What are Chreasters?

Response

“Chreasters” is a colloquial term used in certain Christian circles to describe individuals who only attend church twice a year, during Christmas and Easter. The term “Chreaster” is a blend of the words Christmas and Easter.

Every church has its own Chreasters, whether or not they are explicitly referred to as such. Attendance typically surges during the annual Christmas service and Easter Sunday; pastors anticipate these two services to be the most well-attended of the year.

There is nothing inherently wrong with attending church during the Christmas season and Easter, and a church should warmly welcome all visitors, regardless of their frequency of attendance. The issue arises from some of the misconceptions that a Chreaster might hold. For instance, a Chreaster could be a nominal Christian who mistakenly feels secure about their salvation simply because they show up at church twice a year. If the Chreaster views Christianity primarily as a reflection of cultural norms rather than a transformative, vibrant relationship with Christ, they may attempt to “sustain” their faith through sporadic church visits.

Alternatively, the Chreaster may believe they are morally good enough without attending church regularly, a notion that contradicts Romans 3:10; or they may only go twice a year to please their spouse (which is commendable, but there are better reasons for attending church). There is also an underlying assumption that Christmas and Easter hold more significance as “holy” days compared to the rest of the year, despite the Bible teaching that all days are equally sacred “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”, (Romans 14:5). If a Chreaster claims to be a believer, they are disregarding the biblical instruction not to neglect gathering with fellow believers for worship.

God exhorts us in «not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. », (Hebrews 10:25). If the Chreaster is an unbeliever, then he needs to be saved «And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: », (Acts 17:30).

We are not saved by church attendance. However, church attendance is important for the believer in Christ. A relationship with the Father naturally leads to the desire to fellowship with the Father’s children on a regular basis «Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. », (see 1 John 5:1). The need for fellowship, acceptance of accountability, and worship of the Lord, so foundational to regular church attendance, is lost on the Chreaster.