Halo 3 Used to "Recruit" Youth

[ParanoidAndroid]

I love the Halo series. It was what got me hooked to the Xbox when it came out, and it what prompted me to pre-order my limited edition Halo 3, even though I haven't got an Xbox360 yet.

But to use Halo 3 as an evangelistic tool seems to be wrong. What message are we sending out to people if we use Halo to reach out to the community? I'm just curious as to what message is being sent out when we hold Halo 3 events at churches.

For the record, I have never heard of Halo 3 being used in such contexts near where I live. The concept of "mega-churches" is not exactly common, with only one or two in all the country (that I am aware of). Most churches simply would not have the resources to hold a Halo 3 outreach event. Heck, it takes all our organizing powers and effects just to organize a church-wide LAN day, and that's just for people within the church, and never specific to any one video game (though there are the usual StarCraft, WoW, Counterstrike players around).

I tried organizing a Halo or Halo 2 Xbox setup, but only one other person had an Xbox, and he didn't own either of the games.

[Axxman]

Bluebird...

Paul Washers "not so shocking" message has NOTHING to do with this topic and if you think it does then you need to listen to it again because YOU missed the point.

Sounds like you have a decent sized youth group with 150 kids. So what do you guys do? Is your youth group allowed to have ANY fun? Or do they just show up, listen to a sermon, and then walk home in the dark? OH...and if all it takes is being "full of God" then how come your church can't get 98% of those kids parents to church?

ParanoidAndroid...

I don't think a "Halo Party" is necessarily being used as an evangelistic tool. Its just another youth activity. For example...our church has a BIG model car race event each year. Tons of kids sign up. The hook is that a parent has to help you. We do workshops and everything. Its an all day event and we get so many non-members to show up just because it is a fun family event. Is it an evangelistic tool? Maybe...but more than anything it is a way to get our local community involved with our church community. They come for the model car races and because of the people they meet and the Christian atmosphere they witness (which is usually a different atmosphere than they expected)...they often decide to try out our church.

I started going to my church almost 15 yrs ago. I showed up to a volleyball game that I was invited to by a friend. I went for several weeks JUST to play volleyball and hang out. It wasn't long until I was going to hear God's message too. I am confident that the "Halo Party" issue is nothing more than volleyball and model car races.

Also PA...buy a 360 already!!! lol

[ParanoidAndroid]

Also PA...buy a 360 already!!! lol

All in good time, my friend. Being a uni student makes it quite hard to save up for anything. If you want to send me a cheque or money order to get one, feel free. Just PM me your credit card details and we'll get it all sorted, lol.

Just kidding, mate

[EricH]

Set Invisible until source identified

[EricH]

OP unable to provide complete citation (received this through email. I told them that if they could get a complete citation, I would repost

[EricH]

Link was provided by OP. Re-opened

[HisWordIsSufficient]

Bluebird...

Paul Washers "not so shocking" message has NOTHING to do with this topic and if you think it does then you need to listen to it again because YOU missed the point.

Sounds like you have a decent sized youth group with 150 kids. So what do you guys do? Is your youth group allowed to have ANY fun? Or do they just show up, listen to a sermon, and then walk home in the dark? OH...and if all it takes is being "full of God" then how come your church can't get 98% of those kids parents to church?

ParanoidAndroid...

I don't think a "Halo Party" is necessarily being used as an evangelistic tool. Its just another youth activity. For example...our church has a BIG model car race event each year. Tons of kids sign up. The hook is that a parent has to help you. We do workshops and everything. Its an all day event and we get so many non-members to show up just because it is a fun family event. Is it an evangelistic tool? Maybe...but more than anything it is a way to get our local community involved with our church community. They come for the model car races and because of the people they meet and the Christian atmosphere they witness (which is usually a different atmosphere than they expected)...they often decide to try out our church.

I started going to my church almost 15 yrs ago. I showed up to a volleyball game that I was invited to by a friend. I went for several weeks JUST to play volleyball and hang out. It wasn't long until I was going to hear God's message too. I am confident that the "Halo Party" issue is nothing more than volleyball and model car races.

Also PA...buy a 360 already!!! lol

You must not have noticed, i suggested for the person i was replying to, to listen to Paul Washers message for himself. not in regards to this post, in regards to his personal issues. which is why i didnt say everyone else have a look. it was for that particular person for his own stuff.

as far as our youth group goes, yes, were "allowed to have fun" infact, we have tonnes of fun. We dont, however, find sin, a way to have fun. We listen to Christian music, praise and worship our God. We play ball games and other non-violent, unsinful, good clean fun things. We learn about God. we dont just "hear some sermon" we learn about an AWESOME GOD who is far greater than any stupid worldly game.

You see, the volleyball game is fine. theres nothing wrong with having a game of volleyball, outside of church or youth. But bringing an un-godly, violent, weapon filled, killing-encouraging game into the church, is a whole other can of beans. there is no comparison.

oh, and just for your information, we dont let them walk home in the dark. we see to it that each and every one of them somehow gets a lift.

i think, that you should stay on topic, and not take personal stabs.

i pray that the conviction of the Holy Spirit would come upon every person who thinks that unGodly games and the like are a means to an end when they are desperate to catch people. May they find faith in Jesus alone once again. As He is mighty to save, without compromising God's word.

that is all i have to say.