Halloween and the Christian Community...

[melinky]

I was speaking to my mother on the night before Halloween and she asked if I'd had many trick-or-treaters. I thought she was confused and said that Halloween wasn't until the following night. She then told me that her town in north-eastern Arkasas was protesting Halloween being celebrated on the Sabbath and the children were trick-or-treating one night early.

My question is, in what way does your church deal with Halloween?

[worthily]

i remember only one occasion during when holloween landed on a wednesday, the preacher identified the holloween celebration and where and when that tradition originated. Our congregation decided not to go with the direction from which mankind historically has evidentally directed it. After the worship service had ended, we all went to another members house and some of the children, namely us, were dressed up in costumes ranging from railroad workers (me) to clowns, raggedy ann and andy, ect. ect. ect. and we socialized and bobbed for apples.

Nobody went trick or treating but remained together socially and with one consent not to take it in the demonic direction nor in a direction for harm. Before we left to go home we all prayed in thanksgiving.

[melinky]

In 2001, right after 9/11, there was a lot of concern about the safety of trick-or-treating, so my church decided that it would provide a safe venue for the children of our community and held its first Fall Festival. It was a major success and has become a tradition in our church. Not only are we given a chance to fellowship together, we are able to minister to the community. I think we have almost as many non-members at our fall festivals as we do members.

We have food, carnival style games where the children can win candy or small Christian gifts (WWJD bracelets, etc). Though my son always asks if he can go trick-or-treating, those thoughts are gone by the time he's spent a couple hours playing games and being with his friends from church. All-in-all, it's a wonderful experience and a great outreach to the otherwise unchurched.

Personally, I don't really care about the pagan roots of Halloween, Christmas or Easter. I don't now, nor have I ever, celebrated with any kind of pagan intent. I think God knows a pure heart when he sees one and children certainly don't understand pagan symbolism. To me, what is more important is that they are learning that it feels good when someone gives you something with no strings attached, and as they grow older and become more empathetic, they will want to share that feeling by giving to others. Or at least that's my philosophy. ;D

I think that this passage kind of backs up my thoughts on this subject.

“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”
(1Cor. 8:1-8, NIV)

Melinda

[worthily]

you have put it clear, cut, and precise... and to the point i might add, thanks for the verse.

[Kenny]

Topic is a little old, but I think I'll reply anyways. My old youth pastor gave a nice preachin' on halloween...I'll refrain from posting about it since most of you alreay know how halloween originated.

Our church has a halloween alternative called Pumpkin Patch. We have games, prizes, food, etc. and give it all for free. This allows the children of my neighborhood to hear the gospel and get off the streets for awhile.

We also do a trunk-or-treat type thing, where we open our trunks in the parking lot and let the children get some treats out of our trunk. There is food and a story to "lure" them in.