Tract ministry. Do you do it and does it work? Any suggestions on how to be effective? Is it effective?

Question

I know someone who put tracts on the DuhVinci Code in the books all over Tulsa, Oklahoma. Several hundred of them. Do you think that would have any impact on anyone at all?

Not Jack Chick. These come from Lifeway (owned by the Southern Baptist Convention).

The DuhVinci was on purpose.

Answer 1

Well, that's somewhat more useful than handing them out to strangers at random on the bus, for example. The fact that the person put them in the book might get them read... maybe.

But, no, I've been a Christian since 1979, and it's a whole different world nowadays. Most tracts are full of "churchified" vocabulary that 90% of the Am. public doesn't even understand anymore. Our church (church of Christ) no longer even has a tract rack, and I remember back in the 80's when it did.

Of all centuries, this one most resembles the first century, I think. You cannot assume anything at all about the beliefs or understanding of a person you might be talking to about the faith. Back 50-odd years ago, most people at least had *some* awareness of traditional Christianity. Not now. Hang around on these boards awhile and see the bizarre questions that get bandied about.

Tracts are history, I think. Most young people don't read anything printed on paper, and don't understand the vocabulary (or shoud I say "jargon" or "code") used by tract writers of the 40's and 50's.

Answer 2

Probably not, no.
The only thing that really got my interest when I first came to God was the passion and the excitement in the man who first told me the truth about salvation (Acts 2:38). Before that I had read the little tracts and said the little prayers for years with no change. By then I was very bitter. But when I heard the truth (which no tract had ever explained) I was very interested. I had never heard you could actually know you have received something real from God!

Answer 3

Honestly, it just makes Jack Chick et al. richer and clogs up a lot of urinals.

Speaking as one of the unsaved, I'd be a lot more inclined to listen to a well-thought out personal testimony than read a mass-produced square of paper.

From a marketing perspective, it's the equivalent of email spam or cold calls. If you really think this is about saving souls, don't skimp on the materials.

Answer 4

I believe they have vary little impact and probably have more negative impact then positive.

Effective outreach/evangelism occurs through authentic relationships.

Placing tracts are devoid of any relationship or personal contact or interest.

Answer 5

Jackkk Chickkk is a satanist

Answer 6

Well if they spell Da Vinci "DuhVinci" they ought to be good for a laugh.