Halloween: A Cultural Opportunity To Be Missional

  • Mary Tinjum
  • Oct 16, 2007

Regardless of what you think about Halloween, the reality is that if you live in a neighborhood, you will see a lot of people out and about on the evening of October 31st.  As the called people of Jesus Christ, how do we respond to this holiday?  Do we lock our doors and turn off the lights, pretending we’re not home?  Do we shrug our shoulders, shake our heads and just go along with the rest of the world because we think “how can I make a difference?”

Consider this:  How often do you have the opportunity to meet or talk with your neighbors?  How many times have you thought about wanting to be missional in your neighborhood but haven’t figured out how?  Perhaps this is your chance.

Consider how you might be a reflection of God’s love and grace to the world around you.

Paul says “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” ( Col 3:17)  So, whatever you choose to do on October 31st, do for the Lord.  Here are just a few ideas of things you can do to bless your neighbors:

 

  1. Contact your neighborhood association or local community center.  Find out if they have any planned activities for the evening, and offer to help out.
  2. Talk to your neighbors or life group about setting up a coffee or hot cider table for parents out trick-or-treating with their kids.  If possible, have a portable heat source available.  If it’s raining, set up a canopy tent.
  3. Go for a walk around your neighborhood with family or friends.  Hand out flashlights.
  4. If a lower income area, hand out school supplies to trick-or-treaters, but don’t forget the candy!!!
  5. Help clean up your street the next day.
  6. If you have the technology, show “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” out on your front porch for a little nostalgia!
  7. Invite an elderly neighbor over for an early dinner, or bring them a plate of cookies.  Schedule a time to help them with yard work.
  8. Ask your single parent neighbor how you can help make the evening less stressful for them.
  9. Host an early evening block party or barbecue.
  10. Set a goal of learning at least one neighbor’s name when they come to your door with their kids.  Follow up with them later in the week and offer to help them rake leaves or clean their gutters.

If you have additional ideas, please e-mail them to ;so that we can add them to our list!

Perhaps you don’t live in a typical neighborhood or your nearest neighbor is a mile away.  If this is the case, contact Mary to discuss blessing the church neighborhood in a practical way.