Halloween Thoughts

Every year I get asked if our church going to do something for Halloween. Usually that's code for "How do we deal with the Devil's version of Christmas?"

Here's my thoughts on the subject (feel free to disagree, but also feel free to not send me links to sites about witchcraft and/or the winter solstice):

#1 - This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors.

#2 - This is the one day a year everyone in your neighborhood is going to knock on your door.

#3 - Christians should have the best candy on the block. Brach's candy is for the elderly. If I find out anyone in our church handed out pennies, I'm going to egg your house myself :)

#4 - Halloween has bad roots, but I doubt that the 7 year old at your door dressed like Anakin Skywalker is actually a devil worshipper. He's heard that the people in his neighborhood are giving out candy.

#5 - Halloween is not a day for Christians to hide out at church. It's a day to be light and salt.

#6 - Once your kids get all the candy they can carry, this is a great opportunity to teach your kids about tithing. You get to be God. (Thanks to Scott for opening my eyes to this opportunity , I mean "truth" :)

Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!

Comments

[Joel]

I linked to this convicting post on my blog this morning. But, to be fair, Brach's Peppermints are one of the world's best candies.

[Casey Ross]

Good words, Bob! I could not have said it better myself, so I am linking to your post.

[Arlene]

Thanks to your wise teaching, I made sure I only bought Nestle's crunch, Reeses peanut butter cups and Baby Ruths. No old people candy!

[Bob Franquiz]

Arlene,

I'm glad to hear it. At the Franquiz home, we've got Reese's, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, Mounds, Kit Kat, Twix, Snickers, Nestle's Crunch, and 100 Grand(One of the most underrated candies on the planet). Strangely missing from the mix: Rolo's and M & M's. Why? I don't know...

[Rob Wright]

Nice thoughts, especially the one about your neighbors knocking on your door.

I always laugh when people talk about October 31 being the "devil's day." I'm such a poor student of history, that it wasn't until 5 years ago that I learned that October 31 is also the day that Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the church doors of Wittenburg, Germany (October 31, 1517).

So to some October 31 is also Reformation Day. This is a huge day in the history of the church. Without the providential efforts of Luther, Calvin, and Knox in the Protenstant Reformation, it's likely that we'd all be Catholic. So, between the candy, thank God for these men and their fiery committment to the His Word.

* Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone!
* Solus Christus - Christ Alone!
* Sola Gratia - Grace Alone!
* Sola Fide - Faith Alone!
* Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone!

[Papo]

Bob, I apologize in advance for using your blog as a confessional...

The quality of the candy given out on Halloween is a constant debate at my house. My wife feels there is no problem in passing out all the crappy piñata candy we've collected throughout the year and have kept away from our own kids. I feel our home should be represented by higher quality treats...also, I'm afraid of my house getting egged for handing out crappy candy. So, I went out last night under the premise of purchasing milk and eggs and came back with a few bags of quality stuff. To my wife: I'm sorry honey, but an excecutive decision had to be made!

[Niki]

U da main & I'm da goul....I love your take on "all hallows eve"...My sentiments exactlly, all Christians should do everything better than the average...that includes the best chocolates around...and give out an invite to your church while your at it...

[storbakken]

Thanks for your post. Funny and true.

[Deanna]

Great blog - Good thoughts -

we've always been kind of quiet about this day. We'd do the church thing the week before, pass out candy and take our own kids trick or treating but we just never admitted that we did it...truth be told many of the other people in or church were the same way.
It's just silly.
I also agree with you that this is a good time to teach about tithing!! hehehe

[Bob Franquiz]

Papo,

My counseling door is open...

[Brian Alexander]

you are a a pastor and you have fall out boy on your ipod..

[Brian Alexander]

you are a a pastor and you have fall out boy on your ipod..

[Bob Franquiz]

Brian,

I am a Pastor and yes I have Fall out Boy on my ipod. That's why I had the CD under the "What's in my ipod" section...

[Jason]

Nice post, i agree. We should look at what Halloween means now, most kids don't have a clue other then "ooo free candy." Also in history its connected with the Catholic's all Saints day (nov 1), which most people forget about, even most Catholics. Sure Halloween used to be about evil spirits and such but now its all about the candy and getting dressed up. I could rant about this all day, or i'll probably just make a post about it myself later :).

[scott hodge]

you're a pastor and have a link to scotthodge.org? what the ............??

[Doug]

I totally disagree, when I was a kid yes I felt as though Halloween was a time to get free candy, and I really looked forward to it, but when I got to the age of accountability it was instilled in me that this was a Holiday about me, the free candy, led to Trick or Treating in the neighborhood, Trick or Treating in the neighborhood, led to parties where I would drink, smoke, and engage in sexual activity with the girls in my neighborhood. Before you join the world's activity, and try to use it as an outreach, I would suggest you be a little more intentional about your participation in a way that it will glorify God. Be a leader not a follower, for instance if you are going to be a light in your community how about tracks with your candy, how about a sign on your door that glorifies God as the Trick or Treater's knock for Candy, and furthermore if you want to be a leader why don't you have a Halloween Alternative Party at your house where all the Trick or Treater's can get candy, and have fun while their spirits are challenged and encouraged in the name of Jesus. Just another perspective Bless You.

[Carletta Marshall]

I totally agree with the opportunity to shine our light and not hide in the dark. My family always includes a track in the baggies that we share and we always try to get a really good mixture of candies, gums, etc. We also have a sign on the door that says "Jesus Loves You".

[Bill LaMorey]

I stopped putting tracts in the bags of kids (Jack T. Chick "Boo!" was my favorite) because a) I doubt kids are going to read them and bow the knee to Christ and b) all you do is alienate parents who are ticked off that you exploited the opportunity to put "propaganda" in their kid's bags (would you like getting a Watchtower magazine in your kid's bag?)
I think it's about strategically building long-term relationships and letting our light shine (I don't mean a day-glow Jesus on our door but rather a Matt 5:16 approach).
Let's not kid ourselves, the short-term fixes like signs on the door and tracts in the bag probably accomplish little more than making ourselves (Christians) feel better because we think we're not selling out. We need to think big picture -building bridges by relationships and then modeling our faith as we do life in our community. No one will get close to enough to us for that to happen if we're the freaks on the block...
Sorry, if I offended anyone, but I think this needs to be said.

[Darren Plummer]

Bob, I totally agree with your blog-thoughts... what you said needed to be heard (or read... whatever!). Keep on allowing Christ to use you BY BEING WHO HE'S MADE YOU TO BE... and not someone that you LEARNED to be once you hit the "age of accountability" (whatever that is). ;-) KEEP ON BEING YOUR REVOLUTIONARY SELF, BRO!!!!

[Carletta Marshall]

Bill,
I'm not offended at all but I don't believe that I am selling out either. This is an opportunity to say something to some people that we might not ever meet again. I realize that every tract won't be read but I do remember how some of those same tracts drew me to the Lord because I got interested in the stories. We really don't know the impact that these events can have on someone's life. I am proud of the stand that I take for the Lord and every opportunity that I can share him with others is a blessing to me.