AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO HALLOWEEN
For decades, Christians have had an uneasy relationship with Halloween - is it a hopelessly demonic (if not satanic) celebration or is it merely a cultural event with redeemable qualities? While some Christians view Halloween as a threat, I’d challenge us to see it as an opportunity. Those armed with the name of Jesus, and the power of his Spirit, need not be spooked by this night or any other. This is our Father's world. May God give us Florence.
On my first day of missions class at Dallas Theological Seminary, Professor Mark Young set up the following scenario: a new family moves into a neighborhood just before Halloween. On the 31st they strike out with their little ones, dressed up to engage the neighborhood, and the first house is dark and empty, but the next house is lit up; music is playing; people are in the yard greeting, giving out candy, gushing over the kids. Which family do they perceive loves their neighbor? Which family has made good in deed their claim to love?
We pray for opportunities to love our neighbors and bless our communities in ways they understand. We pray for “open doors.” Halloween is literally THAT opportunity. It is the only day in the year when it is not only accepted but even expected that we all will open our doors, and go out in the streets to greet our neighbors. As Christians - let’s not miss this opportunity.
A BIT OF HISTORY
2,000 years ago the ancient Celts of Ireland, Britain and northern France believed the veil between the living and the dead grew thin on the New Year (Nov 1), so they would leave food on their doorsteps to keep evil spirits away and dress as the dead to “blend in” and not be bothered. In the eighth century, the church Christianized the celebration by turning it into “All Saints Day” or “Allhallows” (kind of like “Presidents Day”) to celebrate the saints of old, making Oct 31 “Allhallows Eve” (later “Halloween”). At that time it was common to pray for the dead, and the tradition emerged of the poor, and later children, going door to door to pray for the deceased among the wealthy in return for money, ale or food. The modern practice of trick or treating dates to the 1920’s when Halloween pranking was a real threat. Following WWII, it developed into the more innocent nieghborhood event that many from the 70’s and 80’s remember.
So the direct line of our modern festival to the ancient pagan one is very thin in terms of celebrating demonic or dead spirits. In recent years, Halloween has taken a darker turn as revenues increased (it is the second largest grossing holiday) - both death and sex sell, and so costumes have become overly grotesque and overly sexualized. So yes, there are still “demons” to fight, since it’s hard to avoid the ugly or racy side. But in the darkness, the light can shine.
A WORD OF CAUTION
While Halloween is an opportunity, there are risks - and they should be taken seriously. Dr Debra Murphy writes they “risk hospitality” on halloween that we might “dare to give ourselves away in small gestures of friendship and neighborliness.” Piper also calls Halloween a risk, but one worth taking if weighed thoughtfully and prayerfully. Tim Challies offers a balanced perspective that doesn’t overpromise on the potential: “My encouragement to you today is to think and pray about this issue. I do not see Halloween as a great evangelistic occasion. I do not foresee it as a time when the people coming to your door are likely to be saved. But I do think it is a time that you can prove to your neighbors that you care about them, that you care about their children, and that you are glad to be in this world and this culture, even if you are not of this world or this culture. Halloween may serve as a bridge to the hearts of those who live around you who so desperately need a Savior.” In short - it’s unlikely to be soul-harvesting but it very much could be bridge-building, and that is a gospel risk worth taking.
A ROLE FOR ALL
While Christians can disagree on Halloween, there remains a role for all. Those who have convictions against engagement can participate by prayer - against the spiritual forces of darkness in society; for God to change our hearts towards our neighbors; for us to really SEE our neighbors. The rest can pray AND get out and take the light to the dark. In both cases Christ is honored and the day redeemed. In both cases disagreeing Christians demonstrate their deeper unity. In both cases we are loving our neighbors. In both cases we engage the difficulties of the battle by faith in the power of Christ for the sake of the gospel, because the model Jesus gave His disciples was not retreat but advance.
Jesus told Simon Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Gates are for defense. Jesus wasn’t saying the church will withstand hell’s attack; He was saying the gates of hell will not stand against His Kingdom’s attack. We belong to the kingdom of light - and how do you change darkness to light? You don’t turn off darkness; you simply bring light into darkness. Mission is NOT primarily defined by geography - going from the homeland to another land - BUT going from the light to the dark. So on Halloween, when everyone is out - let’s go on offense - and consume the darkness with light, and like the Resurrection Day, we will watch life swallow death again.
