Halloween Controversy

This is the time of year when lines are often drawn over whether Christians, particularly those involved in children's ministries, should or shouldn't celebrate Halloween. Many churches choose to hold a Fall Festival instead, yet some Christians believe even that shouldn't happen because it is simply a "Halloween replacement."

Many, many years ago, I was involved in a college ministry at a prominent downtown church. One year, if you can believe it, we actually created a "Haunted House"! It was more funny than scary, and we did it with good intentions: to draw in people who didn't know Christ and share the Gospel with them afterward. Today, with greater awareness of Halloween's darker spiritual associations, I definitely would not recommend using a haunted house as a "way to witness" to others.

However, I believe there are two good reasons to have fall festivals for your children's ministry:

1) A Fall Festival is a biblical idea.
God commanded the people of Israel to celebrate the harvest during the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast reminded God's people of how He cared for and provided for them while they wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters as they journeyed toward the land He had promised them. It also reminded them of God's continuing faithfulness in providing the final harvest of the season. (Learn more about all of God's special feasts.)

2) A biblically based Halloween alternative can be a wonderful outreach opportunity.
A Fall Festival can provide a safe and wholesome activity for the children of your church while also reaching families in your community who may not attend church. By providing games, treats, puppet shows, and other activities that emphasize thanksgiving for God's provision, you also have an opportunity to tell children about Jesus and invite them and their parents to other activities at your church.

I also believe it's important for Christians to welcome trick-or-treaters who come to our doors. Rather than turning off the porch light, consider the opportunity you have when neighborhood children are literally coming to you! Include a Gospel tract with the candy you hand out. And even when teenagers come knocking for the freebies, take the opportunity to show them kindness and share the love of Jesus with them too.

Whether through a church Fall Festival or from our own front doors, this season can give us opportunities to point children and families toward Jesus. 

(Get our Pumpkin Harvest Gospel tract.)

I'd love to hear from you. What do you think? Does your church have a Fall Festival? Share your ideas here!

Serving Christ together,
Sarah Keith <><