How Your Church Can Make the Most of Halloween
Halloween can be a divisive topic in church communities. However, it also presents an excellent opportunity for outreach and fellowship. None-the-less, you might be wondering how to balance the fun aspects of the holiday with your faith values.
Well these ideas aim to solve that problem by offering a range of ideas suitable for different church needs. So, whether you’re looking to celebrate Halloween or offer an alternative, this guide provides in-depth coverage of ideas and practical tips to make your event a hit.
Why Halloween Is an Opportunity, Not a Threat
The Bible tells us in Psalm 118:24,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NIV)
This includes every day, even October 31st. Halloween is not a day that belongs to darkness; it’s a day the Lord has made. The Apostle Paul used pagan festivals to share God’s word (Acts 17:23). Similarly, Jesus calls us to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14–16). Therefore, Halloween can be an opportunity for community outreach and spiritual renewal. Learn more at “Reclaiming Halloween at Our Trunk or Treat.”
Tried-and-True Halloween Alternatives
1. Trunk or Treat: A Community Favorite
Why It Matters: Trunk or Treat events are a community favorite that can help your church engage with families in a fun and safe environment.
Practical Tips:
· Vehicle Participation: Encourage families with trucks and minivans to participate. Their spacious trunks are ideal for setting up creative displays.
· Security: Assign volunteers to manage security. While Trunk or Treat is a safer alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, having adults keep watch ensures everyone’s safety.
· Costume Contest: Run a costume contest where the most creative Halloween costume wins a prize, like a gift card to a local Christian bookstore.
· Car Decorating Contest: Spice things up by running a car decorating contest. The most creatively decorated vehicle could win a special prize.
· Promotion: Market your event well in advance. Use social media, church bulletins, and community boards to spread the word.
· Lighting: If your event is in the evening, ensure proper lighting. String lights, pumpkins with candles, and flashlights can provide ample visibility.
· Something for Everyone: While kids will enjoy the candy and games, consider serving hot cider for adults and setting up a space for socializing.
2. Harvest Festival: A Celebratory Alternative
Why It Matters: A Harvest Festival serves as a celebratory alternative to Halloween, aligning with Christian values while still being festive.
Practical Tips:
· Biblical Games: Include games that teach biblical lessons, such as “Fishers of Men” fishing game or a “David and Goliath” slingshot game.
· Seasonal Activities: Offer apple bobbing and pumpkin decorating stations, including biblical themes or verses as part of the activity.
· Food and Refreshments: Consider serving seasonal treats like apple cider and pumpkin pie, perhaps with scripture tags attached.
· Community Involvement: Invite local Christian musicians or speakers to contribute to the festival, adding a spiritual element to the celebration.
3. Costume Contest with a Twist: Celebrating Creativity
Why It Matters: A costume contest with a biblical twist celebrates creativity while keeping the focus on faith.
Practical Tips:
· Bible-Themed Costumes: Encourage costumes of biblical characters and offer prizes like Christian books or gift cards to local businesses.
· Judging Panel: Have a panel of judges from the church community. Include categories like ‘Most Creative,’ ‘Most Accurate,’ and ‘Best Group Costume.’
· Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with biblical backdrops for families to take pictures.
4. Prayer and Praise Night: A Serene Alternative
Why It Matters: A Prayer and Praise Night offers a serene alternative to Halloween festivities, focusing on spiritual growth and community.
Practical Tips:
· Ambiance: Use candles and soft music to create a peaceful environment.
· Program: Incorporate a segment for sharing testimonies and prayer requests.
· Worship Team: Involve the church’s worship team in live music to uplift spirits.
· Reflection Zones: Create quiet zones where people can sit and reflect or pray privately.
Fresh Halloween Ideas for Today’s Church
5. Trunk-or-Treat with a Twist
Why It Matters: Adding a scavenger hunt element to your Trunk or Treat event can make it more interactive and engaging for kids.
Practical Tips:
· Scavenger Hunt: Add a hunt where kids find Bible verses from trunks to win extra candy.
· Digital Tracking: Consider using an app to make the scavenger hunt more interactive and easy to track.
· Volunteers: Have volunteers at each trunk to guide the kids and hand out clues or rewards.
6. Harvest Festival with Prayer Booth
Why It Matters: Including a “prayer booth” at your Harvest Festival can provide a spiritual touchpoint for attendees.
Practical Tips:
· Prayer Booth: Include a booth where attendees can submit prayer requests or pray with a church member.
· Takeaway: Offer a small item like a prayer card or scripture bookmark as a keepsake.
· Games and Activities: Incorporate fun games but also have a biblical teaching element.
· Food Stalls: Consider having food stalls with fall-themed foods like apple cider and pumpkin pie.
7. Movie Night with Seasonal Films
Why It Matters: A seasonally appropriate Christian film can make your movie night more engaging and relevant to the holiday.
