Firstly, it is my conviction at this juncture that salvation tracts do not serve to minister the gospel to people in a Christ-like manner. Most tracts (over) emphasize the sinful nature of the individual. It is a negative focus through which they are being convinced that they are first fallen and a displeasure to God, then only that Jesus is the only way to salvation and life eternal.
Secondly, one needs to consider the relevance of tracts in a day and age where a substantial portion of our lives are lived and managed electronically. Relating to this would be the amount of information that people already take delivery of daily by means of numerous forms of electronic and printed media. A tract handed to an individual may well be considered simply one more piece of paper to an individual who might already be inundated by paperwork and information.
The intention of salvation tracts may well be to convey the grace and love of God toward the individual, to the extent that God forgives their sins. Nevertheless intentions cannot be read from paper, neither can the love of God become a reality to a non-believer through the absence of someone to convey it to them.
I believe that we have a Biblical blueprint from which to build and implement extremely effective ways of sharing the Gospel. Practically every method of evangelism described in the Bible involves personal engagement with people. This in turn involves demonstrating God’s love to people in a practical manner.
I do hold to the belief that God can use anything to advance His heart and message to people, however His true desire in His infinite Grace is to utilise us. We are not capable of this by any means. Nonetheless I believe that He wants us to have a part in the joy of undertaking the Great Commission:
“18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
I believe that we are the best method of evangelism in our culture today - globally. When we start sharing the narrative of what God is writing in our lives, that will inspire a genuine curiosity in the individual about God. Consequently, explaining the Gospel to that individual is a simple matter of responding to their curiosity and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to them according to where their heart may be at that particular junction.
Important to note is that this matter pertains mainly to our local situation (South Africa) and similar settings, not everywhere globally. As a friend rightfully pointed out to me tonight, tracts are particularly useful in other parts of the world for spreading the gospel where there may be no other way as a result of persecution and the like.
I agree with this, and my post is not aimed at slamming tracts altogether. Neither am I suggesting that my point of view should be considered the be all and end all of effective evangelism. What I am emphasising is a consideration of the seemingly lacking element of personal connection with people and allowing them to see Christ at work in our lives. It is so easy for us to say amazing things about Christ as opposed to living it out for people to see.
We’re all human. Let’s work at this together. The challenge that I am putting out – to myself perhaps more so – is giving people a simple, two-word experience: Tangible Christianity. Everyday. Every way.
