Sermon builder tool - why has Logos not done this?

Michael Miller

Hi Logos.

Certianly this has been asked by all those preachers/teachers out there who love the resources and study using Logos.  I have the schalor editon (older one now) and love all the good resources.  I use Logos to study for sermons and lessons, but I always have to go some where else or use another application to write out the sermon.

But isn't it time that Logos put a simple sermon builder app in its system, or at least partnered with some app out there.  my Sermon builder - suggestions are.....

1) of course, word processing (like MS Word, office).  2) set up customizable outline templates (to keep us consistent), 3) cut/paste bible verses, quotes, illustrations, definitions (straight from Logos), 4) then prepare the delivery (preaching) outline for printing, or PDF for Ipad, 5) So as study weekly for the sermon, we can collect the content, and arrange them for sermons with good content.

Probably not the first to suggest it, but hopefully the straw that breaks the camels back - into adding it.

Thank you - and I still like the software...Rev. Michael

JT (alabama24)

Hi Michael! Welcome to the forums. [:)]

Your suggestion is a good one, but I think unlikely at this point. There was an old feature in L3 called the "sermon file add-in." It doesn't sound like you are referring to that, are you? Some of these features are in beta now through the "personal book builder." You will be able to add your sermons into Logos by "compiling" Microsoft Word .docx files. This process, however, is not done within L4. You create the documents in Word.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Michael Miller said:

at least partnered with some app out there.

Welcome [:D]

Noticed Logos 4.6a Beta 4 => http://community.logos.com/forums/t/55933.aspx includes a Sermon File MetaData Sample personal book template with indexing for use in Logos 4.6a Beta 4 (or newer).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Simon’s Brother

Michael Miller said:

1) of course, word processing (like MS Word, office).

Logos is not going to build a word processor and I don't believe they should.  But there are improvements they could make to notes.What features do you see missing from notes that would assist you in building a sermon ?

Michael Miller said:

2) set up customizable outline templates (to keep us consistent),

I agree this is a needed feature in Logos.  I would like to see the ability to create templates for different studies and be able to create a new note file based on that template, rather than the current situation where we can only open a blank note file.

Michael Miller said:

3) cut/paste bible verses, quotes, illustrations, definitions (straight from Logos),

This can be done easily now cutting and pasting into a note file, or external application like MS-Word.  Can you be more precise in how your needs are not being met by the current features in Logos.

Michael Miller said:

4) then prepare the delivery (preaching) outline for printing, or PDF for Ipad,

How is notes failing you in creating an outline. Notes can easily be printed to PDF if you have a PDF print driver installed or exported to Word for final formatting and then creation of PDF from the word document.   What functionality do you see missing in terms of this aspect ?

Michael Miller said:

5) So as study weekly for the sermon, we can collect the content, and arrange them for sermons with good content.

As you study during the week you can add content either a note file or clippings document to come back to later on when you begin to build your sermon.  How could Logos better assist you in this aspect of sermon preparation.

I am not suggesting Logos is the perfect solution, the questions are just to dig a little deeper into how you would like Logos to better support you in sermon preparation.   

The feature the other posters are talking about currently in beta  I see as being valuable after you have prepared your sermon for keeping a record of your sermons.  I don't see it as helping you build your sermons which I believe you are asking about.  This is where note files, clippings etc come into play for gathering material and building your outline.

EDIT NOTE: I think it is good that Logos doesn't have a specific structured tool that says this is the steps you will use for sermon preparation.  I think the basic tools are there and provide flexibility for different approaches, but there are some things missing, like being able to build your own templates for note files you can re-use a good example.