Halloween Romance

| November 4, 2010 | Comments (5)

How exactly is the church supposed to respond to an occasion such as Halloween?

One year ago, a 20-something guy decided to attend Adam’s 8th Annual Halloween Bonfire Extravaganza. Little did he know, his future wife was deciding the same thing.  A year later, the newly married couple returned for Adam’s 9th Annual, celebrating the anniversary of a relationship God wove together on that cold night twelve months before.

Social gatherings like Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Halloween are all moments where the church can engage people in the safety and comfort of the familiar.  The less threatening.  But, none of these celebrations were created to bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.

Super Bowl Sunday is a celebration revolving around the commercialization of a barbaric sport that praises physical violence.

St. Valentine’s Day (also commercialized) is a chocolate-smothered excuse to appreciate a significant other the way they should be appreciated year-round.

The 4th of July (although altruistically patriotic) is gluttonous pyromania that dangerously allows politics an unchecked presence in church services and celebrations.

Thanksgiving (like Valentine’s) is another guilt-ridden reason to be thankful once a year and potentially invite over that someone who should be a regular at your dinner table every night.

(I celebrate each of these holidays, religiously)

However, you would be hard-pressed to find a church that does not leverage these opportunities. Is Halloween any less an opportunity to share the gospel, provide genuine community, or be the church?  Being “in the world” is as much a mandate as, “not being of it.”

How exactly is the church supposed to respond to an occasion such as Halloween?  Like every opportunity before, seize it.

I know one 20-something couple that is glad Faith Promise chose to be in the world on that Halloween night two years ago.

6 billion people.  6 billion stories.  This is just one of those stories.  People.  Life is better together.

Special thanks to Gina McClain, Seth Godin, and Dr. Chris Stephens

Category: Groups - General

This post was written by Evan Crass: View author profile.

Short url: http://fpchur.ch/84

  • Alex

    Wait, just for clarification, is this saying the celebrations weren’t created for God’s glory of God, or is this saying when we as a church I’ve celebrated these, it’s not for the glory of God.

  • dreWells

    Great question!

    I do not believe any of these holidays were necessarily created to bring glory to God.

    However, I do believe that each of them offer an opportunity to bring glory to God.

    And I believe it is our responsibility, as the church, to not miss those opportunities by fortifying behind the walls of isolated religion.

    Thanks for the read, Alex!
    dreWells

  • Mabel halcomb

    It’s all in how you celebrate it. Does the Halloween bonfire emphasize fear( the author of which is Satan )? If it does then it’s nothing more than a celebration honoring Gods only enemy. Why would any Christian want to do that? I wouldn’t go to a party that celebrates any of my earthly loved ones enemies!
    Now if that church party on Halloween is an alternative party that celebrates Jesus then I’m all for it. Let’s make sure we truly are in the world but not OF the world.

  • dreWells

    Right on, Mabel!
    It’s pretty awesome that without restrictions or enforcing a costume code of conduct that no scary or grotesque costumes were adorned. In fact, the winning costume was Jesus Christ (Jeff Roland).
    Thanks for the read and comment!
    dreWells

  • http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-backgrounds halloween wallpaper

    hey there, thanks so much for this super post. I bookmarked you… and by the way, your rss feed link is cashed.. thougth i’d let you know.