Halloween

Originally Posted 10/10/10

Yes, I believe and follow Jesus, and I will participate in our local neighborhood Halloween activities this year!Well, I’m sure that I may have lost many of you in that first statement, but for those of you who are still reading, I would like to talk about why my family does engage in Halloween. This time of year there is always a lot of talk about why Christians should avoid Halloween and celebrate an “alternative” instead. In the past I have agreed with that viewpoint, and my intention here is not to discredit what God is leading you or your church to do as an alternative to Halloween. In some geographical/cultural contexts these alternatives (fall festivals, as they are often called) are effective. But in the context of our family and what we are trying to do (being very intentional with a mission-focused discipleship in our community), I thought I would share my reasons for participating in our local Halloween activities. Please keep in mind that this is my opinion, but one formed out of a deep conviction from the Holy Spirit.First, to clarify, I am not saying that I believe in or practice Halloween as some innocent, helpless activity. I have read the research, seen the videos, and listened to the well-educated, respected teachers that expose Halloween and certain practices of it as evil or demonic. I do agree that Halloween does have some of its roots deeply embedded in occultist activities. I do believe that it is one day above many others when darkness reigns and demonic activities are practiced. However, I feel that as commanded-disciple-makers it needs to be a very strategic day in our own mission. In a very famous, heavily quoted scripture, Jesus himself says: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house…” (Matt. 5:14,15). Does it not make sense then that if Halloween is associated with and marked by so many “dark activities,” as children of God this should be the one day that our light should shine its brightest? However, if we decide to not participate and hide out in some church building or don’t answer the door for “trick or treaters,” is that not like putting our light under the bowl? I just finished reading Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole. What stuck out to me more than anything else was the fact that the author intentionally started churches in very “dark places.” They purposefully went to spiritually dark places. One example was a place called Portfolios -- in the author’s own words, “What was once a hangout for witches, warlocks, Satanists, and vampires… turned into holy ground.” Eventually, three different churches were started from converts made within that place. What if they had not taken the light of Christ into that dark place? It is surely something to consider. If we continue to take our light out of dark places, then I am afraid that the darkness will be unrestrained and cover up anything in its path.Second, I feel that Jesus specifically has a special interest in children (Matt. 19:14, Mark 10:14). One of the arguments against the practice of Halloween holds to the idea that putting on a mask and costume is somehow related to the “opening up” of doors to the spirit world that could be harmful to the person. If this is the case, then it is even more critical for me to make attempts to combat that, to stand in my doorway and greet trick-or-treaters with some light and truth. We had this idea last year too, that when we gave children candy, Jesus would somehow have a presence in it. But we underestimated the number of children and did not have enough to go around. This year we are better prepared and hope to not just give out candy, but also Hope, Truth and Love. It is subtle but intentional, and we hope to not just put candy in their baskets, but pieces of the Good News. Last year there were over 50 kids that came to our door. Don’t think for one minute that I am going to keep my light turned off, sit in my living room, hide out, and not open my door. Rather, I plan to look at it in the context that maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of that child’s point of contact for God to do something amazing in his/her life . . . that as I am opening my door, I am giving them light and direction to the doorway of God. The point is, you don’t have to beat people over the head with the Bible or demand that they repent of their sins; but in a very real and tangible way we can put the opportunity of the Good News into their hands.Third, I am not against my own kids dressing up in an innocent, non-violent costume and going trick-or-treating. This gives me a huge teaching moment in the disciple-making process every year with my own children. If all they ever heard from me year after year was rhetoric like, “Halloween is the Devil’s holiday. We don’t celebrate evil.” etc…. then one day their own curiosity about it (reinforced by my continual negative approach to the subject) may get the best of them, and at a very vulnerable, unsafe time in their exploration they may open up unwanted doors to the power and influence of Satan. It is my choice and my responsibility to train up my children in the ways of God. This is something I do not take lightly. Halloween gives me the opportunity to intentionally talk with them about things like good versus evil, and gives me tangible ways to teach my kids to be missional in their own relationship with Christ.Finally, by taking our kids door-to-door to get candy, it gives us more of a presence in our community. People see us, and we see them. We meet our neighbors, as well as other children in the community and school our kids go to. Now we have faces and names to pray for, build relationships with, engage and live life with, and reach out with the love of God to. For me, Alan and Debra Hirsh validate this point clearly in their work Untamed. They share the “six P’s” of incarnational discipleship practices: presence, proximity, powerlessness, prevenience, proclamation, and passion. When our family participates in Halloween, we are essentially engaging in “presence and proclamation,” and hope that God will bless our humble efforts. I am concerned that in society today, Christians and the church in general are known merely for the things they are opposed to. We boycott, disengage, and henceforth lose ground. If we are not present in others’ lives, then we are doing a very poor job at making disciples and loving others. My only criticism of a Fall Festival type ministry would be that it lacks a greater sense of presence. It might be great at proclamation, but it operates under the assumption that people will bring their kids to it. Instead of trying to attract others to them, maybe they should do it more in the presence of the community, like at the local school, or break it up into different homes, etc. Our lights need to be more present in the communities we are trying to engage.Some of you might take serious issue with the things that I have said. But I hope you can at least understand my viewpoint. Halloween gives us so many ways to be creative and intentional in our efforts to love God and love others. I encourage you to take some time to pray and research some ways that your family can use Halloween as a time to serve and honor Him more. The internet is full of ideas. It might be as simple as handing out appropriate, kid-friendly cards with God’s Word on them, inside candy bags like we are doing. Or there are all kinds of pencils, toys, and novelty items with a positive, even Biblical message on them. You might want to host a party in your home for your kids and their friends, and use that time to read them a story or parable that would incorporate God’s love in the message. You could just spend time prayer walking in the streets as kids trick-or-treat. The resources and ideas are out there. Or you can choose to not participate, to do nothing. Of course, it is your choice. But whatever you do, I hope it honors God.--Jeromy Guthrie--