New Feature: Sermon Editor
What is it? A new “Sermon” document type that can be created and opened from the Documents menu.
This document defines a set of document-like artifacts that cluster around single speech presentation given during a church service. These artifacts are:
- The text of the sermon, which for some scenarios will simply be the body of the speaker’s notes (or outline headings) meant to be read only by themselves, but for the primary scenario, will be a transcript of the words the preacher intends to speak, minus any internal private notes.
What is it for? The Sermon document interacts with the larger Faithlife ecosystem that already exists to support sermon presentation (Proclaim), provide public access to that sermon (Soundfaith), and informs a group of the sermon's existence (Faithlife Groups).
The Sermon document allows the author(s)to organize their thoughts into a document using a familiar word processing interface (not unlike Google documents). During the sermon, this document can either have been exported to Proclaim, PowerPoint, or to rich text for use in other word processing and desktop publishing software. After the sermon's delivery, the document is archived locally and can be searched by its content or metadata.
How does it work? The Sermon document is a standard Logos document type, so it works like any other Logos document, including sync.
How do you use it?
The Sermon document operates much like a standard word processing application:
- Add new paragraphs by hitting ENTER, type or paste text into them, and style those paragraphs with heading styles, block quote styles, and so on.
However, it has some special and unique features
- Editing slides, handouts, and questions
- Exporting directly to sermon-friendly tools
- Auto-detection of Bible references. Type ‘Gen 1:1’ in a normal paragraph, and a hyperlink to your preferred Bible will automatically be inserted.
- Auto-insertion of Bible references as “cards.” Type ‘Gen 1:1’ on its own line and then hit ENTER, and the text of Genesis 1:1 will be retrieved from your preferred Bible and inserted as a new specially-styled paragraph in place of the reference you just typed.
- Auto-extraction of Bible reference cards from typed or pasted text. Type a paragraph that has some Bible references in it. Then select across one or more of those references, and hit the “Insert reference cards from selection” button in the toolbar, and the text of each reference will be retrieved from your preferred Bible and inserted as a new card after the paragraph in question.
- Auto-inclusion of slides where you probably want them. When you make a new heading, a slide with that heading text is automatically inserted.
- Manual inclusion of more slides if you want them. You can also select text from the manuscript and press the “Insert slide from selection” and a new slide will be created
- “Smart art” templates. Double-click on any slide to open that slide in the Media tool (was Visual Copy) and edit your slide’s content or style. Hit the “Update sermon” button in the Media tool to post that change back to your sermon document.
- “Clippings” from Logos resources. Pasting text from a Logos resource into a non-empty paragraph will just paste the text (along with an auto-citation, if your settings imply that). Pasting text from a Logos resource into an empty paragraph will add a Clipping-like card for that text to the Sermon document. (User interface for converting the clipping card to regular text is in the works, but probably won’t make it by 7.0 launch. Pro tip: If you want just a new paragraph with some Logos content, type a space first, then paste, then delete the space.)
- Metadata, including topics covered, key passages, sermon summary/description, audience type, and so on. All searchable.
In a general sense, the ideal use case/scenario goes like this:
- Having researched using Logos Bible Software for a coming sermon, a pastor begins crafting the sermon with the Sermon Document
- Ideally, the pastor will write out a full manuscript, inserting headings at various levels (1–5), which will constitute the sermon's outline
- Creating a single manuscript with the Sermon Document automatically edits multiple documents all together at once:
- The sermon manuscript
- the sermon presentation consisting of a set of slides
- a “handout” to be printed and included as a bulletin insert (if any) or in the Faithlife Groups bulletin (if set up)
- a set of study or reflection “questions” meant to be printed and given out to small groups for further discussion, or to be posted online as a document for discussion group homework or personal reflection during the week.
- All of these artifacts share a common structure, that is, the set of headings that defines the sermon’s outline that appears in the sermon manuscript also appears in the slide list, the handout, and the questions. Thus, some paragraphs within the main sermon document editor will belong to the manuscript, some to the handout, and some to the questions. Slides that align on the left margin belong to the slide presentation. This is a key distinctive of the Sermon Editor feature in L7. It’s also fairly unusual as document editing software goes, as it requires thinking about how to edit four things at once. Under each heading, there may be some sermon text, some passages to print in the handout, some slides to show, and some questions having to do with the same topics and ideas addressed by that section of the sermon. Having these all in the same place is a convenient way to fulfill all your sermon related needs.
- Once the artifacts have been edited and previewed, they can be exported. This feature is intended to “work best” with Proclaim (and Soundfaith and Faithlife Groups), so it is easy to send the sermon to a Proclaim presentation with one click. The resulting slide presentation can be further edited.