SUIT UP (ARMOR NOT A COSTUME)
The world has costumes; we have armor. If we’re going to take the power of evil seriously, let’s take the power of God seriously! Our shield and sword will last the war - including Halloween. So let’s suit up…
> Shield of Faith: Recognize the enemy. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Your enemy is not the neighbors with the creepy skeletons in the yard. Or the silly teenage trick-or-treaters dressed up as zombies. The adversary is the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). And we are well-guarded! As for our neighbors, we know that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). We look on them as Jesus looked on the crowds with compassion, because they are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). We yearn to be channels of gospel light and truth into their lives. No, our enemy is not the souls of man, but the destroyer of souls — the one who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We will resist him, and claim the promise that he will flee (James 4:7).
> Helmet of salvation: Remember the King. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to him (Matthew 28:18). Not half. Not most. All. Not only is he worshiped and admired by the happy citizens of his kingdom, but he “commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him” (Mark 1:27). No yin yang. No cage match with Satan. Satan is loud, but make no mistake - Jesus is Lord.
This is the Jesus in whom, through whom, for whom all things exist, and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16–17). That includes All Hallows’ Eve and every futile attempt made by the demonic hordes. Not only does Jesus rule them as Creator, but also by conquest at the cross, where he “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15). In this world, we will have tribulation, but we can take heart: he has overcome the world (John 16:33). And not only has he overcome, but he gives us a role in the conquest. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).
> Shoes of the gospel of peace: Reach out in love. All of us can go on the offensive on our knees by praying. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16) For others, take the next step of hospitality - and answer the doorbell with courage and faith. For others, walk the block with kids in tow and take the light to the dark. He will build his church, and the ghosts of Halloween will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). His gospel will most certainly be preached throughout the whole world, including our neighborhoods (Matthew 24:14). You can be a part of His great commission - even on this day - perhaps especially on this day. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for the faithful as well - could the heightened awareness of spiritual warfare right-size our faith in Christ and diminish our self-reliance?
LET’S GO!
Because of the authority of Jesus, and his power within us — remembering that Satan is the enemy, not our neighbors — we lean into Halloween, not away. We turn the porch lights on to chase away the darkness. We have the best candy on the street and give cheerfully and generously. We open the door wide and linger in conversation. We plan ahead about how to make the most of this unique opportunity when a society of people who are increasingly isolated actually come out and visit. Let us both pray for His kingdom to come, and then suit up with His armor, for the sake of His great name. Christians - this is our day - because every day belongs to Christ The King!
FAQ’s
Question: Isn’t participation in Halloween celebrating worldliness or worse?
Answer: Engagement in part is NOT endorsement of the whole! Consider Christmas - not everyone who has a Christmas tree with presents underneath is celebrating the gospel - the good news of the gift of Christ to us all. Jesus himself was often accused of endorsing the sin from which he came to free people. “The Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:2). Kinda sounds like Halloween.
Question: What if it doesn’t “work”?
Answer: You may not have many (any?) kids come by. The parents coming through may be in a hurry and not in the mood to talk or be invited to anything. You may get some kid in the neighborhood who scares your family. Your costume might be too hot (or cold). Maybe no one took the water. It was a lot of trouble! OK - it probably won’t ‘work’ the first year. Don’t give up! Make the adjustments - and keep going. Change yards, gather a different hosting crew, wear comfortable clothes (ditch the costume), be less elaborate - the command is not to impress your neighbor but to love your neighbor. Keep it simple - and keep going.
Over years, we have established ourselves in our neighborhood. And people enjoy coming to our yard. In fact - God may call you to do this so that the family down the street, who doesn’t know what to do, has somewhere safe and enjoyable to go. Whatever darkness and yuck is out there - our family provides a safehouse of light, joy, music, sweetness, delight, love, refuge, welcome and care. That’s the power of the gospel to light up the night - on that night, and every night.
Question: Can’t we just do a “trunk-or-treat” at the church instead and avoid all this?
Answer: We could, and we may someday, but for now we are trying to reach our neighbors where they are - in our neighborhoods!
Question: How do other pastors and churches handle it?
