An Attitude of Gratitude— The Ministry of Encouragement has a simple mission: thanking the overworked.

Profile
Name: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Cause: Ministry of Encouragement
Mission: To say thank you to community volunteers and staff who are overworked and underappreciated.
Organizations Thanked: Six per year and 15 in total.

Good Shepherd Lutheran in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is a small church with a big heart.

As part of the church’s Ministry of Encouragement, and in conjunction with the Albemarle Sound Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, teams from the 120-member congregation seek out the overworked in their community and throw them a thank-you party, leaving them with the knowledge that, whether it’s a job or volunteer work, what they do is a ministry to the community.

“People we visit are usually first surprised, and second overwhelmed,” says chair of servent outreach, Ruth Vogelpohl. “Nobody’s ever said ‘thank you’ and not wanted anything in return.”

Good Shepherd sends approximately six teams per year to groups such as Albemarle Hospice in Elizabeth City, and Guardian Ad Litem, volunteer advocates who offer encouragement and aid to children in the court system.

In the case of H.L. Trigg School, the county’s alternative school, one “act of thank you” led to a partnership. Several years ago, Good Shepherd volunteers threw a welcome-back party for school staff—and the party hasn’t stopped. Through the Care Abounds in Communities® program of Thrivent Financial, members of Good Shepherd have held painting parties, Join Hands Day events and car washes for the school.

Vogelpohl hopes Good Shepherd’s example will encourage other congregations to say thanks.

“In any community, you can walk around and look and see who are the people who don’t get public thank yous, but the system would not function without them there. Those are the people who need thanks.”

—Sarah Asp

Read the top tips for starting your own ministry of encouragement.