- The sermon manuscript with its attendant metadata can be posted to Soundfaith with one click, and handouts and questions can be printed or exported to rich text for further manipulation in a word processing program of choice.
Comments
- Auto-inclusion of slides where you probably want them. When you make a new heading, a slide with that heading text is automatically inserted.
- Manual inclusion of more slides if you want them. You can also select text from the manuscript and press the “Insert slide from selection” and a new slide will be created
- “Smart art” templates. Double-click on any slide to open that slide in the Media tool (was Visual Copy) and edit your slide’s content or style. Hit the “Update sermon” button in the Media tool to post that change back to your sermon document.
- Auto-inclusion of slides where you probably want them. When you make a new heading, a slide with that heading text is automatically inserted.
- Manual inclusion of more slides if you want them. You can also select text from the manuscript and press the “Insert slide from selection” and a new slide will be created
- “Smart art” templates. Double-click on any slide to open that slide in the Media tool (was Visual Copy) and edit your slide’s content or style. Hit the “Update sermon” button in the Media tool to post that change back to your sermon document.
What is it?
I noticed that your screenshot is exposing another new document type that is not available in Logos 7. I am wondering if its possible that this was inadvertant?
Morph Grid?
For book reviews and more visit sojotheo.com
Hi Jonathan,
I noticed that your screenshot is exposing another new document type that is not available in Logos 7.
This is a Logos Now function. All the lines marked with an asterisk at https://community.logos.com/forums/t/129206.aspx require Logos Now (including Sermon Editor).
Morph Grid?
Yes, that's what I was referring to. I was trying to be subtle though in case they were intending to keep that under wraps for some reason.
Hi Jonathan,
I noticed that your screenshot is exposing another new document type that is not available in Logos 7.This is a Logos Now function. All the lines marked with an asterisk at https://community.logos.com/forums/t/129206.aspx require Logos Now (including Sermon Editor).
I'm a Logos Now subscriber, but don't have access to the Morph Grid document type.
This is a Logos Now function. All the lines marked with an asterisk at https://community.logos.com/forums/t/129206.aspx require Logos Now (including Sermon Editor).
The asterisk in that post represents features new to the Logos 7 release.
Thank you for this explanation Jacob. For me, this is a great addition to the product. One question - will the Sermon document be available on the mobile versions of the software? I usually take a paper Bible and iPad into the pulpit with me, and preach from the iPad, so it is only of real use if it is synced to the iPad and available to me to read on it.
At first glance, and a little bit of playing around, this appears to fill in a number of the gaps in my preaching workflow that are currently covered by running between apps and copying/pasting: I really like it. If it fills in the gap of allowing me to preach from my iPad as well, that would be fantastic.
Running Logos 6 Platinum and Logos Now on Surface Pro 4, 8 GB RAM, 256GB SSD, i5
One question - will the Sermon document be available on the mobile versions of the software? I usually take a paper Bible and iPad into the pulpit with me, and preach from the iPad, so it is only of real use if it is synced to the iPad and available to me to read on it.
The sermon document is not yet available on mobile, but we know this is something a lot of people will want to see.
In the meantime, if you have WiFi in your church, you could Export your sermon document to SoundFaith.com then load that on your iPad. (With the latest iPad, you can put Safari and Logos Bible side-by-side to have a Bible text up too.)
This workaround isn't perfect (not all the Bible links open in the Bible app, it doesn't have an optimised reading view, etc.) but those are issues we want to address (and we're interested in any other feedback you have about the experience on SoundFaith).
One question - will the Sermon document be available on the mobile versions of the software? I usually take a paper Bible and iPad into the pulpit with me, and preach from the iPad, so it is only of real use if it is synced to the iPad and available to me to read on it.The sermon document is not yet available on mobile, but we know this is something a lot of people will want to see.
In the meantime, if you have WiFi in your church, you could Export your sermon document to SoundFaith.com then load that on your iPad. (With the latest iPad, you can put Safari and Logos Bible side-by-side to have a Bible text up too.)
This workaround isn't perfect (not all the Bible links open in the Bible app, it doesn't have an optimised reading view, etc.) but those are issues we want to address (and we're interested in any other feedback you have about the experience on SoundFaith).
Thank you for the quick response Bradley - I can also print/export it to Word, which is what I'll probably do. We don't have reliable wifi at our church building, so I like to be certain I've got the full notes with me before I start. I'll probably continue to do that until syncing with the iPad is available. It still saves me the trouble of compiling sermon files as Personal books and putting the data table into it before importing it to Excel! Being a cautious sort of guy I will probably also continue to save my sermon files as Word documents anyway in the short term.