Answer: John Piper has a balanced view: “So I would hope that all Christians would think biblically and carefully about any holiday, any event, and how they might be salt and light in it. And if they feel like this can be of value to the kids in some way, to teach them—if it can be an innocent way of enjoying God's grace and teaching lessons—so be it. I’m willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness in order to be biblically faithful in witness. The same thing with Christmas and birthdays and Easter and worshiping on Sunday. All of these things have pagan connections. I want to be loose and broad and give freedom to believers to find their way to be most effective. So I respect those who are renouncing it as too connected with evil, and I respect those who say, ‘No, let’s redeem it and engage it and leverage it.’”
SETUP STRATEGY
> Prayer: pray and think
> Presence: Be present – better outside – best at the end of your driveway - set up “camp” to maximize engagement. One example: I set up lawn chairs at the end of my driveway, move our firepit out there, and provide a cooler with cold water bottles.
> Location: if your neighborhood is thin on kids, then go to one that has more. This is shifting year to year - keep a finger on that pulse.
> Fellowship: Do it together with friends, neighbors or a life group.
> Party: Got teens? Host the party in your front yard with extra snacks, lights, food, additional firepits and outdoor games (e.g. can jam, cornhole etc…)
> Themes: Go full on Christmas - Dickens outfits and blow up Frosty! Go Star Wars or Pixar or Disney or sports teams or 70’s - so many themes are fun and (mostly) free
> Costume: Come on! Have some fun with it! Plan ahead though - a fun costume that’s cost-effective will take more effort.
> Music: have a speaker with good / fun music playing.
> Lights: string up some café lights to create an ambiance.
> Firepit: Nothing says come and hang out like a fire - especially with extra chairs!
> Glow sticks: pick up packs from Dollar Store to delight kids and make their walk a bit safer.
> Tent: especially if bad weather – add a pop tent to keep you (and neighbors) dry so you can visit.
> Candy: get the good stuff! Delight them in this simple way.
ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
> Notice: Make much of your guests – comment on their costumes, compliment them when you can. Our God is “The God Who Sees” - be sure to “see” people!
> Smile: Give the gift of friendliness and kindness. Show them what a redeemed Halloween looks like. That it doesn’t have to be dark to be sweet!
> Ask: Ask questions – engage them. Their names. Where they live. What are their costumes? Where do they go to school? Do they know so and so? Did they come to PUC?
> Invite: Offer cards to Sandhurst services and/or kid events along with GOOD candy. Our goal is not only to be awesome, but that guests walk away thinking “those people are AWESOME because often what people believe to be true about God is what they’ve experienced with the people of God.
> Info: get contact info whenever possible. Exchange cell numbers.
> Remember: write down names if you have to. Remember people. So you can pray and visit and invite and engage later… I keep a journal handy to jot down names and notes; a phone would work as well.
RESOURCES
> Full resource page on Halloween
> Hospitality: “Debra Murphy why we risk hospitality on Halloween”
> Tim Challies quoted by Justin Taylor
> John Piper on Halloween
> David Matthis – Halloween on Mission
> Neighborhood outreach kit (Luke McFadden)
> Dialogue on Christ transforming culture (desiringgod.org)
> Creative ideas (article) for Halloween
Fallback Sunday at Sandhurst
VISION
Of course, we welcome guests every Sunday – but Halloween is a week for intentional inviting and creating a unique and warm welcome for guests on the Sunday following and leading into Thanksgiving and Christmas. Every year this first Sunday in November begins daylight savings time; thus, we designate it “Fallback” Sunday.
We provide printed invitations ahead of time for all to give out during the Halloween evening with an invite on one side to the Fallback Service and picnic, held on the upcoming Sunday, and the Sandhurst Christmas calendar on the other side. Fallback Sunday is a typical service although we are “guest-aware,” meaning we’ll be especially vigilant to welcome guests before, during and after the service.
IDEAS: How to engage Fallback Sunday
> Pray: pray and think (seriously)
> Invite: kids and families and others for trick-or-treating and yard parties…
> Engage: Halloween night guests
> You guys look great!
> Could I invite you to our church service and cookout this Sunday?
> Now you know where we are - come by sometime.
> Engage: Fallback Sunday guests
> Thank you for being here.
> Can I help you get where you’re going?
> Would you sit with us?
> Let me introduce you to ______.
> Could you join us for lunch?
> Here is my email/cell number – let me know if I can help in any way.
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