Evangelistic Tracts and the Born Again Church
Posted by Elizabeth on Thursday, September 18th, 2008Much of modern evangelism in the 20th century was structured around presenting the “gospel in a nutshell” to strangers on the street, asking leading questions about whether that person thinks they will go to heaven when they die and then presenting a formula to answer that question for them; as if the gospel is only about what happens when we die! The gospel is a far more robust message than can be communicated in a few moments using a small tract. The Gospels - the New Testament stories telling the Good News of Jesus offer a variety of examples of how Jesus called people to a life of faith and following Him. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the use of “gospel tracts.” This modern invention may have done more damage than we can even begin to discern today. As we the church think about ways we need to be Born Again, one thing we can do is to focus our energies on more holistic representations of the Good News offered in the context of relationship with the expectation of God meeting people individually and uniquely, not according to some formula of our design.
As we get ready to launch the The Born Again Church Tour 2008 in less than a month, here are some questions for discussion:
Is there a place for evangelistic tracts to be useful and effective in this day and age?
Would you/do you have tracts available for use in your ministry context?
Do you have a favorite evangelistic tract that you’ve seen? How about a least favorite?
What do you think about web-tracts, like The Kristo?
Do outsiders want to hear what we have to say in this way?
You have heard it said, you must be born again. But I say to you, WE must be born again.
Join us on The Born Again Church Tour 2008
September 21st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I’d be interested in hearing from any followers of Jesus who would say that a tract (printed or video) was instrumental in their coming to faith in Christ.
Anyone have this kind of helpful experience with a tract?
September 25th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Hi Elizabeth and Randy. Funny, speaking of tracts, just yesterday Jim found a “Four Spiritual Laws” tract somewhere and laid it on my laptop; I had anything but warm fuzzies upon discovering it! I can honestly say I NEVER had the guts to hand someone one of those back when it was a popular method of ’sharing Jesus’ - instinctively I think I knew that it was disrespectful and just plain weird!
In my ministry context, around 2000, we pulled nearly 90% of all materials from our informational racks. We didn’t have the infamous “Four Spiritual Laws” title, but there were others that were offensive nonetheless. We have left only those that reference how we can help with care and support of those on pregnancy and parenting related journeys - and even so, people rarely pick them up. People who come in our doors are looking for acceptance in the form of relationship, and that means a smile, hug, conversation and real help with their human need…and probably the pizza we have delivered almost daily!
Tracts (beyond the disrespect issue) eclipse the very real need of relationships. Jesus didn’t distribute tracts; choosing instead to meet needs and care for those in his midst - that is our model of relationship. (Besides, it just simply feels right to love people minus the agenda!)
September 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Donna, thanks for commenting. My experience is as one who was very comfortable “sharing” the 4 Laws with people, so much so that I practically had (have?) it memorized. It’s helpful to know how other people view such tools.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:43 am
I don’t find this video any better than a tract at making connections- and videos do have the ability to engage and connect. Despite an attempt at flashy graphics, it is just preaching at people, as opposed to discussing with. Jesus is about relationship, not about the”right” answer.
A video that showed someone dealing with a real world problem, struggling with scripture and finding how it helped might draw people in.
I find that people respond better to grappling with difficult issues in a spiritual context, than to evangelism that provides pat answers.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:53 am
Karen, I like how you say,
I think tracts tend to lead us in the direction of the latter rather than the former.