Running Logos 6 Platinum and Logos Now on Surface Pro 4, 8 GB RAM, 256GB SSD, i5
Thank you for the quick response Bradley - I can also print/export it to Word, which is what I'll probably do
And once you have it in a Word document you can import into a Logos Notes document and then use that in the Bible app on the iPad.
This allows having Notes on one half of a split screen and a Bible open on another.
Again - not perfect - but a good way of working for now.
Wow.....sermon editor is a great idea, but I've got an additional (important) step in my workflow. I've become a huge fan of mind mapping tools to structure sermons and lessons. For a while, I used markdown to outline using headings (as per the editor) in a text editor before writing but about a year ago started using mind mapping software to work through my initial structure. I'd love for the sermon editor to be able to import an OPML file from a mind mapping application into the editor.
For a while, I used markdown to outline using headings (as per the editor) in a text editor before writing but about a year ago started using mind mapping software to work through my initial structure. I'd love for the sermon editor to be able to import an OPML file from a mind mapping application into the editor.
We'll have someone evaluate OPML. Thanks for the suggestion!
I'd love for the sermon editor to be able to import an OPML file from a mind mapping application into the editor.
[Y]
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Great idea, Clint. The Sermon Editor is really tempting to incorporate into my workflow (especially on those Sundays when I use visuals), but I'd never leave mind mapping. 
Abram K-J: Pastor, Writer, Freelance Editor
Blog: Words on the Word
Abram,
I agree about the power of mind mapping. It has really helped tighten and focus my preaching. I do slides every Sunday, so the Sermon Editor is a tool that could potentially be a huge time saver. I'm excited about giving it a try this week.
Wow.....sermon editor is a great idea, but I've got an additional (important) step in my workflow. I've become a huge fan of mind mapping tools to structure sermons and lessons. For a while, I used markdown to outline using headings (as per the editor) in a text editor before writing but about a year ago started using mind mapping software to work through my initial structure. I'd love for the sermon editor to be able to import an OPML file from a mind mapping application into the editor.
Agreed!!
It'd be icing on the cake if Logos would export sermon docs to markdown...
This looks great!
Eventually it would be nice to have a quick way to view the outline of the sermon.
I see that I can do that by adding every heading to the handout, but it would be nice to have a way to do that automatically or have an additional tab that is automatically populated with the outline based on the headings.
Is there a way to drag and drop lines to reorder them (retaining their formating)?
Drag-and-drop editing for paragraphs is not currently supported.
If not, can that be added
We'll add it to the list of features we're considering for future releases. Thanks for the suggestion!
Is this only available on Windows? I'm not seeing it on Mac
Is this only available on Windows? I'm not seeing it on Mac
You need to purchase a Feature Set to enable this feature. See this post for additional details:
https://community.logos.com/forums/p/129472/841280.aspx#841280
Andrew Batishko | Logos software developer
I got gold. Did that not include the feature set?
Is it possible to copy the sermon document as a template?
Is it possible to copy the sermon document as a template?
You may via https://documents.logos.com/ which has a duplicate function.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Thanks Smith,
I though the Copy document function can be done within the Logos application system. [:P]
I'm thrilled to see the Sermon Writer on Logos 7. It's a great step, and has some nice features. However, in creating great advanced features, it seems like the designers have forgotten some basic functionality (I'll humbly accept correction if I've misspoken).
1. A large % of users (assumption) preach from mobile devices. Why would the capability to load sermons to the mobile app not be included? Editing in mobile is a feature that can come later, but we need a basic read-only feature in mobile right away.
2. Keyboard function is critically lacking. I have to use arrows on my keyboard to go back to the beginning of a line opposed to keyboard shortcuts (a small but frustrating and time consuming problem). I'm also unable to add accent marks to words. I preach in French, and accent marks can change whether I'm preaching about a sinner, a fisherman, or a peach--it's a big deal. Logos has standard keyboard shortcuts enabled across the platform, except for Sermons.
3. I was already using copy and paste between Logos and MS Word to add content to my sermons. I was a bit surprised I still have to do this with Sermons. If I didn't know you could highlight and "Send to Notes" in Logos, I wouldn't even consider this. But the fact that it's so easy to add something to a note makes me wonder why I still have to copy and paste to Sermons.
