And the list goes on and on for alternatives to “enjoy this season”.

Of course what it really mean is that you don’t believe in Halloween but want to celebrate it anyway. I hear the word alternative being used but an alternative of kids dressing up and getting candy by having kids dress up and come to your church for candy…not very “alternative.”

Who are we fooling? What kind of message are we sending?

If you don’t like Halloween, don’t celebrate it. You have a legitimate argument that could be made against it. Giving it a new name doesn’t change a thing and the only one you’re fooling is yourself.

Happy Holiday
How does it make you feel when someone says “Happy Holiday” during Christmas? Do they fool you? Do you realize they’re just being ignorant in their lame attempt to be “sensitive”? Does it just get under your skin? Do you even think of shopping somewhere else?

I wonder if people think the same way when we say “Fall Harvest” instead of Halloween?

Let’s talk about those costumes.
What about the criteria “no scary costumes, God honoring costumes, etc.”? I think it’s just silly. I’ve handed out the candy, I’ve seen the costumes and no one has ever come to the door that’s going to give anyone nightmares.

What message do you send when you put that criteria in place? You’re telling people they can come to your party – if they look and act like you. Why can’t we let people come into church as themselves? Aren’t “those people” the people you say you want to reach? Honestly, if a kid wants to come to church dressed up as dracula…knock yourself out, have some candy. And when they ask you “aren’t I scary” go ahead and be honest “Yes you are, but you know what? God still loves you.”

And let’s not forget, when you give the criteria “bible characters only” you open yourselves to demons, prostitutes, evil spirits – not to mention adam & eve. What about the Holy “Ghost” does that qualify? I’ve just always thought that was funny.

Political
I understand that a large reason for the renaming is that many people would be upset if you had a “Halloween” party in the house of God. No one likes angry letters. I get that. What if you used it as an opportunity for a conversation about reaching people, about being slow to judge and quick to have open arms.

If you think Halloween is evil don’t rename it, just skip it. But if you’re going to have a party, be the place to be. Knock it out of the park. Have the most fun, the best candy, the biggest games…make church the place to be on Halloween.

Use it as an opportunity, not a stumbling block.

	Out of candy. Giving out Taco Bell Sauce Packets.
	Oh, oh. Dentist’s home. (aka. sugar free gum)
	Reeses…get it?
	Garbage…skip it!
	Jackpot! Full-size candy bars.

Use it well! And for those of you who hate halloween…feel free to call this the Code of Fall Harvest (ps. it’s still the same even though you’ve renamed it).

See more here.

Let’s look for the good in things, not the evil. “For that which the enemy made for evil, He will make for good.” Think of this, tonight, parents, who are normally too busy with work and whatnot, will set aside the night to walk down the street with their children…parents and children spending time laughing together that is very good. If you want to be relevant as a church you should find a way to share in that laughter.

Next year let’s find a way to turn Halloween into an opportunity for change, for salvation. I love what one of the churches we work with, Grand Rapids First, does at Halloween. They go out trick-or-treating…but instead of going door-to-door collecting the treats, they go door-to-door and give out treats. That’s relevant, and that gets people talking and compels them to check out that church that gave out the light bulbs on Halloween.