Tonight will be another night of costumed children knocking on doors for treats and roaming the neighborhoods. For some Christians, it's a dark holiday that they want to keep their kids from joining. For other believers, it's a night turned holy with opportunity for outreach.
Halloween is estimated to represent a $6 billion annual market in consumer goods and services. So although many believers don't want to endorse a holiday that's rooted in pagan rituals and aimed at appeasing the spirit world, as Christian author Dianne E. Butts states in the North American Mission Board's On Mission magazine, "what can we do when neighborhood ghouls come ringing our doorbells expecting a treat?”
“Turn off the lights and hide in the dark?"
Jane Dratz of youth ministry Dare 2 Share acknowledges the diverse views of Halloween held by Christians – from "fun-filled, sugar high for little kids in cute costumes to an evil holiday which focuses on the occult, devils, and all things dark and demonic."
So what should Christians do when the little trick-or-treaters come to town?
Don't let the opportunity for outreach slip by, Dratz suggests.
With children's safety one of the biggest concerns of parents on Halloween night, some churches are setting up game booths and treat tables to provide a safe and fun area for their local communities.
It's a good introduction tool for churches, says Richard Leach, director of servant and community evangelism at the North American Mission Board – the domestic mission agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.
But it's important to remember that families aren't coming to be evangelized, Leach cautions. Rather, events like these can build bridges for sharing the Gospel.
"The fall calendar offers a perfect opportunity for combining trick or treating and relationship-building with your community,” says Leach. “Events held on the church property offer a combination of safety, fun and an introduction to the local church.”
First Southern Baptist Church On Mill in Tempe, Ariz., sent out invitations by placing about 1,000 door hangers in two nearby neighborhoods in the last couple of weeks. And the church has trained volunteers to share Christ with children.
When talking to peers, Dratz suggests sharing some truths of the Bible about topics of death and dying.
"Open up the God-talk dialogue with your friends," says Dratz, with such questions as "Does all the imagery of Halloween, like ghosts and ghouls and devils and witches, ever make you feel uncomfortable?
"Ask your friends if they think people have a soul? Do they believe in an afterlife? Use the opportunity to share about God's free gift of eternal life through Jesus gift of salvation,” the youth ministry worker adds.
"Why do you think some people enjoy pretend-scary experiences like haunted houses?"
Some conservative churches prefer to use a scarier outreach approach.
Pastor Keenan Roberts of New Destiny Christian Center in Thornton, Colo., has created a Halloween outreach tool called Hell House. It's not a celebration of Halloween nor is it a Halloween event, he explained.
"It is the church taking advantage of America's cultural influence of the haunted house. ... It's the church absolutely capitalizing on the time of year," said Roberts, according to USA Today.
Hell House is a haunted house-style attraction that participants walk through. It features several "scenes" depicting the consequences or divine judgments of abortion, homosexuality and drunkenness among other things. The last scene is a portrayal of heaven. Many Christians disapprove of the method of scaring people into conversion and of the portrayal of sins.
At McLean Bible Church in McLean, Va., last week's "Terror Maze" for junior high students drew over 2,000 people, over 100 first-time decisions and more than 700 students rededicating their lives to Christ.
For those just giving out candy this year, outreach is still possible. Butts recommends that churchgoers drop published tracts or an "Admit One Free" ticket into trick-or-treat bags, inviting both the child and the parents – who usually check candy bags for safety – to their church service,.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we used this holiday to reach out with the love of Christ to those neighbors we don’t usually see the rest of the year?" Butts said.
Comments
The Bible teachs we are an example to the younger generation... elders, teachers and leaders. In Romans 14, Paul urges us to not judge another faith. However, he warns us of our liberties, not to take them lightly. We might be strong and if a new member sees us doing something questionable. It might cause them to fall. Christians, let us be mindful of others watching us.
When we lived in North America, we didn't like the dark aspects of Halloween, but we thought it was a great opportunity for sharing the gospel - people were knocking on OUR door! So, we gave out tracts with the treats. No big deal.
I really don't care much what other Christians do for the day - you can party your socks off, or ignore it completely. It's important that each person PRAY and seek God beforehand, though. Don't just do something because "that's what we've always done." It may be that He wants you to do something different every year. Maybe one year He wants you to be prayer warriors, covering all those involved in the day in protective prayer, asking for guidance for those who plan to evangelise... Another year He might want you to go out into the thick of things and meet people, build relationships and share about Jesus. We are all part of the Body of Christ, with different jobs to do. I find it really sad that some Christians here will berate others for their choices on this matter.