4. Adding other translations besides preferred from within the Sermons tab? Copy and paste?
Again, I couldn't be more thrilled with the introduction of Sermon Writer. I love the creativity of Logos in going beyond the basics to make a product work hard for the end user (sort of). I'm just afraid that this point that in adding great advanced features, they have forgotten some of the basics. I'm looking forward to updates sooner rather than later to address some of the basic functions that are missing.
Anyone else, thoughts?
I'm also thrilled to see the Sermon Editor! It looks like it's going to be an incredibly helpful tool!
I love that slides are created as I write. I can see this saving me a lot of time.
The ability to sync with mobile and then preach from a tablet will be the number one feature that gets me using Sermon Editor. Otherwise, there's little point right now.
Also, I use a colour coding system in my sermons to indicate Statement, Explanation, Illustration, Application etc. Right now there is no way to change the colour of text in the editor (as far as I can tell). Is that something that could be considered!?
I'm enjoying exploring this great-looking new tool!
Right now there is no way to change the colour of text in the editor (as far as I can tell). Is that something that could be considered!?
Yes, we are considering how to best support this.
Yes, we are considering how to best support this.
Thanks Jacob!! That's great news.
If there was any way of creating custom 'styles' like in Word, or similar to the Highlighting tool, that would also be awesome!
This is a great future that I think is going to get used a lot by many.
Thanks Faithlife!
... a basic read-only feature in mobile right away.
We do plan on supporting sermon documents in our mobile app. In the meantime, a basic read-only access to your Sermon is available on SoundFaith.com. You can post the Sermon there using the "Export..." button.
Keyboard function is critically lacking. I have to use arrows on my keyboard to go back to the beginning of a line opposed to keyboard shortcuts (a small but frustrating and time consuming problem). I'm also unable to add accent marks to words.
I'm sorry to hear this. I'm able to use keyboard shortcuts like Home and End to move to the beginning of a line and Ctrl+Left/Ctrl+Right to move by words. We'd love to fix this. Can you provide any more detail about these problems?
... the fact that it's so easy to add something to a note makes me wonder why I still have to copy and paste to Sermons.
We went with paste because it's much easier to explicitly position where you want the pasted content to appear. Paste gives you greater control over where you put your content. But we are considering a "Send to Sermon" feature.
Adding other translations besides preferred from within the Sermons tab? Copy and paste?
Yes, from the specific translation you want to quote, right-click anywhere within the verse. On the right side of context menu, select the tab corresponding to the reference, then click Copy (on the left). Pasting into the Sermon document will add a passage card for the specific translation you copied from.
It's pretty that I can't input Chinese character in the editor.
... I can't input Chinese character in the editor.
Thanks for the report. We'll investigate this issue.
Just upgraded to 7. In my documents menu, I don't have anything called "Sermon Editor." Am I looking in the wrong place?
Thanks
Just upgraded to 7. In my documents menu, I don't have anything called "Sermon Editor." Am I looking in the wrong place?
You should have something there called "Sermon". Do you?
“The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara
No. I have: bibliography, clippings, handout, notes, passage list, prayer list, reading plan, sentence diagram, syntax search, visual filter, word find puzzle and word list.
Thanks
No. I have: bibliography, clippings, handout, notes, passage list, prayer list, reading plan, sentence diagram, syntax search, visual filter, word find puzzle and word list.
Thanks
The Sermon editor is available in Bronze and above.
Andrew Batishko | Logos software developer
Really happy about the Sermon Editor. I have 13 Sermons/Bible Studies saved. Thank you for adding it and working on improvements.
Is there a way to organize sermons in folders?
Thanks
Elder/Pastor, Hope Now Bible Church, Fresno CA
Wow, this feature has a TON of potential, I have just played around with it by adding an older sermon into it to see how it would work, I like it but I don't think it's ready to depend on.....I'm sure it will be.
A few things that either are missing or I don't see the option:
1. A "send to sermon <name>" much like Proclaim would be great.
2. I see that to start a sermon I need to pick a heading (H1, H2) I would like to write before the first heading. My intro.....
3. I see we can do numbered lists but I like to use A, B, C....underneath my headings which are numbered. I think this is just basic formatting that will come later.
4. I saw you will address this, but an option to send to a mobile device. I tried exporting to a pdf and it came our looking crazy (see below)
5. An option not to make slides. Or a toggle to turn them of....
I think this feature alone is worth L7, great job. Thank you!
I see that to start a sermon I need to pick a heading (H1, H2) I would like to write before the first heading. My intro.....
You can turn off the Heading on the first line and it will revert to the text format
I see we can do numbered lists but I like to use A, B, C....underneath my headings which are numbered. I think this is just basic formatting that will come later.
