A Guide for Room in the Inn Innkeepers

Thanks for agreeing to serve as an Innkeeper / Host for our Room in the Inn program, a ministry of hospitality for the homeless of Nashville. Tonight you are but one of a number of volunteers throughout Nashville in ministry with nearly 300 persons in need of a place to stay.

As you participate tonight, it is important to remember the goal of Room in the Inn:

The final goal of Room in the Inn is to offer hospitality in the name of Jesus, rather than giving charity in the name of our church.

This goal reminds us that we are inspired to serve not out of guilt or obligation, but in our belief that the presence of Christ is found in the midst of those in need. As you sit and talk with the guests who are making our church their home for the evening, take a moment to look for the presence of Christ in your conversations, both in what you say and what is shared with you.

 

Duties:

The primary task of the Innkeeper is to ensure that our guests have what they need, to provide security for the church and our guests, and to generally be a living presence of Christ and our church. This is a ministry of presence where what you say isn’t as important as how you live out your faith in the presence of others.

There are two primary times when your help is most specifically needed: preparing for the arrival of our guests, and ensuring that they are ready for the bus in the morning and that the building is left in reasonably decent shape. Here are two checklists to help you remind you of your tasks:

 

Evening Checklist

Before arrival…

  • Arrive at the church between 5 and 5:30 p.m. and get the keys to the Room in the Inn closet from the Dutton’s mailbox.
  • Put out the mattresses with pillows and sheets in the Christian Life Center (gym) along the walls.
  • Place a folding chair beside each mattress.
  • Put a table by the men’s restroom and place towels, washcloths, etc. on it.
  • Stock two trays with razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. Place them in the men’s restroom.
  • Start two pots of coffee in the Fellowship Hall (all of the coffee supplies are in the Fellowship Hall).
  • Familiarize yourself with the television in the Fellowship Hall. In order to change channels you will have to use the remote for the satellite dish.

 

After the guests arrive…

  • Review the house rules, which are posted throughout the CLC. If you have persons who speak Spanish only, please direct them to the Spanish versions of the rules.
  • Have someone offer a prayer before dinner. It is best to ask our guests if any of them would like to lead this prayer, but if no one volunteers offer this prayer yourself.
  • Allow the guests to get their meal first, but then make sure to sit with the guests rather than sticking with your other innkeeper. Our goal is to help our guests feel welcome.
  • Many guests will want to head to bed immediately following dinner. It is probably best to turn out the mercury vapor lights after dinner and use the incandescent dimmers to limit the brightness in the gym.
  • Be available to help with needs as they arise. We keep a supply of Advil, antacid, band-aids, and other needs in the first aid kit in the kitchen, which is located beside the microwave.
  • Help Bonnie (our haircutter) as needed, keeping an eye on her and her son.
  • Before bed, make sure to prepare 2 coffee pots for breakfast so that you won’t have to in the morning.
  • Most of the men will lie down after dinner. Some will watch television. Turn all the lights out in the gym when you see the majority of the guests lie down.
  • You are free to go to bed at this time. You may sleep on a mattress on the floor, or on the sofa in the youth room.

 

Morning Checklist

  • Wake up around 4:30 a.m.
  • Make (or turn on) coffee.
  • Put out cereal, bowls, spoons, juice, cups, milk, sugar, etc. The cereal is located in the cabinet above the ice machine.
  • Pass out the lunches (one per person, please!).
  • Create piles for towels and sheets. The blankets will be returned to Room in the Inn.
  • Straighten up and clean up eating area.
  • After the guys leave, turn off the coffee pots.
  • Put the keys back in the Dutton’s mailbox.
  • Make sure that all the lights are turned out.
  • Be sure that all doors are locked.
  • Go home!!!

 

In case of emergency…

...please call the following in this order:

  • 911
  • Jay Voorhees – (615) 673-4236
  • Room in the Inn Office – (615) 251-7064
  • Rick and Debbie Dutton – (615) 331-3311

If you have problems with our guests, such as fighting, alcohol on breath, drug use, sexual misconduct, or simply causing trouble, call Room in the Inn at (615) 251-7064.

 

The House Rules:

  • No smoking in the building.
    If you want to smoke, please go outside the front entrance, making sure to prop open the door so that you won’t be locked out.
  • Laundry may be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
    The laundry room is located next to the men’s restroom. We have set the washing machine to only use cold water in consideration of those who are showering.
  • This is a church, so please watch your language. No profanity please.
  • Wake up time is 5:00 a.m. The bus will leave promptly at 5:45 a.m., following breakfast.
  • Please help us in putting away the mattresses in the morning, and in putting the sheets and towels in the appropriate places.
  • You are welcome to watch TV in the Fellowship Hall. Please use the satellite remote to change the channels.