The Independent today reports that “Evangelical Christian groups in the US have seized on an unlikely recruiting tool to attract teenagers to the church: a violent, shoot-’em-up video game.
“Church groups across the country are increasingly holding special ‘Halo’ gaming nights for youngsters, tapping into the phenomenal success of the Microsoft Xbox video game series …
Jane Dratz, of teen out-reach mission Dare 2 Share, says the game can also be used to stimulate debate. ‘Halo is all about saving the galaxy from an invading force of aliens,’ she wrote on the organisation’s blog. ‘… Saving the world is Jesus’ mission and message.’”
“Dratz” - sounds like an alien herself. But she’s right: I always thought that our Lord made a huge strategic mistake when he didn’t take up Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of this world, nor rectify it at the cross by failing to call on that army of angels to zap his enemies. And “an invading force of aliens” - wouldn’t suggest migrants ’swamping’ our countries, taking our jobs, stealing our women, and polluting the gene pool, now would it?
Mind, the Independent continues: “The use of the game as a recruiting tool is vehemently opposed by some Christians. ‘If you want to connect with young teenage boys and drag them into church, free alcohol and pornographic movies would do it,’ James Tonkowich, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, told The New York Times.”
Now there’s an idea! I wonder if I can spin it to my Elders Meeting tonight.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
dh 10.08.07 at 5:55 pm
Well, I too agree with using “Halo” as a way to attract young people to Christ. However, it was the Apostle Paul, remember mention AFTER Christ’s death and resurrection, who said “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of this dark and present evil age.” So to be sarcastic with this: “I always thought that our Lord made a huge strategic mistake when he didn’t take up Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of this world, nor rectify it at the cross by failing to call on that army of angels to zap his enemies.” seems a little odd. We forget that the redemption by Christ made available to all doesn’t mean that satan has no power whatsoever. The power of sin and death on the cross was dealt with by having redemption. That is the power of satan that was eliminated. He still is in the world today doing his thing but he can no more use the law for his purpose anymore.
dh 10.08.07 at 5:57 pm
Sorry, I don’t want people think I agree with using Halo. I do NOT. It is a terrible way to attract young people to Christ. I was agreeing with Kim in that not disagreeing. Sorry for the lack of clarity there.
It’s Monday. 
Tim 10.08.07 at 7:29 pm
I have to say Dratz’s attempt to change Halo’s message to a Christian one is absolutely pathetic. Halo’s so packed full of religious themes and she uses something so stupidly generic that shows she is just using Halo as it were drink or porn, just a simple way to attract young kids. If she’d actually played the game She’d see the whole thing is about faith. Here’s a slightly better attempt at Chritanising Halo by someone’s who’s actually played the game: http://mininggrace.com/2007/10/01/halo-3-and-the-gospel/
If you’re going to try and use pop culture to bring people into Church at least know what you are talking about.
Ben Myers 10.09.07 at 3:05 am
When I was in high school, we used to go along to the local youth group because it was an excellent place to score cannabis — it worked for me! (And I reckon I would have enjoyed it even more if there were shoot-em-up games and adult films…)
BD 10.09.07 at 3:50 am
http://www.collisionyouth.com/downloads/Halo_Letter.pdf
The letter the church sends home for parental consent.
Do these youth pastors have an education past high school?
An ! instead of a ? and talking about teens in the third person…
“Thanks for your support and for all that you do for your student!”
And US evangelicals wonder why some of us have difficulty taking them seriously.
5 Xboxes and 2 Nintendo stations at Collision night.
The irony is utterly lost on them.
Can the leaders spell cognitive dissonance?
From gaming site EvilAvatar.com:
“It’s amusing to read about conservative christian churches welcoming teens with a game about war waged by religious fanatics following the beliefs of their prophets derived from reading ancient scripture without context, ultimately racing towards a suicidal and foolish end.”
Wandered around a few game sites checking out mind numbingly predictable react …are these independent youth pastors able to just shut up and listen instead of trying to market God?
Never mind, rhetorical.
