Logos Mission Cloud ...

It is not uncommon to see people here comment on having books they do not use..... It also appears that many here have a heart for missions...... It is also been commented upon that many cannot afford Logos, but could greatly benefit from it.

Not sure of the logistics of a 'complete' program but here are some ideas (and I am rather new, but can't imagine this is the first time someone has brought something like this up (not trying to steal your ideas ...), but ...):

Logos Mission Cloud

1. Parameters for mission designation status, mission distribution methods, and mission caps (total amount to each mission), etc. are set .....

2. Unwanted purchased books from customers go into a data base to be given to missions. They are taken out of the customer's account and given to missions..... (this could be done automatically in the software .... ' a mission cloud account').

3. Whenever someone purchases a set of books, they have the option to round up to the next highest dollar amount ( i.e. 73 cents becomes $1.00, etc.) and these funds go to missions. An option at check out to designate an additional amount for Logos Missions could also be added.... this would give us the opportunity to give thru-out the year. (a published accountability statement could be on the Logos website, et. al.).

4. In addition to the Black Friday sale, we could have Missions Friday as well ... for instance, those that may have purchased books for yourselves, but did not find the appropriate set on sale, could designate some funds to the Mission Cloud, etc. (of course we could do this TODAY by contacting missionaries we know - or should know - without the assistance of Logos ...). Maybe Logos could consider doing matching funds campaign as well ...

The initial set-up would be demanding, but the dividends could help fulfill, "Thy Kingdom Come, ...."

Just thinking out loud.

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Comments

DMB

I REALLY like the idea of dropping my 'hidden' resources into a 'missions' bin. First, it's convenient. Second I've no idea who would want what and where. And for me, 'hidden' means 'gone'.

What happens after that is none of my business, but making it easy to give is such a GOOD IDEA.

[LATER] In theory, the whole area 'could' be pretty headachy. But as a minimum, a forum area for unneeded resources for missions is still easy to implement (which I presume would include the Logos transfer fee etc.) I've got quite a few resources whose theology I don't totally appreciate but would be a fit for the missions.

Frank Fenby

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308179#Comment_308179

the idea of dropping my 'hidden' resources into a 'missions' bin.

Sounds like the proverbial "shipment of used tea bags sent to support missions." [:D] In many regards resource needs on the mission field are the same as those who sent the missionaries. What is needed on the mission field are good solid Bible reference resources, which are not the kind of resources one is likely to "hide." In missions we can make good use of cast off clothing, etc., but not cast off copies of Targum Jonathan to the Prophets, etc. I could make good use of a dozen copies of almost any Logos base product to help native church leaders in the Alaskan bush.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308195#Comment_308195

Frank ... no offense ... but 'a la contrare'.

Most of my dumpees are quite expensive and become dump-eroni, because I've lost patience with their logic. Most of them have literally shown up on this season's requested sales.

I think if one goes back to the OP's point 'how much do you really USE these', then the idea has a lot of merit.

The other end of the issue is someone needing a resource and simply asking.

And besides, Targum Jonathan is my favorite. He'd never leave my PC except under severe duress (so much of it paralleling Jesus' discussions).

Matthew C Jones

Just thinking out loud.

On first read I like your ideas. When I ponder the implementation (and think out loud) several speed bumps appear:

Any time you buy a Collection of resources you get one license for the included titles. One license means you can not separate some titles out for transfer of ownership while retaining other titles for your own use. Unfortunately some publishers shy away from licensing individual volumes out of a set. Logos just recently started selling ICC volumes individually in their Twitter Daily Deals. Eerdmans only sells retired volumes from the NICOT/NICNT series. Zondervan makes us buy whole sets of Commentaries.

I do not know how the US government regulations (aka IRS) would handle the mixing of a for-profit entity with the activities of a 501-3c (tax exempt non-profit.) I A frequent violation of tax laws occurs with what appears to be misappropriation of ministry resources with business resources.

