I dislike the traditional Church tract.
I have never been a fan of handing out tracts, fake million dollar bills or funny little mind games as a statement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, these little papers, booklets, etc have made me less motivated to actually witness to strangers because the way that these tracts have been poorly thought out.
Would somebody really want to listen to you explain the gospel on a fake dollar bill?
The answer, more often than not is, “No” — they could care less!
However, I have recently discovered a new type of tract called The Story from Spread Truth Ministries. They have even developed an iOS app for iPhone that allows you to share the tract on your mobile device.
Very nice and innovative!
The Story from Spread Truth Ministries
[tentblogger-vimeo 14569895]
You can also get The Story for your iPhone/iPad.
(I’m sure they are working on an Android version as well as other smartphone versions too!
Check out The Story right now!
[via “The Story” Promotional Video from The Story (ViewTheStory.com)]
Charles Specht says
I couldn’t disagree with you more.
I love gospel tracts. I use them often when witnessing, and have worked with various companies to design interesting tracts. The fact is, yes, people like the interesting designs and it does make them read the tract message. I have even had unsaved people tell me that they keep these tracts pinned on their refrigerator and have read them over and over again, purely because they like the interesting design.
Could it be that your feelings about gospel tracts is just another excuse for not regularly sharing the faith? Personally, I find that to be the case with many, many churchgoers.
Brian Alexander says
Charles, thanks so much for the comment.
I don’t dislike tracts all together..I just dislike the ones that are poorly thought out and executed. Ex: Million dollar bills, with John 3:16 printed on the back.
Would you rather have somebody present you with a true message of the gospel or a fake million dollar bill that gives the condescending vibe?
Charles Specht says
Well, let’s consider for a moment the intent/goal of a gospel tract.
The intent would be to have someone read the message (the “gospel” presentation) on it. That’s the intent.
Now, what would be the receiver’s motivation for wanting to read it? Obviously, I think the “design” has almost everything to do with it.
The same goes for why we design websites and blogs the way we do — so people will visit and read them. If they find it visually stimulating, they’re unlikely to keep reading and leave. That’s why poorly designed gospel tracts are an eyesore, and why people generally throw those sorts of tracts away the first chance they get, without reading them.
I would, however, agree that a wonderfully designed gospel tract with a poor message is unacceptable.
Regarding the million dollar tracts you mentioned earlier, and in your article…those types of designs tend to appeal to people. I speak from experience of giving them out to hundreds and thousands of people. They hold on to them and tend not to throw them away. Lord willing they contain a biblical message of repentance and faith, and should be able to point the reader to a local church or even an internet website to gather more information if they’re interested.
The Apostle Paul said this: “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
I do believe gospel tracts fit into the “all things” and “all means” category.
But don’t get me wrong…I do understand what you’re saying about some tracts. And by the way, I love the idea of an iPhone gospel tract!
Brian Alexander says
I agree with you there. As I have heard it said “Our message comes into question when we do mediocre work.”
I think that applies here with tracts as well. They need to be designed, and presented well so that the people reading them will be able to clearly understand the gospel, and have it change their lives…not because the tract is the means of salvation, but because God is working through the person to reach salvation.
Charles Specht says
Agreed!
Mike thom says
I have had great results with money tracts and those type. I personally feel ur video doesnt cover sin enough. Showing someone what sin is and why we need jesus. Enjoyed video but didnt like the fact of not covering sin much. Also something i do is i do magic tricks. I call illusions. Dont like word magic. I carry small ones in pocket. I go to people and do a trick. They smile and it opens the door. Then i give a tract and share. Works well
Alex Ruiz says
Hello! With God all things are possible who’s to know what God can use? I had tracks that look like real $100 bills someone would pick it up and read it it said disappointed you won’t be if you give your heart to Jesus Christ it had a good word in their I happened to be with my family at a place where they had gambling casinos not that I gambled our drink but I was just dropping those around and I would see people pick them up and the Spirit of the Lord can speak to that person in that moment they may have lost all their money and God could have spoke to them who knows but JESUS?
Jason D. says
We’ve (my church) has used hundreds of thousands of those Living Water tracts you are dissing and they are some of the only ones people come back to us asking for more,… you may consider it poor design but that doesn’t mean the masses do.
Drew says
Just wondering if this tract “The Story” could further be developed with sound, i.e. a narrator reading it for the sight or reading impaired or for the many who love to hear a story like me. Hate reading but love to listen. I use biblein11.com which is really amazing and runs across all smartphone platforms. I just txt the url to people. You can pick up business cards or open the phone book or google out thousands of mobile numbers, albeit, I do only send it to people I have met or asked. Could “The Story” also become audio and slide show supported?
Eric Dye says
We’ll have to forward on your idea-thanks!
Henry says
I’d just like to pass on another way to help spread the gospel and it’s simply this:-
Include a link to an online gospel tract (e.g. http://www.freecartoontract.com/animation) as part of your email signature.
An email signature is a piece of customizable HTML or text that most email applications will allow you to add to all your outgoing emails. For example, it commonly contains name and contact details – but it could also (of course) contain a link to a gospel tract.
For example, it might say something like, “p.s. you might like this gospel cartoon …” or “p.s. have you seen this?”.
Patrick Vine says
Does this work on normal smart phones as well?
do you have this in Spanish?