Our family has been called to deal with the day differently than others the last few years (I've explained the reasons why on another related article). Because we no longer live in North America, it's not such a big issue. There are very few trick-or-treaters here. We choose not to acknowledge the day with costumes and what-not, and we certainly don't promote it. Instead, though, we pray especially for those trapped in the occult or vulnerable to its pull. We pray for safety of those out and about, and for God's blessing on them all. We pray that God will reveal Himself to them in a very real and wonderful way. We pray against any demonic forces/activities, that they will have no power and influence.
I don't know where people get the idea that non-participating Christians are scared of the day. Every day is made and ruled by God. What do we have to be scared of? People knocking on our door so we can share the love of God with them? Yikes. lol. We have nothing at all to fear. "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world."
Some Christians see Halloween as a bit of harmless fun and fellowship, others see it as a tool for evangelism, and still others see it as an opportunity for spiritual warfare. No matter how we look at it, Halloween, like every other day, is filled with opportunities to serve the Lord and one another.
Good point, Will E. I handed out candy in a mask of a scary old man.The kids loved it.It was purely for entertainment purposes.I enjoyed it as much as they did.
So, honestly, dressing up as Dracula or a zombie or demon or Freddy Krueger or whatever, you honestly think that makes you less of a Christian? I really don't get it. Is God gonna "get you" if you do? Are you inviting Satan into your Halloween party if you have a costume of him on? Come on, really, people. We're all grown-ups here.
Well said, photche.I couldn't agree more.As a Christian I certainly understand why parents would want to dress their kids as Princesses or Firemen rather than demons(although I've never seen a demon personally and don't know what one really looks like).I think the lady at church judging me for wearing a Batman t-shirt really opened my eyes to how paranoid we can be.Making sound decisions is definitely the Christian thing to do.Thanks for the good word!!
As a Christian, I personally think it's okay to celebrate Halloween as long as one avoids the darker (demonic/satanic) themes. It can definitely be harmless fun for little kids dressed up in cute custumes. I don't think that "Christians cower and skitter in fear over a harmless fun holiday"... I just think some Christians try to be conscientious about the decisions they make and the impression they give others. How we live our life matters in terms of witnessing to others.
The best Haunted House I have ever been to is the one put on by Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.If you have a chance to go to "Scare Mare", I highly recommend it.I say all of this, because I think it shows that churches(and for those of you who don't know, this is the college Jerry Falwell founded) and similar organizations can use this as an opportunity to reach people instead of using it in a divisive way.I went out on Halloween as a kid to get candy.I wasn't even thinking about Satan.Also, I didn't turn out to be a Satan worshipper as a result of it.I even had a lady at a church function tell me that it was wrong for me to wear a Batman shirt, because bats are a symbol of evil, and I was promoting that.I told her that God created bats, and that we were the ones that assigned evil to it.I have more respect for my fellow Christians who in good conscience cannot celebrate Halloween than I do the ones Wt mentions who have fall festivals on October 31st and tell everbody to stay away from Halloween.It comes across as hypocritical.
Hey, Will E., interesting how you got lots of thumbs-down, but no one willing to give a counterpoint to your statement. THERE's that insecurity!
Sigh! I Just one more none problem too many Christians worry about. Seems like they need something to distract themselves from the fact they are morally ambiguous as the rest of the world.
In the '70s and early '80s, when I grew up, we had Halloween costume parties in the church basement! I simply find it sad the way some Christians cower and skitter in fear over a harmless fun holiday. Their faith is so great, but if an 8-year-old dresses up as Dracula or a ghost or, heaven forfend, Harry Potter, it can all come crashing down around them. Insecure much?
Where does the Christian aspect of the holiday come into play? In 835, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later all saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as All Hallow’s Even or “holy evening.” Eventually the name was shortened to the current Halloween. On November 2, the Church celebrates All Souls Day.
What actually amuses me is, the "Fall Harvest" festivals that churches often have are closer how the pagans celebrated this time of year, than the secular Hallowe'en they are trying to distance themselves from.