention.
Honors and Awards
President's Award, International Ministers and Lay Association, Charlotte, North Carolina, February 2022
Theta Alpha Kappa, National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology, Membership Induction, 2024
Teaching Interest
Practical Theology ● Homiletics ● Black Theology ●Ecclesiology ● Theology and Culture
Research Interest
Humor and Theology ● Black Preaching ● Hip Hop and the Black Church
List of Professional Societies
Academy of Homiletics, 2024-present
American Academy of Religion, 2023-present
American Humor Studies Association, 2023-present
Association of Practical Theology, 2024-present
Association for the Study of Play, 2023-present
International Society for Humor Studies, 2023-present
Ordination History
Advent Christian Church, Minister of Word and Sacrament, 2022
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Elder, 2016; Deacon, 2011