The alpha-numeric lists were added during the beta period. Initially it was simply numbers. You can use the tab key or the indent key on the toolbar to change the alpha-numeric level. Unfortunately there is only one list style available right now.
An option not to make slides. Or a toggle to turn them of....
You cannot turn the slide option on or off right now, but you can delete slides you do not want
I see that to start a sermon I need to pick a heading (H1, H2) I would like to write before the first heading. My intro.....You can turn off the Heading on the first line and it will revert to the text format
I see we can do numbered lists but I like to use A, B, C....underneath my headings which are numbered. I think this is just basic formatting that will come later.The alpha-numeric lists were added during the beta period. Initially it was simply numbers. You can use the tab key or the indent key on the toolbar to change the alpha-numeric level. Unfortunately there is only one list style available right now.
An option not to make slides. Or a toggle to turn them of....You cannot turn the slide option on or off right now, but you can delete slides you do not want
Thanks!
Will the ability to include custom art be added in the future?
For example I have a graphic of four wine glasses I want to use as I preach on Luke's version of the Lord's supper. Luke mentions two cups and I would like a graphic as I explain a bit about it. Sure I can add that manually to my powerpoint presentation, but It would be nice if I could add it to my Logos sermon file.
Sarcasm is my love language. Obviously I love you.
Will the ability to include custom art be added in the future?
For example I have a graphic of four wine glasses I want to use as I preach on Luke's version of the Lord's supper. Luke mentions two cups and I would like a graphic as I explain a bit about it. Sure I can add that manually to my powerpoint presentation, but It would be nice if I could add it to my Logos sermon file.
We're working on a feature for the Media tool that will allow you to upload your own background images. When that happens, you might be able to add a blank slide with your image into your sermon.
Great work Devs! Another thought along these same lines: We have the ability to import slides from GraceWay Media in Proclaim. We use that feature weekly. What are the chances of having the same functionality in the Sermon editor?
Phil, I have various resources in my Logos library such as Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Biblical World in Pictures. Is there a way for me to add an image from them to a Sermon document?
Is this now possible on L7? Looking to use some of our own media for slides and it would be great to include them in the sermon editor for easy use and export later.
Is this now possible on L7? Looking to use some of our own media for slides and it would be great to include them in the sermon editor for easy use and export later.
It is available for Logos Now subscribers - see https://community.logos.com/forums/t/136581.aspx for more details
The Sermon Editor is immediately my favorite new feature of Logos 7.
I am hoping that the metadata fields will be expanded to include info such as Delivery Date, Occasion, Location (many folks preach at different churches).
If I'm going to start putting every sermon in here, I will need a more robust way to sort and view sermons, rather than simply in the order of last edited.
The Sermon Editor certainly has a lot of potential. I do not usually use PowerPoint, handouts, and full manuscripts, but I do like how the Sermon Editor streamlines and integrates all of these elements, which would make me even more likely to integrate occasional maps and images into a bible study.
In order to use the Sermon Editor, however, I'd need to have the formatting tools to easily segment, indent, and rather simply outline Greek and Hebrew text, whether by sentences, clauses, prosodic units, or other smaller or larger units (poetic or otherwise) (cf. the Lexham Discourse Bible and Propositional Outlines). I tend to preach and teach more extemporaneously with my notes (in OneNote) framed around the original language text, usually with an accompanying English Bible translation. I'd likely use the Sermon Editor, however, if there were more (even very basic) options for formatting and editing English and original language texts, whether in tandem or independently. It doesn't seem quite up to the task yet, and I don't know if it's in the plans, but I'll at least tinker around with it some more.
The export to PowerPoint feature is less than ideal. The slides are exported as images so I can't edit them or add animations etc. How about making it so that they are not images but editable?
The export to PowerPoint feature is less than ideal. The slides are exported as images so I can't edit them or add animations etc. How about making it so that they are not images but editable?
That would be really great for several reasons - not only to edit the text, but also for example where we might want to add another image/shape onto the slide in PowerPoint, but arrange it behind the text which overlaps it, yet before the background image.
In cases where the text would be exported by Logos 7 using a font that the user does not have available in PowerPoint I wouldn't mind if there was font replacement or if the text was displayed in the default font for PowerPoint, instead of a nicer font if exported as an image. Or, maybe there could be an option for exporting as either image or text?
Is there spell check in the sermon editor? If so where is it found?
Why would a person request a spell check in a word processer? would that not be a standard feature?
I just found that we do have spell check in the "key topics" tag but not in the body of the text. So maybe they will add it soon.
