Pastor Refuses Gospel Tract...

[rebornfree]

I appreciate that those of you who give out tracts have good hearts and don't want anyone to be lost but they are very judgemental. Have you seen the Billy Graham ones?

I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life Pack Of 25 Tracts 9781682163252 | Eden

Buy I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life Pack Of 25 Tracts By Evangelist Billy Graham To Aid Church Outreach & Evangelism From Eden - A Christian Business

www.eden.co.uk

When I read the Gospels I see Jesus teaching, loving, healing, casting out demons etc. Although he warns of hell He tells so many parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and love radiates out of the accounts of Him. I'm not a big fan of tracts but if they are used can they be ones which give people an appetite to find out more about Jesus (as well as some contact details to lead them to a church/Christian organisation/Alpha Course, etc.)? Yes, they need to explain that salvation is about accepting Jesus' death in our place (and I think it should be "we are all sinners" not "you are a sinner") but should they not be Jesus orientated rather than judgement orientated? Or why not give out the Gospel of Mark? (I chose that as the shortest). Jesus is Immanuel: God with us; The Word become flesh; it's amazing. John 1 v 1-14 would make a good tract, along with details of how to accept Him and find out more. I think tracts should reflect His glory and love and give people hope.

 

[David Hunter]

Thanks for continue to share, y'all!

As for Gospel Tracts, they have been very effective, especially with opening a door to share the Gospel, and if they don't have time then the tracts takes the message with them for when they're ready to read it. Also, tracts should share the death, burial and resurrection, show someone their sin, and the love of Jesus by what He did for us. We can't leave sin out of it, as even Jesus at with the "sinners" because it's not the righteous who need a doctor, but the sick, as He's called sinners to repentance.

 

[1Tonne]

A recently posted video about when and when not to give out Gospel tracts.

 

[rebornfree]

A recently posted video about when and when not to give out Gospel tracts.

From what I can see, without reading the content, some of those look good especially the You Are Not Alone one.

Thanks for continue to share, y'all!

As for Gospel Tracts, they have been very effective, especially with opening a door to share the Gospel, and if they don't have time then the tracts takes the message with them for when they're ready to read it. Also, tracts should share the death, burial and resurrection, show someone their sin, and the love of Jesus by what He did for us. We can't leave sin out of it, as even Jesus at with the "sinners" because it's not the righteous who need a doctor, but the sick, as He's called sinners to repentance.

I agree that we are not meant to be a Holy huddle but to take the gospel to the world. For some of us that is our families, friends, neighbours etc. I also think that serving the community and bringing people into the church are good ways. So too is writing about the Lord, TV broadcasting (not many of us would have a chance to do that though!), using our Facebook page, etc.

I can see the advantage of tracts in that people can read them later and yes, they should include Jesus's death and resurrection and the need to repent. I just don't like the hard hitting ones which start off talking about hell and judgement. Something about the Lord's life and ministry before mentioning His death and reason for it seems good to me.

I also would prefer people to come into the church first before facing the harrowing news about hell and that they can do nothing about their deceased loved ones. It's so sad but they would have the support of church members who probably have had people they loved who may not have been saved. Also they will learn about the Lord, understand how Christians live and learn what they should and shouldn't do as Christians.

I would never discourage anyone taking the gospel out in any way that works. Personally I like the Alpha Course but I know someone, in my Church, who likes using tracts.

Btw I'm back tracking on my comment about using John 1 v 1-14 simply because it's probably too advanced for someone who doesn't know about God You'd have to explain what 'Word' means in that context. It's a wonderful scripture though!

 

[1Tonne]

From what I can see without reading the content some of those look good especially the You Are Not Alone one.

You can get them here and you can also see what is in them.

https://livingwaters.com/product-category/gospel-tracts/

I like to use the million-dollar notes. They catch the eye, and you can say, "Would you like a million-dollar note?" They will normally take it. Then you can say, "The message on the back of it is worth more than a million."

 

[rebornfree]

You can get them here and you can also see what is in them.

https://livingwaters.com/product-category/gospel-tracts/

I like to use the million-dollar notes. They catch the eye, and you can say, "Would you like a million-dollar note?" They will normally take it. Then you can say, "The message on the back of it is worth more than a million."

