How important are big events and trips in ministry?

This past weekend I got to attend a weekend retreat with some Jr. High Students.  We had a great time.  The program was amazing as usual, but I was once again left with the same question in my mind.  Do big events and trips really make that big of a difference in junior high ministry?

It is interesting that we have some students who don’t show up for a month, but then register to go on trips with us.  I have other students who are here every week and will never go on a trip with us.  It is the same way with large events at our church, some will come and others will not.  I used to get frustrated at this, but I finally realized that this was out of my control.  I also still had the same question.  Do big events and trips really make that big of a difference in junior high ministry?

I love the fact that I get to spend a large quantity of time with students on trips.  It can be overwhelming to work with students when you only get to see them for 1, 2, or 3 hours a week.  This means when I know I can get 24 -48 hours with students on a weekend I get really excited.  I try to take advantage of all that time and encourage students when they do something good.  Correct them when I see some bad choices being made, and let them see me in real life instead of just on Sunday or Wednesday.  Then there is the flip side of all the extra time spent together.  There are students who can really get on your nerves in a very short time, so I still have the same question.  Do big events and trips really make that big of a difference in junior high ministry?

I always enjoy watching a student learn responsibility or compassion when we are together on a trip.  I love watching a student think about the fact that they really want a t-shirt, but they only have five dollars left and we have not bought supper yet.  I love to see them learning how to make decisions about life skills.  I love seeing how some students will reach out to others when they are hurting, or when they have made a bad choice.  This past weekend I had a student who spent all his money before supper, and another student reached out to him and bought him something.  I had another student who decided to hang out with a certain boy because that boy had a tendency to wander away and be by himself.  That is true compassion.  Then there are other students who just never get it.  But my question still stands.  Do big events and trips really make that big of a difference in junior high ministry?

Trips can be exciting as students sing in the van.  Big events can be great as students invite tons of friends to come have a great time.  Trips can be awesome as we can learn so much about a group of students.  Big events can be awesome as we introduce somebody to Jesus for the first time.  I love these opportunities so much, but I still wonder about that question.  Do big events and trips really make that big of a difference in junior high ministry?

What do you think?  What is your opinion on this question?  Don’t just sit there and think about it!  Give me your answer and keep the discussion going. Leave a comment with your opinion!