Practical Tips:
· Film Selection: Choose a Christian film that aligns with the season, like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” and obtain a Public Performance License.
· Thematic Snacks: Create a snack bar with items that align with the movie’s theme, such as “Candy Corn Pops” popcorn or “Orange Pumpkin” fruit punch.
· Seating: Arrange comfortable seating for a cozy atmosphere, like bean bags or padded chairs.
· Interactive Elements: Consider adding a discussion or Q&A session after the movie to delve into its themes and messages.
8. Community Service Day
Why It Matters: A community service day can show your church’s commitment to serving others and positively impacting your neighborhood.
Practical Tips:
· Leaf-Raking Service: Organize a leaf-raking service for elderly neighbors. Include a small card inviting them to your church.
· Charity Partnership: Partner with a local charity for a food drive or clothing donation. Use social media to promote the event and encourage participation.
· Community Cleanup: Add a community cleanup to the day’s activities. Provide gloves, bags, and refreshments for volunteers.
9. Pumpkin Carving Bible Stories
Why It Matters: Providing stencils for Bible stories can make pumpkin carving both fun and educational.
Practical Tips:
· Story Stencils: Provide stencils of Bible stories for kids to carve, like David and Goliath or Daniel in the Lion’s Den.
· Storytelling Session: Have a storytelling session where the Bible stories are read aloud. Consider using props or costumes for added engagement.
· Pumpkin Display: Create a display area where the carved pumpkins can be showcased, each with a card explaining the Bible story it represents.
10. Scripture Scavenger Hunt
Why It Matters: Using QR codes for a scavenger hunt can make it a modern and interactive experience. Practical Tips:
· QR Codes: Use QR codes to link to Bible verses. Hide them around the church or the local community for an expanded hunt.
· Teamwork: Encourage team participation. Offer a prize for the winning team, such as a gift card to a local Christian bookstore.
· Real-Time Updates: Use a digital app to track progress and offer real-time clues or challenges.
11. Christian Music Concert
Why It Matters: Hosting a Christian music concert can provide a spiritually uplifting experience for your community.
Practical Tips:
· Local Talent: Invite local Christian bands or choirs to perform. This not only provides entertainment but also supports local artists.
· Love Offering: Consider taking up a love offering for the performers or a charity of choice.
· Merchandise Booth: Allow bands to set up a merchandise booth. This can include CDs, shirts, or other memorabilia.
· Interactive Worship: Include a segment where the audience can participate in worship, making the event more interactive and spiritually enriching.
12. Family-Friendly Movie Character Walkthrough
Why It Matters: Meeting characters from family-friendly movies can offer an alternative to traditional haunted houses. This format allows for teaching moments and fun interactions.
Practical Tips:
· Character Selection: Pick movies like “Toy Story” or “Frozen” with good moral lessons. Think Woody and Lotso from “Toy Story” or Elsa and Hans from “Frozen.”
· Volunteer Actors: Church members can dress up as villains and heroes from selected films.
· Themed Rooms: Decorate rooms to match the settings of the chosen movies for added excitement.
· Teaching Moments: Use the transition from a villain to a hero room to point out how God wants us to make the wise choice in a kid-friendly way.
· Photo Ops: Include a photo station with hero characters for keepsakes and social media sharing.
· Safety Measures: Ensure the walkthrough is safe with adequate lighting and clear pathways.
· Follow-Up: Hand out themed stickers or cards featuring relevant Bible verses and upcoming events.
13. Cooking Class: Making Soul Cakes
Why It Matters: Teaching the history of “soul cakes” can provide a historical and cultural context to Halloween celebrations.
Practical Tips:
· History Lesson: Begin the class by teaching the history of “soul cakes” and how they were used in Christian tradition.
· Interactive Cooking: Walk attendees through making their own soul cakes. Provide all the ingredients and tools needed.
· Recipe Cards: Offer recipe cards for attendees to take home, perhaps with a relevant Bible verse on the back.
· Taste Test: Conclude the class with a taste test and invite attendees to share their creations with the community.
How to Make Halloween a Blessing, Not a Burden
Halloween doesn’t have to be a point of contention within your church community. With some creativity and planning, you can offer an event that celebrates the season and brings your community closer to God. For more resources and inspiration, visit our church’s website, MillCityCC.com.
Share and Stay Connected
We’d love to hear how these ideas work for you! Share your experiences or your innovative ideas in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out the articles by Pastor Paul Luna.
Meet the Author
Pastor Paul Luna from Mill City Christian Church has been in ministry since 2002 in church community outreach, including being a Children’s Pastor at Heart of the Canyons in California and Family Church in Oregon; he’s led several successful Christian Halloween programs.
Currently, Mill City Christian Church’s Trunk or Treat event draws two-thirds of Mill City’s kids to this single event. Luna desires to help churches and non-profits dive into some tried-and-true and innovative ideas for celebrating Halloween.
