Bigger and Better

It has become one of the best events we do every year.  The concept is really simple. 

The outcomes are hilarious.  And our annual “Bigger and Better” event serves as a great reminder that you don’t need much to have a ton of fun.

If you’ve never participated in “Bigger and Better or had a group of teenagers show up at your doorstep unannounced while playing the beloved game, then let me explain the basics for you.  First, students show up at church.  We split them into groups and give them an adult do drive them around.  Then we give them time limit and a small object, something like a penny or paperclip.   Then we tell them the goal is to be the group who brings back the biggest and best items by trading one item for the next.  Each year we score the event and determine a winner differently, to add a twist and a chance for any group to win.

Pretty simple.  Teenagers being driven around for an hour or so, collecting as much junk as they can haul back to the church.  I’m not sure why this event has gained the admiration of our students.  But for whatever reason it has.  It’s an event that is always a success and always something we look forward to in the Next Gen Ministry Department.

During our latest event I was thinking about how the real beauty of the event is that while the groups are driven to get something “Bigger and Better” until the time runs out – they typically bring back little of value.  Most people who are willing to trade find something in their house they haven’t had the chance or the heart to haul out, so this random group of teenagers becomes the perfect team for the task.

But it’s not about the stuff that they bring back.  It’s about the experience.  It’s about the memories.  It’s about all of the random things that happen, and the hilarity that ensues.  That’s what “Bigger and Better” is all about.

I think too often we forget the truth that it’s about the journey not the destination.  In this case the destination turned out to be some dusty recliners, a vase, a myriad of old TVs, and a Teletubbie.  While the groups thought they were getting something “Bigger and Better” the real value was in the experience.  It was through connecting with others, being vulnerable and risking what they had that they truly walked away better.  Sometimes we buy into the American Dream and push and pursue what we think is “Bigger and Better”, and in the process we miss what’s truly valuable.