Here come the monsters — and gospel opportunities?

(Photo by Shawn Hendricks/The Baptist Paper)

Here come the monsters — and gospel opportunities?

It’s that time of year. Skeletons, witches and a variety of Halloween monsters and related décor are covering front lawns in neighborhoods throughout the United States.

And on Oct. 31, kids will be going to homes asking for candy as they declare “Trick or Treat.” It’s definitely a rare opportunity to meet the neighbors — and for churches to reach out to their communities.

Photo by Shawn Hendricks/The Baptist Paper

As churches continue to take advantage of hosting fall festivals and Trunk or Treat events, Lifeway Research’s most recent surveys show pastors continue to encourage members to get out there and engage neighbors with the gospel.

Research highlights

Here are a few of the latest statistics reported by Lifeway Research on Halloween:

  • A recent YouGov survey found 77% of U.S. adults say
    Halloween is a harmless holiday, 11% believe it is harmful, and 12% aren’t sure.
  • In an additional survey, 15% say Halloween is their favorite day of the year, the third highest percentage behind only Christmas (36%) and Thanksgiving (23%).
  • Another 28% enjoy Hall-ween more than an average day.
  • Around a third (35%) enjoy the day about as much as an average day.
    Around 1 in 10 say they enjoy Halloween less than an average day (9%) or the holiday is their least favorite day of the year (9%).

And another Lifeway Research survey has reported that more than 1 in 8 U.S. Protestant pastors (13%) advise their congregation to completely avoid the holiday.
Interactions

Meanwhile, many pastors encourage some type of Halloween engagement, Lifeway Research reported in an article on the topic. They pointed to a survey that shows these include an alternative church event (71%), building relationships with neighbors (58%) or handing out tracts (34%).

“The majority of even the smallest churches offer church events this time of year and encourage their members to invite people from the community,” Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in that report. “In a society that is increasingly distant and divided, most pastors see opportunities within the interactions that take place around Halloween.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by Shawn Hendricks, director of content for TAB Media Group. With reporting from Lifeway Research.

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