Are most churches moving away from tracts?

[evangelist6589]

One church I was in years ago had a massive tract wall with lots of selection. However most these days have few tracts for people or most are not used and such. This begs the question if most churches are moving away from tracts and just not sharing their faith as they once did but sending out missionaries but ignoring american culture and the many lost.

 

[ShagNappy]

Many churches have realized that a great many tracts are vile, hate filled, un-Biblical piles of tripe that do far more harm than good. They are also associated with things which give Christians a black eye, such as the classless people who use the money tracts instead of a tip.

 

[RLBosley]

Many churches have realized that a great many tracts are vile, hate filled, un-Biblical piles of tripe that do far more harm than good. They are also associated with things which give Christians a black eye, such as the classless people who use the money tracts instead of a tip.

While that is probably all true that doesn't mean tracts are useless or should be abandoned. Tracts, good ones, are very useful and helpful things. I actually use "money tracts" and almost always have positive reactions, however I have 2 rules for these tracts:

1. Never leave it, by itself, as a tip.
2. Never give it to beggars by itself or even with cash/food

I also have 2 rules for general tract use:
1. Never force it. If they don't want it say "OK, have a nice day."
2. If left with a tip at a restaurant, leave a good tip - at least 20%. I try to avoid using the money tracts with tips at all.


To the OP: I think a part of the reason is that most churches just don't do evangelism of any kind, let alone the confrontational style that tracts are geared towards. By and large, I think we've been indoctrinated that we need to bring the lost to church and have the "professionals" tell them the gospel.

 

[Salty]

How many on this board became a Christian - at least in part due to a Bible tract?

I have heard that less than 10% store coupons are redeemed.

I would suppose that Bible tracts have even a lower %

But is even one soul worth the time and money spent on Bible tracts?

Found this blog called "Sharing Jesus?

 

[evangelist6589]

While that is probably all true that doesn't mean tracts are useless or should be abandoned. Tracts, good ones, are very useful and helpful things. I actually use "money tracts" and almost always have positive reactions, however I have 2 rules for these tracts:

1. Never leave it, by itself, as a tip.
2. Never give it to beggars by itself or even with cash/food

I also have 2 rules for general tract use:
1. Never force it. If they don't want it say "OK, have a nice day."
2. If left with a tip at a restaurant, leave a good tip - at least 20%. I try to avoid using the money tracts with tips at all.


To the OP: I think a part of the reason is that most churches just don't do evangelism of any kind, let alone the confrontational style that tracts are geared towards. By and large, I think we've been indoctrinated that we need to bring the lost to church and have the "professionals" tell them the gospel.

Very wise response. Yes never leave a tip with only a money tract and never give to beggars. I have made these mistakes however recently I included cash and a money tract at a restaurant. You are right in that most are not evangelistic. I will also say that many think that mowing someone's yard and being involved in service projects is evangelism when it is not.

 

[evangelist6589]

How many on this board became a Christian - at least in part due to a Bible tract?

I have heard that less than 10% store coupons are redeemed.

I would suppose that Bible tracts have even a lower %

But is even one soul worth the time and money spent on Bible tracts?

Found this blog called "Sharing Jesus?

I am a Calvinist and believe God can use whatever means to bring the elect to salvation. All I do is obey the great commission.

 

[go2church]

Save a tree, build a relationship

 

[Revmitchell]

Many churches have realized that a great many tracts are vile, hate filled, un-Biblical piles of tripe that do far more harm than good. They are also associated with things which give Christians a black eye, such as the classless people who use the money tracts instead of a tip.

Aaaannnnnddddd....back to reality.


Tracs are not a primary source any more but they are being used quite frequently for situations where time does not permit relationship building.

 

[Salty]

Tracs are not a primary source any more but they are being used quite frequently for situations where time does not permit relationship building.

and to add to that - tracts should not be used as a substitute to relationship

 

[ShagNappy]

Aaaannnnnddddd....back to reality.


Tracs are not a primary source any more but they are being used quite frequently for situations where time does not permit relationship building.

I did not say they were all garbage or that they should not be used. Our friend here started a thread on churches moving away from tracts and I am discussing some of the reasoning behind it. Many tracts are awful, some are great and my church will be using them when working with the food bank handing out food.

 

[evangelist6589]

I did not say they were all garbage or that they should not be used. Our friend here started a thread on churches moving away from tracts and I am discussing some of the reasoning behind it. Many tracts are awful, some are great and my church will be using them when working with the food bank handing out food.

There are so many cases where a tract is all you can do to get out the gospel. At the grocery store, the bank, going to a fair, going to downtown Denver, etc.. Building relationships takes time, and in a busy city few have that time as most have their own cliques, family, and are attached to their phones and social networking profiles. What better way to witness than a tract in our society?

Also the world will not think highly of christianity as Jesus himself said you would be HATED for his sake in John, so trying to make it attractive to the world, or trying to say that tracts give christens abad rap is very unbiblical, because the world should and will hate those that stand for the gospel.

 

[ShagNappy]

or trying to say that tracts give christens abad rap is very unbiblical,

I will have to ask you to quote book, chapter, and verse where the Bible mentions tracts and that not liking some of them, and certain uses of them in the past giving us a black eye, is unBiblical.

I won't hold my breath...

 

[evangelist6589]

I will have to ask you to quote book, chapter, and verse where the Bible mentions tracts and that not liking some of them, and certain uses of them in the past giving us a black eye, is unBiblical.

I won't hold my breath...

Hello but the printing press was not invented for sometime a long time after the last Bible book was written. God expects us to use common sense and He has laid out the principles for us to follow in His word.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

One church I was in years ago had a massive tract wall with lots of selection. However most these days have few tracts for people or most are not used and such. This begs the question if most churches are moving away from tracts and just not sharing their faith as they once did but sending out missionaries but ignoring american culture and the many lost.

What's a tract?

 

[DHK]

What's a tract?

a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function <the digestive tract>—see gastrointestinal tract, lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract

From Merriam-Webster.

 

[ShagNappy]

Hello but the printing press was not invented for sometime a long time after the last Bible book was written. God expects us to use common sense and He has laid out the principles for us to follow in His word.

In other words.... you were talking out your ear again!

 

[DHK]

2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

 

[RLBosley]

2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

I always thought it was obvious he was talking about the OT Books and the NT letters. Do you have another opinion?

 

[DHK]

I always thought it was obvious he was talking about the OT Books and the NT letters. Do you have another opinion?

Books: There were no printed books as we know them. The word is biblia, of which A.T. Robertson says:

The books (ta biblia). Probably papyrus rolls. One can only guess what rolls the old preacher longs to have with him, probably copies of Old Testament books, possibly copies of his own letters, and other books used and loved. The old preacher can be happy with his books.

If you one want Biblical evidence for a tract, his "writings" would be the closest one would get. That is all.

 

[RLBosley]

Books: There were no printed books as we know them. The word is biblia, of which A.T. Robertson says:

I know that there were no printed and bound books. When I said books I was using it in the way Paul did here.

If you one want Biblical evidence for a tract, his "writings" would be the closest one would get. That is all.

Maybe. But I think that's a stretch. A tract is written to unbelievers for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Paul's letters were to Christians to instruct them in the faith.

ALSO.... 1,000th post!