Oh thank you. That would be useful to see what's in them.

I have edited my post above several times since first posting so you may not have seen the latest. I tend to prefer to bring people into the Church, but I agree about reaching out to the lost. One thing I've done with some people I know, and also with some homeless folk, is to pray with them for any issue they may have. It's not the full gospel but it shows that some of us believe in God and when they see the answers it may help them believe. I'm in the UK, which is fairly secular, so part of witnessing is to show that the Lord really does exist and to get rid of some of the misconceptions they have about Christianity.

 

[1Tonne]

I tend to prefer to bring people into the Church

I believe by all means we should save the lost. So, bring them to church and pray that they have a revelation of Jesus. (Hopefully, someone tells them the Gospel and their eyes are opened.)

The danger with inviting unbelievers to church is, that it is what most believers do today. They bring unbelieving people to church and then they hope that the newcomer becomes a believer with a true revelation of what their sin is, and what Jesus did on the cross. But often, the newcomer will settle in, sing the songs, make friends and they may even start to learn the lingo of a true believer. They could even make a profession, but if they have not been born again, then we can fill the church with a lot of half-hearted people who love the social side of the congregation (You may see this a lot with youth groups).
If on the other hand, we go out and tell people the Gospel, those that hear it and it cuts them to the core, will then choose to go to church. We then fill the church with people who have a passion for God instead of people looking to be social.
We need to be careful we do not fill the church with people who would be considered weeds amongst the wheat.
In saying this, still invite people to church, but make sure to tell them the reason that you go. That you have sinned and have no way of paying for that sin. So, you need a saviour and Jesus is that saviour.

NOTE: There is no biblical president where Jesus took a non-believer to the temple in the hope that they would see their sins and honour God. But there are plenty of examples where Jesus spoke outside the temple.

 

[MForbes]

Yeah, recording yourself handing out tracts (or, more specifically, recording other people as you try to give them tracts) doesn't seem like it can possibly be constructive.

Yup. Handing out tracts my seem productive to some; however, recording yourself handing out tracts is nothing but self-promotion.

In my opinion it's nothing but "Look at me, folks. I'm a great Christian". Doing this does NOT further the cause. If anything, it damages it.

 

[1Tonne]

Recording what you are doing can encourage others to do evangelism. I get encouragement when I see someone like David going out there and sharing the Good News. It makes me feel like I am not alone.

Also, when I watch him, I can learn. We are all learning. So, when David does something on camera that is good, I may choose to do that too. When he does something wrong, a mistake, we can learn from that as well. So, keep doing the videos. They encourage those who have a heart to save the lost.

Another reason to video your interactions is for safety. A couple of weeks ago when I was sharing the Gospel, I could have used a camera on me. I went to the park and shared the Gospel with a few people. (I do this by doing a chocolate challenge The Great Chocolate Evangelizing trick - This works. ). The first person I went up to was an atheist lady who said that she was adamantly against any belief in a God. I only spent about 1 minute with her, but I could tell she had a hate in her for anyone who would try to show her that there must be a God. She said that she did not want to hear anything I had to say, so I left her.
Then, I walked about 30 meters away where I saw a close friend of mine, whose husband also goes out and shares the Gospel alongside me. She had her kids at the park. I went up to her and we started talking and I gave her kids a small chocolate. We talked for about 10-15 minutes. Lastly, before I left, I told the Gospel to an elderly man.
Then when I got home, I had a phone call from the police saying, "We had a report that you were handing out chocolates to kids." This shocked me.
I then had to explain what I was doing at the park and that I do it often. The police officer then told me that a lady came into the police station, gave them a million-dollar gospel tract and said that I was enticing children with chocolate.
Luckily for me, the police had gone to the park just after I had left, and they interviewed people that I spoke to. They also interviewed the friend of mine who was at the park. She was able to explain what I was doing, and she said that it was good. She said that I also share the Gospel downtown while doing a BBQ, as well as I go off to public events and do the same. She then said to the police that her husband also goes out with me and shares the Gospel. We do it very often and it is good.
So, if it were not for a friend of mine being there and being able to defend me, I would have been in big trouble. I really could have used a camera on me to safeguard me.

 

[The Liturgist]

While passing out Gospel tracts, I handed one to a man who said he was a pastor. How would you have responded if you were a pastor?