If Logos would offer gift-certificates they would not have to process donations for missionaries. Dividing the many donations of a "keep the change" program among many widely different recipients would be an impossible task to accomplish without accusations of favoritism. Gift certificates would avoid a lot of headaches.

I say again, I like the end goal of your ideas. I don't know how hard it might be to do them. And as Frank said below; People tend to keep the good stuff and cast off the fluff.

What is needed on the mission field are good
solid Bible reference resources, which are not the kind of resources one
is likely to "hide." In mission we can make good use of cast off
clothing, etc., but not cast off copies of Targum Jonathan to the Prophets,
etc. I could make good use of a dozen copies of a almost any Logos base
product to help native church leaders in the Alaskan bush.

Sacrifice

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308195#Comment_308195

the idea of dropping my 'hidden' resources into a 'missions' bin.

Sounds like the proverbial "shipment of used tea bags sent to support missions." In many regards resource needs on the mission field are the same as those who sent the missionaries. What is needed on the mission field are good solid Bible reference resources, which are not the kind of resources one is likely to "hide." In missions we can make good use of cast off clothing, etc., but not cast off copies of Targum Jonathan to the Prophets, etc. I could make good use of a dozen copies of almost any Logos base product to help native church leaders in the Alaskan bush.

While I agree with you that what is needed on the mission field "are good solid Bible reference resources" (I work at IIIM producing seminary courses for different countries, et. al. - http://thirdmill.org/) other reading is too... Besides, some people hide their Russian, Thai, or Chinese Bible they received as a gift, etc. .... , while not essential for some, these may be essential for others... ,. Some do not use Logos for 'casual readling' - for instance, I do not use Logos to read Pilgrim's Progress - while someone else may value it in that format.... or no longer use their Logos 3 CDs.....

In addition, the other aspects of the plan included cash donations, matching funds, etc. which could help fund what would be considered "essential" for each area. Used or not, many are calling like Paul did saying bring me the books .....

PS: you may be interested to know that some use tea bags more than once. (my mom still does - a left over from her days in the Great Depression ....).

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308221#Comment_308221

Well, Joe, you do have to be impressed with over 6,400 views on the Black Friday and Christmas 2011 sales. I think that speaks volumes.

Sacrifice

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308208#Comment_308208

Super Tramp,

implementation of any project is the diffcult part and no one said it would be easy.... . The laws and copy right stuff would all need to be done and done correctly. If what you say is indeed fact concering the way Logos does their bundles.... then your gift certificate idea may be the solution as a quick work around .....to the end goal (and perhaps a new way of re-bundling for the future could be researched and implemented to help eliminate waste .... or perhaps we could loan a book from our library and then loan it again ..... and again .... ).

I already replied to Frank's idea and I disagree in part - as some of us have different uses for our software - I do not use mine any more for mere casual reading .... so those books could go for me .... and much of it "good stuff" (which is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?) ... but I still rather pick up a hard copy on some books ....

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308227#Comment_308227

In the spirit of fairness, I think that the missions supported should be those least well represented in the Logos community. I suspect this will be a big help to the Huguenots, Abecedarians, Socinianism, Polish Brethren, Chinese Nestorians .... [Y]

Sacrifice

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308258#Comment_308258

MJS,

I agree. That is an excellent idea.

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308308#Comment_308308

I believe SuperTramp was absolutely correct in saying that implementation of this wonderful idea is going to be a major headache, if not an impossibility for LOGOS (the company) alone. A project like this is always better accomplished by a community of people passionate for missions.

What I believe CAN be done:

LOGOS negotiating a "loaning" right for every title in one's library. If it hasn't been done before, it needs to start immediately (negotiation, that is)
Logos Users can pool together to create a self-maintaining database of resources available for loaning
a subset of this database can be used to list individual titles or entire collections that one is willing to give away. Givers and takers can negotiate among themselves who should pay the transfer fee, etc... a-la eBay

Sacrifice

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/308720#Comment_308720

Yes, when crossing over into the promised land of missions there will be some giants to overcome.