It allows them to grow closer to each other, work together for common goals, and showcase their talents to others, as well as add praise and beauty to our services. Peer groups are primary motivators in our culture. Among youth, and even small children they often form a bond that can supercede even parents or church. An important goal of our children and youth program is to form peer groups of our children within our family so they do not have to look elsewhere for values and bonding. This is important to keep their lives focused on their families and their church.
Fellowship is a start.
Of course, all of the above programs in other areas create fellowship among our children and youth as well as those below under outreach. This is the synergy we were talking about among the five guiding precepts and all our children and youth programs. They have Bible study, trips, recreational events, retreats, and lock-ins, besides all the projects they do together to raise money for all these activities. Our youth attend synod, district, and other youth gatherings where they not only meet new friends, gather new excitement, and see new places, they also bond and grow closer with each other through shared memories and experiences. For our very youngest we have special events and parties so they can be with each other, learn to feel our closeness, and have fun in a Christian setting.