I suppose it would depend on the Gospel tract, but I have never seen one that I agreed with as most reflect a credobaptist aliturgical form of evangelicalism which is incompatible with Holy Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and other forms of liturgical Protestantism with which I have always been associated.

On the other hand if someone was passing out the small Gideon Bibles that have the New Testament, the Psalter and Proverbs, I might take one as these are handy (I have another such bible issued I think by another group to soldiers during the Vietnam War which also features some beautiful prayers and some hymns, which I regard as particularly sacred and tend to keep on my home altar due to its history as the spiritual consolation and the hope of salvation for a young man who I believe was killed in action.

So, I can’t support giving out Gospel tracts, but in the US I think many people will take a free KJV if offered, and I strongly support the Gideons and the American Bible Society. The Gideons try to keep hotel rooms stocked with Bibles, despite some luxury brands deciding not to have them*, and one hotel in the UK owned by an atheist replacing its bibles with the disgusting inappropriate contentographic novel whose title refers to different shades of a drab color (I won’t name it). The Gideons also make sure that prisoners have access to the Bible, which is particularly important since prisoners cannot normally access the Internet and read it online.

Also I agree with @Paidiske that their filming of the pastor was totally inappropriate.


*Most innkeepers like the Gideons, and interestingly every resort hotel I have stayed at in Nevada has had them (despite most also having a casino, indeed, one casino, the Riverside, built by an Irish Catholic named Don Laughlin, hosts a Catholic mass). I should note I don’t believe in gambling, but historically those hotels in Nevada with casinos are cheaper than those without. My favorite hotel in Vegas is, controversially, the Trump, because it lacks a casino and is entirely non-smoking, and many rooms in the hotel are owned by people who have them as investments and often live in them part time, and individually decorate them. I would love someday to own a corner suite in that hotel as it is very tranquil.

Marriott Hotels tend to have a Book of Mormon in addition to or instead of a Bible. Also since most motels in the US are owned by members of the endogamous Patel clan/family/caste/ethnic group from India, who are followers of Vishnu, one commonly encounters the Bhagavad Gita in motel rooms, especially off brand motel rooms, although often it is in addition to rather than instead of the Holy Bible. That was the book quoted by Oppenheimer, and the romance scene in that film where he quoted it (as opposed to the scene based on his own statements where he quoted it after the Gadget detonated) caused mass protests in India.

 

[The Liturgist]

I am not saying that. But note that I said to the OP that I felt that handing out tracts was not generally helpful. People do not respond well to someone they don't know pushing material on them in public. It's impersonal and off putting. I do think that leaving material for others to choose to pick up - or not - without any pushing by a person, is slightly different.

In general, though, I think proclaiming the good news is much more effective when we have already established a relationship of trust, rather than people feeling like we are pressuring them "cold."

Indeed, I am in almost all cases opposed to a push approach. Having a table set up where people can pick up free Bibles I can support, but not Gospel Tracts, due to their tendency to be theologically inaccurate.

 

[1Tonne]

I am in almost all cases opposed to a push approach.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Giving out Gospel tracts is not a push approach. You offer it to a person, and they have the choice to accept or reject it.

We need to be careful that we do not make up excuses not to share the Gospel. If Paul and the disciples had taken the approach of "I do not want to use the push approach", then they would have never preached the Gospel in public. We need to be bold and courageous. Not to be afraid. We need to get out there and tell people that they are in great peril. There is a seriousness about it and also an urgency. It is that urgent that we should all be telling as many people as possible. Not just our friends.

 

[The Liturgist]

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Giving out Gospel tracts is not a push approach. You offer it to a person, and they have the choice to accept or reject it.

We need to be careful that we do not make up excuses not to share the Gospel. If Paul and the disciples had taken the approach of "I do not want to use the push approach", then they would have never preached the Gospel in public. We need to be bold and courageous. Not to be afraid. We need to get out there and tell people that they are in great peril. There is a seriousness about it and also an urgency. It is that urgent that we should all be telling as many people as possible. Not just our friends.

I don’t object to sharing the Gospel. What I object to are Gospel Tracts which have a tendency to misrepresent it and which usually contain serious errors related to soteriology, ecclesiology and sacramental theology.