Thank you Graham and Bradley. I had not checked the actual text, I assumed that since it was now marked ESV in Proclaim and it was saying ESV on the slide it was ESV!! My bad if it wasn't I guess (go figure, lol). If that is the case then I can just turn off the "show version on slide" toggle and not add confusion for the people. Seems it's been reported so let's hope it's a quick fix and taken care of.
I have a question/problem with the sermon editor that I wonder if anyone might be able to help me with.
Sometimes when I enter a bible passage reference such as Gen 1:1 it creates the slide with the text from the reference.
Other times when I type in the same reference, it simply treats the reference as simple text and does not create a slide with the verse text,
I can't seem to figure out what I am doing that is different.
Any thoughts
Thanks. That helps.
I have also found that it does not seem to recognize all abbreviations that logos typically does.
For example I sometime have to type out Genesis rather than use Gen.
Not a big deal, just something I have become aware of.
Tried out this feature for the first time and I really enjoyed using it even though I'll probably never use many of the features. I would like an option to only add the verse reference(s) to the slides rather than the whole verse. I like the sound of flipping pages, but having the reference easily available is really nice.
It also seems that over time the number of sermon docs will grow very large and it may become difficult to manage/find specific docs. Will there be folder or other management options added to help deal with this down the road?
Thank you for this feature.
Question: When I copy and paste a quote from a resource sometimes I get an uneditable unit with a top citation. Other times, when I right click from the sermon doc vice <command> v, I get plain text with the usual citation below. Is there are way to transfer between these two formats without deleting and trying to paste again?
Thanks again!
I love the new minimalist editor, and although of course I'd be happy to see more features, I have to say that having a note-taking editor _in_ the study app is what I personally needed for my studies. I expect to use it a good deal!
However, right now it's really badly integrated with the rest of the app -- for me, the most surprising lack is the ability to do anything with references. You can't hover over them to see them, can't left-click to follow the link (it merely moves the cursor), can't right-click to see a context menu (the resulting menu has only "cut/copy/paste" instead of the usual glorious reference menu); they're drawn as though they're hyperlinks, but so long as you're editing, they're _not_ (I see that I can click on them when I switch to "text" view, but of course this is no help while I'm editing).
I'd love to see more abilities to use those references. I mean, that's what Logos is all about!
But don't let me end on a "down" note. I'm using the new editor, and I'm glad for it . Thank you!
I have to say that having a note-taking editor _in_ the study app is what I personally needed for my studies. I expect to use it a good deal!
The Sermon document would probably not be the best tool for note-taking during study. It is really intended to be used after your study is complete and you are ready to actually create a sermon. The best tool for note-taking would be a notes document.
However, right now it's really badly integrated with the rest of the app -- for me, the most surprising lack is the ability to do anything with references. You can't hover over them to see them,
The references in the notes document provides this capability
Is there a way to get some outline for,acting like in Word? I like to use Roman numerals for my main points, then add su points under each as in outline form. The current editor just seems clunky. M I'm just missing how to do it. I would also say that we RALLY need a read only way to peach off of it in the iPad.
You could just use the Roman numerals when making your outline that is what I have done like this
I. Main Point
A. Subpoint
B. Subpoint
As far as iPad you can export the sermon to a rich set format and then open it in whatever you use and make sure the editing is good. Or you could always export in clipboard then open whatever text editor you use and simply paste it in there. Hope that helps
Is there a way to get some outline for,acting like in Word? I like to use Roman numerals for my main points, then add su points under each as in outline form.
When the first beta was released the editor only included a number list: 1, 2, 3, etc. It would start over at 1 when indented. They incorporated the alpha-numeric list you currently see. However that is the only style that s available. I do not know if they plan to include other list styles in future releases.
I would also say that we RALLY need a read only way to peach off of it in the iPad.
This is something that was also discussed during the beta, and in several threads since release. I agree that this is something that is really needed to make this tool useful to those who may not have internet in their churches, or where they preach.
A work around has been suggested by FL. They suggest that you export the sermon to SoundFaith and use that to preach from. However that requires an reliable internet connection.
FL has said they are working on making sermon documents available on mobile, but that could mean a month, 6 months, a year, or longer. Only Bob knows the day and time[;)]
I would also say that we RALLY need a read only way to peach off of it in the iPad.This is something that was also discussed during the beta, and in several threads since release. I agree that this is something that is really needed to make this tool useful to those who may not have internet in their churches, or where they preach.
