Halloween has been a controversial topic in Bible teaching churches over the past few decades. Unwilling to accept "trick or treating"
as benign cultural phenomenon, many pastors and laypersons unmasked their concern, and began to offer alternative activities for their children.
Thus was born the popular Harvest Festivals when congregations host a carnival-like night at the church to which families, friends and neighbors
can be invited.
Sadly, in this debate Christians have overlooked the unique opportunity for creative evangelism that Halloween allows for. Just
think of the number of kids from non-church background that come to your front door dressed up as Spiderman, Cinderella, Sponge Bob Square Pants
(and a myriad of countless other cultural heroes). They stand at your door and open their bags and willingly accept whatever you drop in.
This past Sunday it dawned on me that Halloween allows us to "do evangelism in reverse." Those who need Jesus come to us
and we have the freedom to put whatever spin we want on the whole Halloween thing.
But what kind of a message are you giving to your neighborhood kids if you refuse to participate?
That you're better than they are? If you are at the church, who is there to welcome the kids? Or if you are at home and (pretend you're not by
leaving your lights off and not answering the doorbell) you are missing an opportunity. Is that what Jesus would do?
Rather I think we need to ask to whom you can extend a Christ-like smile as well as a miniature candy bar.
And maybe even a creative Christian greeting. That's what we're doing this year.
This past week I sat down and wrote the following little poem. You have my permission to print it out and roll it up and give it out with
miniature Tootsie Rolls on Halloween night.