In addition, due to aggressive cults like Hare Krishnas, Scientologists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and others, a “push” approach to sharing the Gospel is much less viable than it was historically. Rather, we have to rely increasingly on attracting people to church, but this in some respects is better, because one aspect of the soteriological and ecclesiological errors found among some evangelicals, which are likely reflected in these tracts, is a downplaying of the importance of church membership in favor of stressing an individual relationship with our Lord, which is not how we are saved according to 1 Corinthians and the rest of the New Testament.

 

[David Hunter]

Regards to just inviting people to church as a form of evangelism, the Church is for believers, not unbelievers. As we can see in America, and I'm sure other parts of the world, when churches start to cater to the world and unbelievers they start to water down the message so they don't offend anyone. The Gospel is offensive to those who are perishing.

As Nathan said about filming, it's great for safety because (as he said above) people who say lies about you. You can use it for encouragement and teaching. We will all mess up, so it helps to share and discuss how we can improve and be an effective witness for Jesus.

The one elder at my church became a Gideon and he passes out the Gideon Bibles and the little New Testament ones.

 

[Palmfever]

So all those tracts and printed out messages I leave in public restrooms, waiting rooms, and elsewhere are a waste of time? I pray after I leave each one, and I know at least one got picked up before I could even get out of the restroom! I sometimes use Chick tracts but I think some of their devil cartoons are over the top, and plainly not true, such as demons controlling hell and escorting lost souls to the pit, etc.
Then again I prefer something that catches attention, either by the title, or a picture.

Here's an example of one I made:

View attachment 344122

Did you just hand us all a tract? Thanks, now where did I leave my magnifiers?

 

[Kokavkrystallos]

Did you just hand us all a tract? Thanks, now where did I leave my magnifiers?

Click on it and it will show full size. Unfortunately the bottom part was clipped, so I'll attach the rest...

 

[rebornfree]

I believe by all means we should save the lost. So, bring them to church and pray that they have a revelation of Jesus. (Hopefully, someone tells them the Gospel and their eyes are opened.)

The danger with inviting unbelievers to church is, that it is what most believers do today. They bring unbelieving people to church and then they hope that the newcomer becomes a believer with a true revelation of what their sin is, and what Jesus did on the cross. But often, the newcomer will settle in, sing the songs, make friends and they may even start to learn the lingo of a true believer. They could even make a profession, but if they have not been born again, then we can fill the church with a lot of half-hearted people who love the social side of the congregation (You may see this a lot with youth groups).
If on the other hand, we go out and tell people the Gospel, those that hear it and it cuts them to the core, will then choose to go to church. We then fill the church with people who have a passion for God instead of people looking to be social.
We need to be careful we do not fill the church with people who would be considered weeds amongst the wheat.
In saying this, still invite people to church, but make sure to tell them the reason that you go. That you have sinned and have no way of paying for that sin. So, you need a saviour and Jesus is that saviour.

NOTE: There is no biblical president where Jesus took a non-believer to the temple in the hope that they would see their sins and honour God. But there are plenty of examples where Jesus spoke outside the temple.

I can see that there could be a danger of people settling in without salvation but that's up to the church, and particularly the person inviting them, to ensure that they know the need to accept Jesus as their Saviour. I think this should be checked out by the leaders before baptism.

Re your note I tend to see Jesus and His disciples as the church rather than the Temple.

 

[1Tonne]

Regarding your note I tend to see Jesus and His disciples as the church rather than the Temple

I agree. We should bring unbelievers to the foot of the cross first. Then invite them along to the fellowship.

 

[rebornfree]

I agree. We should bring unbelievers to the foot of the cross first. Then invite them along to the fellowship.

To be honest I think it could be either way as long as they do get to the point of personal.acceptance of Jesus.

 

[1Tonne]

To be honest I think it could be either way as long as they do get to the point of personal.acceptance of Jesus.

Agreed once again. We can invite people to the church in the hope that they will be saved. By all means, save the lost.
However, churches should not be teaching this as the main form of evangelism. Many churches teach and prioritise friendship evangelism over proclamation evangelism. This should not be so. In fact, there is not one biblical president where Jesus did friendship evangelism. That is, He got alongside someone and became their friend and then when he thought the time was right, He then told them of the Kingdom of God.