Ideally also the ability to edit on a mobile device instead of read-only, as there are often last minute edits/notes which need to be made, which are easy to make by writing on paper, but not so easy on a read-only digital version such as pdf. I know, it's a wish-list item, but I just thought that I'd mention it since the topic came up again.
I feel there are two things missing that should be there. First not all of proclaims pro media is available. For instance I found a slide background for my sermon before downloaded logos 7 and then after the download that slide is not available in logos 7 sermon editor.
Secondly unless I am missing something there needs to be a spell check. It is rather embarrassing to make a slide or a handout with spelling errors.
It would be nice to be able to turn off the slides function and perhaps default that setting—many of us don't use slides for every (or any) sermon.
Great feature!
Currently there is no setting to prevent the generation of slides, however (you may or may not be aware) you can delete any or all of the slide generated with the exception of the Title slide. Simply click on the desired slide(s) and select delete
As a Proclaim Pro Media subscriber and a Logos Now subscriber I am somewhat disappointed that the Media browser does not include ALL the artwork I am paying for. I would like to suggest that this be addressed in a future update.
As a Proclaim Pro Media subscriber and a Logos Now subscriber I am somewhat disappointed that the Media browser does not include ALL the artwork I am paying for. I would like to suggest that this be addressed in a future update.
I agree Keith. I am not a Logos Now subscriber but I am a pro media subscriber and I had already had a background picked out for this weeks message however that background did not appear in logos so I ended up changing my background. There are several things that I hope they improve I the sermon editor an this is one of them.
Second I hope they come out with spell check. Unless I am missing something there is no spell check feature. Also perhaps a better way to export it would be wonderful to export and keep the formatting or make it so that you could preach using logos from your iPad then an export would not be necessary. I know there is the confidence monitor in proclaim but that is to much distraction. These are a few things I hope to see in the future
As a Proclaim Pro Media subscriber and a Logos Now subscriber I am somewhat disappointed that the Media browser does not include ALL the artwork I am paying for. I would like to suggest that this be addressed in a future update.
Hello Keith, I plan on adding support for a majority of Pro Media series in Sermon Editor in the near future.
Is there any way we could get auto-capitalization of words in a new sentence?
Having spell check also would be great.
Having spell check also would be great.
FL has already said that would be in a future release
Not sure if I am doing this right, but I am running into a challenge with exporting to powerpoint. I followed the instructions in the "help" screen. When I try to export it I choose a file location and follow the prompt to save, then I get a message saying it couldn't save it and it asks if I want to retry. When I retry I get the same results. Any thoughts?
This is what I see...
Hi George,
We'd like to investigate why exporting to PowerPoint is not working as expected for you, and to do that, log files would be extremely helpful. You can find instructions to collect log files here for Windows or here for Mac.
When you've finished collecting them, feel free to post them here and we'll take a look.
Thanks!
Ian Fisk
The "Add slides from selected text" function is not working for me when I select text outside of the Sermon Editor (i.e. commentary, dictionary, etc.). Anyone else having this issue?
Thanks!
This thread has really gotten away from the original intent, which was to announce and discuss the new sermon editor. I have contributed to the various rabbit trails it is now going down.
It would probably be better to create a new thread for specific problems you are encountering using the new feature.
... when I select text outside of the Sermon Editor
Yes. This button is specifically referring to text selected within the Sermon document. You could use it if you wanted to create a slide that displays a specific phrase you were going to say.
If you Copy from a commentary / dictionary and paste into a new, empty paragraph in the document, it should automatically create a card with the copied text and create slides for you. If you don't want to create a card/slides, you can paste into an existing paragraph with text and it will just paste in the copied text.
I hope that helps!
I hope that helps!
Perfect. Thanks much! Got it working now.
I had a problem today with the Editor. While typing a thought and requesting a slide, I noticed that there were SEVERAL duplicates of the text that I had typed. When I tried to erase them, instead, the processor deleted only some of them and erased text that I wanted to keep. I don't know how it happened, so I cannot duplicate it. But it cost me two hours of sermon prep.
Question, are there plans to add more text formatting features to the sermon editor? Color choice, fonts, and highlighting would be very useful.
I am a new user of the sermon editor. I'm not a pastor but I'm putting together notes for a class and I really like this tool.
However, I wonder if there is a way to add the current document that I am working on to a link set?
When I add a verse reference, it changes to a link that I can hover over and view, which is really nice, but if I click on the link, it always opens a new Bible tab. I would like for it to open in the Bible tab I already have open and which is in a link set.
Is this possible? Am I doing something wrong when clicking? I want to jump back and forth between my bible tab, my other resources, and my document, without having new tabs opening all over the place.
