People who hand out tracks are just like all other people. Some are really cool, genuine and kind. Some act like rude, obnoxious jerks.
Earlier in my life, I honestly thought that tracts themselves were a total waste of time. Throughout my years in church-world I have seen lots of poorly written, terribly illustrated, overly simplistic and apparently mean-spirited “gospel tracts”. I have also seen tracts used in ways that seem like a total waste of resources (ie. leaving them on every urinal in a public restroom. Gross! Who is going to pick those up and read them after they are sitting on a public toilet exposed to who knows what?) For a while I thought they were just a copout to avoid real evangelism and real ministry.
When it comes to personal evangelism I truly believe that we can make the deepest impact in a person’s life when we are able to interact with them in a relational way, when they see how we live and act in a unscripted, natural setting. Most people in America have already heard of Jesus, but much fewer have actually seen a person up close live out their faith in an intelligible and meaningful way.
That said, my opinion on the usefulness of tracts has evolved over time. I no longer think that distribution of Gospel tracts are an old-fashioned practice and a waste of energy and resources, though some tracts are definitely outdated, and they can be used wastefully. Certainly priority should be placed on meaningful relationships and as we lead people to Christ the relationships should continue in the form of discipling/training that person how to live out their faith. This is something that simply cannot be done through a tract. Tract ministry, all by itself, cannot accomplish the Great Commission to “go and make disciples”. However, while most Americans have heard of Jesus, MANY do not think Biblically about Jesus, Heaven, Final Judgement or other topics that the Bible has some straightforward teaching on. What if you could plant a seed of Biblical truth that begins to alter their perspective, even if only a little?
If you can find a well written, decently illustrated tract (yes, there are a few), these can serve as helpful supplements to other evangelistic efforts to spread the Gospel. Giving away tracts can be equivalent to planting seeds, or watering seeds that another is cultivating within the context of relationships. We all have a finite amount of time, and giving a person something short that they can keep and ponder can be a helpful way to getting them one step closer to relationship with Christ, if both the information and the way it is in the spirit of Christ: “full of grace AND truth”. (John 1:14) Of course, God can use truth poorly presented, after all he can use any thing to accomplish His purposes, but what kind of vessel do you want to be? We should aim to for both right presentation and right truth!
It would be a good thing to bring more truth to more people if we can do so without neglecting the priority of long term relationships and discipleship and can bring that truth graciously. I believe that a good evangelism ministry can be broadened through tract distribution.
Gospel tracts are much like books, only way shorter. Both are printed words on paper. Some are really good and helpful. Others are really bad and unhelpful. Select them carefully, use them wisely and give them graciously.