Through the years, while working with various congregations, I have received mail at the church building addressed in some rather strange ways. However, I recently came across one that I had never seen before. It came here to the Elm Grove church building and was addressed to the “Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator.” It tells how to buy cases of plastic “eggs” filled with either candy or toys. Now, I realize that many denominational churches do sponsor Easter egg hunts, but I guess that I never thought of a church having a specific individual “on staff” who would be identified as the “Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator.” What could be wrong with that?

Well, first, faithful churches of Christ do not observe Easter period, and non-denominational New Testament Christians do not celebrate Easter as a religious holy day. Oh, we may get together with family for a special meal and maybe even let the children hunt eggs, but it is just a traditional family celebration, like celebrating birthdays, and not a religious observance. And yes, I know that the word “Easter” appears in the King James Version (Acts 12:4), but that is basically a mistranslation. The original word is “Passover,” and it was celebrated by Jews, not the disciples. The only “religious celebration” authorized for the church in the New Testament in that on the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread (Acts 20:7). Concerning all other religious observances, Paul told the Galatians, “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain” (Galatians 4:11-12).

Second, the New Testament specifies what “offices” Christ wants and authorizes in His church. There are elders, also known as bishops and pastors, who oversee (Acts 14:17-23, Ephesians 4:11, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4). There are deacons who serve (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8-13). There are evangelists who preach the word (Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:1-5). And there are teachers who instruct in God’s will (Ephesians 4:11, Hebrews 5:12). I am sorry, but I just do not read anything in the New Testament about an “Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator.” I do read, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18).

I personally have no objections to anyone, Christians included, being involved in a secular “Easter Egg Hunt” on an individual basis. When we lived in Dayton, OH, I was part of a civic organization that sponsored a community Easter egg hunt in our local neighborhood with no religious connections or connotations whatever. And when our boys were small, my wife often hid eggs in our house and yard for them to find on “Easter” Sunday after we came home from church services. However, I do object to churches which seem more concerned with the promotion of “eating and drinking” than with emphasizing “righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

By Wayne S. Walker

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