Instead they’ll build a Halo 3 team to kick serious gamer butt to justify their existance, and give their ‘testimonies’ at a gaming convention and call it soul winning success or, or, or something.
So Kim, when are the Elders putting in some Xbox stations, couple of PS3’s and a Nindendo or two for the gaming challenged?
ee 10.09.07 at 9:11 am
How utterly, utterly depressing.
Methodist Preacher 10.09.07 at 3:02 pm
Another wild bash in the direction of all Evangelicals (phew will these people stop at nothing?).
We are having a local church youth group round on Sunday to watch the RWC semi-final, even serving hog-dogs at half time, I don’t suppose you approve.
Why don’t you share your ideas as to how we could encourage young people into the church, you could publish them on your blog. As a university chaplaim you have plenty of opportunity, but perhaps your church and chaplaincy are full to bursting already?
Sometimes, people can be a bit crass for the best of motives. We may not entirely agree with the way they go about it, but at least they are trying…..which is more than many others do.
Dave Warnock 10.09.07 at 4:53 pm
David,
If the incentive to come to church had been free alcohol or gambling or drugs or sex would that also have been ok if a bit crass?
I want young people to meet a Lord, a Saviour, someone who brings good news to the poor and sets free the oppressed. The way I go about that speaks volumes about my own understanding of God.
How can you compare encouraging people to play adult rated computer games with watching a rugby match?
Do we follow Machiavelli or Christ?
Richard 10.09.07 at 4:54 pm
I’d take what you say about encouragement a bit more seriously if I’d ever experienced any of that from you, David. Forgive me saying so, but your attitude seems consistently hostile and I find myself wondering why you visit this blog. It isn’t compulsory, and it isn’t good for your blood pressure to go looking for things to be irritated or offended by.
On to the main point, which I’ll have to pick up since I don’t think Kim is likely to around for a while.
I wouldn’t question the motives of those using Halo3 for evangelism, but I think it is perfectly in order to question the method. Supposing I started handing out Ecstasy before the service. That should pack them in. Or porn nights? It would make further use of our expensive projector, and I could speak about Jesus’ love while they watch the counterfeit that’s on offer. I look forward to you rushing to my defence at the disciplinary panel!
My ideas? No gimmicks. Preach the gospel. Work at building the church as disciples of Jesus. Encourage people, young and old, in prayer and study of the scriptures. Stay faithful, and keep sowing whatever the soil looks like to you.
Art 10.09.07 at 4:55 pm
I hate to agree with James Tonkowich but he makes a good point. How far does this go?
Tim 10.09.07 at 5:50 pm
@ Dave Warnock
I don’t see why you think you can’t compare playing halo and watching a rugby match. I should also point out that most of the things that make Halo a adult rated game (only in the US I might add, it’s only a 15 here) are not actually part of the multiplayer which is what is being played, no blood, guts or bad language. Really you should look at playing Halo as being no different to playing a game of table football and a Church youth club.
Bene D 10.09.07 at 8:35 pm
I wouldn’t be too hard on David Hallam - it is painfully apparent he hasn’t a clue what is actually being discussed on this particular thread.
While his knowledge of independent churches in the US that chose to take the evangelical label is obviously limited, his awareness of US church marketing and is even more limited. (maybe that is a good thing)
Hallam - give me a good go on the difference and similarities betweeen Collision night and you and the lads getting together to watch a rugby match.
You explain to the rest of us about the church mentioned in the NYT article and the pros and cons.
Knock yourself out.
The comment floor is yours.
You amaze me sir, your ability to read things that are not present is a source of wonder.
Are you able or willing to address the basics of this particular discussion any meaningful level?
Have you read or pondered any of this?
You come over here to connexions, read a post, do no follow up or pretense of understanding and accuse Kim or Richard, or Joel or I of bashing evangelicals.
We are discussing what we believe is a bad idea.
If you aren’t willing or able to admit you aren’t up to speed and contribute honestly, please go elsewhere.
