MUMC’s Pastor Hitts earns Doctor of Ministry degree
Rev. Susan Hitts, courtesy photo. She stated, “Church members posted this sign on my office door when I passed my defense in March, officially making me a doctor.”
submitted by Manchester United Methodist Church
Rev. Susan Hitts of Manchester United Methodist Church has reached a significant milestone, earning her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Her degree will be officially conferred on May 16.
Over the past three years, Rev. Hitts has focused her research on how churches can better understand and welcome people who experience the world in different neurological ways, often referred to as neurodiversity. Her doctoral publication, entitled “Developing Hospitality for Neurodiverse People within a Christian Community via Clergy Education,” included data from training clergy across the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Through this project, she equipped church leaders with tools to better support and include neurodiverse individuals in congregational life.
One year ago, her unpublished work received academic recognition when it won The William and Carolyn Anderson Applied Theology Competition at United Theological Seminary. This award honors students who demonstrate strong critical thinking and apply theology to real-world challenges. Though this award is typically only reserved for one student at graduation, Rev. Hitts was recognized mid-program due to her innovative work in authoring her original framework, the “Theology of Neurodiversity.”
According to Rev. Hitts, research suggests that as many as one in five people think, learn, or interact in ways that differ from the majority around them. However, many churches are still structured around a single set of expectations for communication, behavior, and participation. This mismatch can create unintentional barriers, leaving some individuals feeling misunderstood or excluded. Rev. Hitts’ work challenges churches to move beyond simply being friendly and instead become more aware of how their practices may impact others. She encourages congregations to examine their assumptions, improve communication, and create environments where diverse ways of engaging the world are recognized and valued.
This perspective emphasizes that true hospitality is not just about welcoming people, but about making space for them to fully belong. Her research highlights that when churches embrace a wider range of human experiences, the entire community is strengthened. Consequently, inclusion is not an added effort, but a faithful expression of what it means to live in community together and honor the worth of each person.
Rev. Dr. Susan Hitts, who also holds a Master of Business Administration, continues to serve the local church while contributing to broader conversations within the Christian community. She has already presented her findings through the Bishop Ough Innovation Center and is looking forward to future speaking engagements to continue the conversation regarding neurodiversity and the church.
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