HALLOWEEN
'Hiding
on Halloween' -- The Church Responds
By
Andy Freeman
Guest Contributor
CBN.com –
Wow! I'm thrilled at the responses from the church community
in regard to my editorial entitled: The
Enemy's Victory: Darkened Homes and Harvest Parties. In it,
I challenged believers to quit hiding out on Halloween and use
it as a way to meet their neighbors, bless their children, and
present a witness and invitation to your home fellowship, cell
group, or church. As you can imagine, this is not the most popular
view in the body in this day and era.
Here's what a couple of those who were comfortable and uncomfortable
with the challenge to outreach on Halloween had to say:
Mr.
Charles S. -- I think your message is right on the mark. Why not use this
time to spread good cheer and a healthy Christian attitude around the neighborhood?
I can't remember one passage in the Bible where it said Jesus ran and hid from
someone who was possessed by a demon, or for that matter hid from anything! This
from Kay S. -- It is time for the Christians to take a stand for something
with no apologetics. My family chooses not to celebrate Halloween. We do not hide
in our house. Most Americans are knowledgeable about the origins of Halloween,
but choose to celebrate it anyway. That's their choice, I honor it. I've witnessed
to many about the evils of Halloween. Some listen, some don't. I believe someone
will see my light because I have not compromised my faith or my family's for a
few hours of foolishness. Ms. Ramona M. -- I appreciate Andy Freeman's
article on Christians "hiding" at Halloween. I am a youth leader at my church
and we are taking our junior and senior high students out "trick or treating."
We will be handing out tracts, church brochures and flyers for our upcoming revival.
We have been teaching evangelism and we hope this will give the teens a chance
to practice what they have learned. Please pray for us in this endeavor. Mrs.
Beth Ann B. -- Our family does not participate in any activities offered on
October 31st. We are not legalistic Christians, just obedient children. The Lord
put it upon our hearts to not participate in any way. I think Christians in history
have made the mistake of trying to blend Christian holidays and pagan rituals
and you end up celebrating the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. God gives us plenty
of opportunities to minister to our neighbors besides trick or treating! Mrs.
D. N. -- Before we moved to the country, I used to be one of the last around
the block on Halloween, knowing I'd have time to linger, talk, exchange phone
numbers, etc. Five weeks later my new friends and neighbors found themselves being
invited to my church for a large evangelistic meeting, our Living Christmas Tree.
Was I as diligent in doing this every year like I should have been? No. I wish
I had done better. But the strategy is what counts. It's a major social party
out there on Halloween just itching for invitations to upcoming Christmas events
at our churches! Mrs. Wilson -- We do not celebrate Halloween. However,
this year my children will be dressed as soup cans and will be collecting cans
for the needy. They will turn down any offers of candy and accept canned goods
only. From C.F. -- I appreciated your commentary on Halloween posted
on CBN's Web site. As a fairly young, first-generation Christian, I struggle with
what my response to Halloween should be. In years past, we've done the "turn-out-the-lights-and-go-to-the-mall"
routine. This year, we're going to hand out tracts with candy attached (Good candy,
at that!). But I still struggle with having our children participate in Halloween
in any fashion either in the neighborhood or at church-related alternatives. Thanks
to each and every one of you for sharing what God has called you to do. Whether
you are shining a light and salting up your community this year, or caring for
young Christian kids in your church, do it as unto the Lord. And don't
forget: if you stay at home, turn on your lights and love for the lost.
More
from CBN.com's Halloween Page
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