Dennis Murphy

Abstract

Dewitt Community Church (DCC) and other Christian Churches were examined in the attempt to create a program of hospitality that was not present at DCC. There was a shift in research due to the lack of a similar model elsewhere. Studying the leadership and membership at DCC as well as trying new ideas became the basis for the study. The importance of people spending time together and serving side by side is established. Christian Hospitality is defined and added to secular restaurant management wisdom to create a Hospitality Ministry at DCC. This included a weekly brunch that was new in that the preparation, serving and clean up were intended to be done by a changing cross section of those who attend rather than a small committee serving the crowd. The brunch evolved into a successful gathering of people who otherwise wouldn't have connected. Added to this experiment were several other attempts at fellowship, a key component of Christian Hospitality. These other new events included catering wedding and funeral receptions at the church, a weekly men's breakfast, a weekly small group meeting, a women' s ministry, a family concert and a Vacation Bible School (VBS). The findings of this research are often surprising but support the position that the new hospitality adds to the experience of those attending DCC. The implication is present that this type of hospitality lends itself to many types of personal interactions .

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Hospitality--Religious aspects--Christianity; Dewitt Community Church (Rochester, NY)

Publication Date

2002

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Hospitality and Tourism Management (CAST)

Advisor

Jacobs, James Jr

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: BV4647.H67 M876 2002

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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