If this topic is too difficult then start with something simple like Ignite the Fire and what California churches in the San Franscisco area chose to do for and with teens instead of protest or participate last year. Surely you can’t complain applauding their choice is evangelical bashing or theologically wimpy.
Bene D 10.09.07 at 8:49 pm
DH: I’m recovering from pnuemonia and unfortunately have an election to work, I need to take a second to commend you.
You have made a tremendous effort to understand your friends here on more than one occasion recently, and I want you to know it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’m really proud of you. Thanks.
dh 10.09.07 at 9:15 pm
BD, thanks for the compliment. What would be nice is if people would be able to make an effort to understand me (kind of in the opposite direction as what you said). For me I’m the type to point out where I agree and where I disagree. I think Richard and others have made a strong effort to come up with topics that a majority of Evangelical Christians would agree on, conservative and liberal alike. When that occurs I’m glad to “show my support”. Thanks to all for people to come up with topics where there is broad range of support.
To go back to the thread. I will say that while I agree with the posts conclusion in its entirety, I believe that the premise that a majority of Evangelical Christians would agree with using “Halo3″ as a tool for attracting young people to Christ. If a believer is witnessing on a case by case basis to non-believers who play “Halo3″ I see nothing wrong with pointing out how the “Scriptureal connections” of the “Spiritual Warfare” that is in the world today is presented in “Halo3″ similar and/or analogous to “Spiritual Warfare” in Scripture. Sorry, that is my “Costal” (Pentacostal)coming out from my SouthernBaptiCalviMinianPresbyUgandanAngliEvangeliCostalLutheranAugustinianNazarene heritage.
Bene D 10.09.07 at 10:42 pm
It would be reallly fun to discuss this, but I’m under the gun (sorry;^)
It is interesting to read US conservative evangelical reaction to bait and switch and the justification of using RPG’s as fishing expeditions.
Anyone with a general biblical grounding and basic knowledge of game play (regardless of political orientation and country of origin) get’s why simplistic ethical choices in the Halo series doesn’t address what some are attempting to rationalize.
It is not just teen age boys finding insult in someone pompously declaring this is relationally how to bring them into ‘the church’, introduce them to Jesus Christ and make them men.
The youth pastors inner child needs some supervision.:^)
To assume Collision night attendees play only Halo is disengenous.
Since the churches can afford all these expensive toys, extensive game libraries are assumed.
Several concerns on hub conservative independent and liberal religious sites have been swiftly put forward. Facinating.
Anyway, carry on, this is a broad topic, and I’m sorry I have to bow out.
Rhys 10.10.07 at 8:12 am
Hey, chill, Kim. At least it wasn’t Left Behind: The Computer Game.
Methodist Preacher 10.10.07 at 9:13 am
Richard - have you ever been involved in any form of evangelism, if so, why do you never mention it?
The impression I am forming, and one that I can only have got from reading connexions, is that you are actively against any form of evangelism.
Why that is, I don’t know, possibly you find it threatening?
Some forms of evangelism make me cringe, but certainly not all evangelism. For example when I was younger I had an aversion to uniformed organisations such as the scouts and BB.
Now I’m not so set in my views as I have seen the positive impact that uniformed organisations can have, for example, in the inner city.
Anyway, I look forward to you positively endorsing some evagelistic activity - perhaps you could let us know how well you work with the Christian Union at Swansea University where you are Chaplain?
Richard 10.10.07 at 9:41 am
“The impression I am forming, and one that I can only have got from reading connexions, is that you are actively against any form of evangelism.
No, that’s the impression that you brought with you, and are determined to cling to. I don’t talk much about what goes on locally because most of the time I don’t think that’s appropriate. However, the on the recent occasion that I did talk about some evangelistic work I’m involved in, I recall that you couldn’t resist a sarky comment.
If you’re genuinely interested in the engagement between the Chaplaincy and the CU at Swansea, maybe we’ll get the chance to talk about it sometime. This ain’t the place.
I can’t resist noticing that if you put the three words sharing good news in Google, a post at connexions is the top hit. And the post it turns up covers my position pretty well.