Sermon Builder a mystery

Sermon Builder is a complete mystery to me. I have watched it from its infancy and still don't get it. It is too hard to figure out. And, when I want o use on my iPad, I can't figure out how to get the notes to appear on the same screen.

I am sure I will now get beat up by all the fancy users as usual, but it should not be this hard to use.

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Graham Criddle

Hi Bill

Sermon Builder is a complete mystery to me. I have watched it from its infancy and still don't get it. It is too hard to figure out

I'm sorry to hear that - are there any specific things you are finding difficult?

And, when I want o use on my iPad, I can't figure out how to get the notes to appear on the same screen.

I don't know what you mean by trying to get the notes to appear on the same screen - could you clarify please?

Graham

MJ. Smith

I am sure I will now get beat up by all the fancy users as usual, but it should not be this hard to use.

One thing I learned from a carreer in IT that "hard to use" varies by individual. I 'm sorry you fear getting "beat up" because I work hard to call people out for making others feel uncomfortable. I agree that the sermon manager and editor can be intimidating but think a few tips can get you going as it is simpler than it looks. So the first question is "have you watched the Logos training on the sermon builder?" Sermon Builder – Logos Help Center If you have, have you tried to start a sermon? If so, what was the first hurdle you encountered ... asking us questions should get you over them.

Gregory Lawhorn

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1188275#Comment_1188275

I feel your pain, Bill. Personally, I only use Sermon Builder at the very end of the process, when I'm ready to add a few slides for Proclaim. Otherwise I use a program called "Scrivener" for both study notes and the manuscript.

Dave Hooton

Sermon Builder is a complete mystery to me...It is too hard to figure out

I have attempted a couple of "sermons" but I cannot understand the workflow...it is hard to figure out (but I don't need it for my bible studies, where I use Clippings!).

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1188343#Comment_1188343

I have attempted a couple of "sermons" but I cannot understand the workflow

I'm intrigued by the workflow comment Dave - can you expand a bit please?

I use the Sermon Builder pretty much as a standalone activity in preparing a manuscript for a talk

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1188347#Comment_1188347

I use the Sermon Builder pretty much as a standalone activity in preparing a manuscript for a talk

I primarily use Clippings, as you know. So Sermons would have to be a need-to-know.

I'm intrigued by the workflow comment Dave - can you expand a bit please?

It is not intuitive. I can define some slides** and text under Edit, but then I'm lost as to what is next. Slides doesn't function (seems to be view only). Handout only gives me the "main heading" that I see in Text (and a box with "Hide answers"?), but I'm expecting to see the slides and text as shown under Edit (I just discovered "Include in Handout" under Edit, but this is not an intuitive way to get a Handout).

**I've actually forgotten how I created the slides

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1188393#Comment_1188393

Thanks Dave

I use the Sermon Builder pretty much as a standalone activity in preparing a manuscript for a talk

I primarily use Clippings, as you know. So Sermons would have to be a need-to-know.

Understood

I can define some slides** and text under Edit, but then I'm lost as to what is next.

Yes - the Edit tab is the main place I interact with it, writing a manuscript and adding headings. The headings, by default, create slides. These slides can then be exported to PowerPoint / Proclaim etc

Slides doesn't function (seems to be view only).

Yes - it is simply a view of the Slides you have created. I find it useful to see what the set of slides will be which gives pointers to how the overall flow of the sermon will be perceived.

Handout only gives me the "main heading" that I see in Text (and a box with "Hide answers"?), but I'm expecting to see the slides and text as shown under Edit

The Text tab is the place to see (but not edit) the complete manuscript and associated slides. It is nearly a read-only view of the sermon (it doesn't include anything specifically tagged as Question for example, but that's an extra level of detail!) and the view to export if a complete handout of the sermon manuscript is required

Edit (I just discovered "Include in Handout" under Edit, but this is not an intuitive way to get a Handout).

Yes - the Handout section is designed to provide a brief outline to give to people. It will include headings and then anything else you can include by specifically doing so as you mention.

**I've actually forgotten how I created the slides

Slides are created automatically when you add in Headings - and you can also add them manually by selecting text and choosing that option from the popup menu (or the buttons at the top of the Sermon Builder)

Christin Ray Riggs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1188396#Comment_1188396

Horrible program. I have wasted so much time on a program that is not user friendly at all. I wish I could get my money back on just this section. I'll just keep using PowerPoint and stay off of Sermon Builder.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1241644#Comment_1241644

Horrible program. I have wasted so much time on a program that is not user friendly at all. I wish I could get my money back on just this section. I'll just keep using PowerPoint and stay off of Sermon Builder.

Welcome to the forums. Negative feedback is welcomed. But it is more useful if you state why you think it is horrible - what does or doesn't work for you?