Gospelizing Through Tracts, pt. 2

My interest in tracts has not only made me think about the design of a tract, but the distribution of them too. I often think that tracts, based on their placement, can be seen as quality Bible literature or something along the lines of Bible litter.

Some people are hard core tract distributors, but tactless in it. The one that got me thinking the most (not about the content, but about the placement) was the one placed on a urinal in a public bathroom.

Now I know that God can do miracles and He is able to use even the feeblest of efforts in convicting and converting sinners. But a tract on a urinal? It just seems weird.

Another time I saw a man drop something out of his pocket. He was an older fellow so I, attempting to be a good Samaritan, quickly rushed over, bent down to pick it up, and said, "Sir, you dropped something." It was a tract. He told me I could keep it, and then proceeded to give me three more.

You can see how I came to think that some tract distribution is Bible litter.

Of course, I already mentioned the fake $100 bill tract. Boy, you think you hit the jackpot and are already thinking about what you could spend it on. But the disappointment hits just as hard and just as fast as you look at the back side and see some Bible passages about greed. Maybe it's just me, but if I were an unbeliever I just don't think that I would be in the mood to be converted after that.

David Dickson, in his book on church elders, says that tracts should be "aptly placed." He does not expand on that notion--it was just a passing comment-- but I take that to mean that it should not be random or like the sower in the parable of the sower of the seed. There should be some tact in your tract, perhaps as a follow up of a conversation you had or after a meaningful relationship has developed.

I'm not saying there should not be widespread tract distribution. I'm all for it, as long as it is done "well and in good order." One lady I met has given me the the same tract 3 times. Perhaps 1) she doesn't think it has worked yet 2) she didn't remember who I was, or 3) she's too preoccupied with the distribution and not focused enough on the personal side of evangelism (I do commend her zeal to get the gospel out though).

I have heard about one English man who made it his goal to give out 10 tracts a day, every day of his life. If he could, he would try to warm up to the person and converse with him or her and then hand them the tract. If a conversation could not be developed, he would say, "Excuse me sir, are you a Christian? If not, you're going to hell." Then he would hand off the tract like a baton and be on his way. That could have been done in a way that was brazen. But from what I hear, he pulled it off with a fair amount of finesse (I guess it just depends on the person and situation). I am also told that many people have been converted through his tracts.

So I'm still in a quandary when it comes to tract distribution. I probably know more how not to do it, than how to do it properly. I do know that I'm not the kind of guy who can just go up to someone and break into a conversation. I know I could never go up to someone's house and do the mormon-esc thing. Door to door work strikes fear in me. (Not that I would do it if I had the courage. I think that D2D is a lot like junk mail in our culture. People just don't want to be bothered when they are home.)

At work I try to pass around my audio stuff. I once had a coworker "read" the entire audio Bible that I listen to there. But I'll talk about audio tracts next time.