(UPDATE: For a more recent view on how churches can use Halloween as an evangelism tool, check out the new Vision blog post.)

This fall, you’ll pick a weekend. You’ll gather your members and set up tables. They’ll sell jams, jellies, pies, homegrown produce, country crafts and an assortment of other treats made with love. Maybe you’ll even host a barbecue, organize sack races and give hayrides on this festive day.

Without a doubt, the harvest festival is one of the most notoriously popular church events of the year. Orchestrated to thank God for food and farmers, these festivals bring entire congregations together for fellowship and fun.

But autumn also brings another not-so-blessed event: Halloween.

Short for “All Hallows Eve,” this day represents quite a challenge for many Christian parents. Every year, they struggle to come up with an equally fun night for their children, who might otherwise feel “punished” for their beliefs.

According to retailer Hallmark, 50 million Americans participate in Halloween every year. Additionally, it is the third-largest party day annually, surpassed only by New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl, and reaps nearly $6 billion in costume, candy and decoration sales.

Yes, Halloween is a definite hurdle. Still, experts like Steve Russo, internationally known evangelist and best-selling author of Halloween: What’s a Christian To Do?, say it’s not insurmountable.

“The worst thing churches can do is present an option to kids that’s just like every other Halloween event in town,” Russo advises. “In your planning, don’t see how closely you can copy the world. Instead, make it appealing by being different. Alternatives are limited only by your imagination.”

For inspiration, churches already in the game offer plenty of fun, frugal ideas to get the ball rolling.

Instead, encourage children to forego “ghoulish” outfits in favor of their favorite Bible characters. Or simply prohibit scary costumes—especially witches, devils and monsters—but be lenient with little princesses, ballerinas and doctors.

Another option is to have children dress as saints in celebration of All Saints’ Day (November 1), and maybe even organize a parade for them to show off their creativity. Or host a Noah’s Ark party for which children dress as Noah, a member of his family, or one of his many animals. Offer prizes for the best costumes.

Children help themselves, and some churches even provide free treat bags.

“My cowardly thought was, ‘Oh no, the new neighbors will think we’re religious stiffs!’” explains one parent, whose young daughter carved an ornate cross in her pumpkin. Instead, the family’s first trick-or-treater had an entirely unexpected reaction: “Wow!  Cool pumpkin!”

Although fairly new offerings, ATS Director of Marketing Mark Brown says not only will the packages be available again this year, but a few new options soon will be unveiled. A Halloween evangelism PowerPoint presentation and tract-user testimonies are already available for download at www.atstracts.org. 

5. Light the Night! As advocates of Light the Night Christian outreach houses would say, more light means less darkness. This is never truer than on Halloween, and Light the Night houses have already proven a great alternative to trick-or-treating in 172 cities and 32 states.

“It’s more pro-Jesus than anti-Halloween, if that makes sense,” says Light the Night creator K.R. Mele. “We tried to make it better than just an alternative.”

These brightly lit homes—signified by large banners outside— provide a non-threatening way to meet the neighbors. Inside, children and adults snack on hot dogs, popcorn and candy and enjoy an evangelistic puppet show. Complete kits are available for $65 at www.lightthenightpa.com/kit.htm.

“Plan a game for each home, and top the evening off with a devotional talk on evil, the occult or a related topic,” Russo suggests.

“Whatever you do, make sure it’s fun and relevant to ‘Generation Next.’ It might be a bit more work to put something together for older kids, but it’s worth it.”

This fall, combine these and your own ideas for a Halloween/harvest event adults and kids alike can get into. You’ll reap twice the benefits.

And besides, doesn’t it sound better than last year’s pastor dunk tank?

toolbox

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DO YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH?

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ONE-STOP SHOPPING

Check out Cedar Creek Fundraising Inc., for 50-plus products and programs for all seasons. From start to finish, experienced consultants will work with you to develop a complete fundraising strategy. Choose from huge holiday megabrochures to dollar candy to more than 50 varieties of gourmet lollipops from Cedar Creek’s famed “Lollipop Central.” Whether you’re looking for a unique or traditional ideas and products, call or visit Cedar Creek Fundraising online.

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THANK GOD FOR LITTLE REMINDERS

Made with top-quality leather, elegant, custom-designed Ameropean bookmarks are an attractive, affordable fundraising option. They can be ordered in a variety of hues to match your church’s signature colors and imprinted with your logo and desired text. Each Ameropean bookmark is a useful Bible companion that serves to reaffirm a reader’s faith every time he or she uses it. They are perfect for the church gift shop or as gifts for volunteers and new members. These bookmarks also make wonderful commemoratives for anniversaries, building dedications, installation of clergy, baptisms and confirmations.

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