Thanks
I am also new to the sermon editor. I tried it last night but I had several issues with it and gave up in frustration. I will be speaking on proverbs soon so I found the Lexham Background slides for proverbs in the media tool. Clicked on them and said send to new sermon document. The sermon editor opened but it had no slides. I had to manually add each one.
Then after that, I added in several verses I wanted to talk on but I couldn't move the slides around once they were in there. Lastly, I had Pr 2:4-5 as a slide but I wanted to change it to 2:3-5. When I clicked to edit the slide I had to type in everything manually.
Am I just dense/ignorant or is there a easier way to do this w/ less frustration?
Then after that, I added in several verses I wanted to talk on but I couldn't move the slides around once they were in there. Lastly, I had Pr 2:4-5 as a slide but I wanted to change it to 2:3-5. When I clicked to edit the slide I had to type in everything manually.
Am I just dense/ignorant or is there a easier way to do this w/ less frustration?
It might have been easier to delete the slides for Proverbs 2:4-5, then type Proverbs 2:3-5 (just the reference) and hit enter. This would then create the slides.
Clicked on them and said send to new sermon document. The sermon editor opened but it had no slides. I had to manually add each one.
When I try it the slides do appear in the sermon document - and if I edit them they are all there - but the view of the slides in the editor is blank. I suggest you start a new thread where we can explore this further
Then after that, I added in several verses I wanted to talk on but I couldn't move the slides around once they were in there.
That is currently a limitation - adding this functionality has been requested.
Thank you Philana and Graham. In regards to Philana, the reason why I didn't want to do that is because the new slide would be at the bottom and I cannot move the slides.
Graham, I'll try your suggestion later today or this weekend. I do hope we can move slides in the future. I guess I am too used to using PowerPoint. I really like the automatic adding of verses but that is all I can use at the moment. I think until future additions come, I'll create my verse slides in Logos and export to PowerPoint
Have you tried selecting "Send Hyperlinks Here" on your Bible tab dropdown menu?
What is it? A new “Sermon” document type that can be created and opened from the Documents menu.
Thanks for this intro. I just upgraded to Logos 7 partially to check out the sermon editor and quickly became very disappointed. I was told that Logos had all these training/tutorial videos and the salesperson sent me a link to logos-pro where I would find them. However the sermon editor video was simply a fast-paced sales tool, not a tutorial on how to use it. I feel quite misled. However your summary gave me a bit more insight, so again thanks.
Have a great day,
jmac
What is it? A new “Sermon” document type that can be created and opened from the Documents menu.Thanks for this intro. I just upgraded to Logos 7 partially to check out the sermon editor and quickly became very disappointed. I was told that Logos had all these training/tutorial videos and the salesperson sent me a link to logos-pro where I would find them. However the sermon editor video was simply a fast-paced sales tool, not a tutorial on how to use it. I feel quite misled. However your summary gave me a bit more insight, so again thanks.
Hi Jim
If you scroll down on this page there is a series of training videos at the end that I am finding helpful (my thanks to Graham Criddle for these) https://www.logos.com/logos-pro/sermon-editor#tutorials
I have not been able to figure this out, but I was wondering if anyone knew how to link to a resource (instead of including the text in a card). In other words, I want to reference a resource as a linkable item in my library, but I don't want to include the text in my sermon document.
For example, I may want to say something like, "some commentators believe that..." and then link the commentary. Instead of copying the text and inserting a card into my sermon.
Thanks!
Which version of Logos 7 do I have to have to get Sermon Editor? Way back when Logos was on disks, I had a Sermon Creator (or something like that), which stopped being usable during various upgrades. I think I had Logos 6 Silver, but now only have have Logos 7 starter pack, and don't seem to have access to Sermon Editor in my Documents menu.
It's a shame to have had access to an earlier version (that worked well for me) but access to nothing now.
You need to ensure youn have the Full Feature Set - or a Faithlife Connect subscription,
A summary of what features are available at different levels is at https://www.logos.com/compare/feature-sets
How do you identify the answer to a question while creating a sermon so it can be hidden or displayed on the handout?
Select the answer text and then click "fill-in" from the popup menu
Thank you, Graham. This is REALLY cool. Using a series of "question" fields (each line on the example below), I was able to create a question with 4 multiple choice answers, with indication of which was correct as the "fill-in" answers that can be hidden on the Handout.
WOW - the possibilities...
Thank you Faithlife.
Yes - it is very nice. And it extends very nicely when creating and exporting slides.
I included the following line in a sermon document (all on one line at the moment as automatic generation of slides doesn't work across multiple lines at the moment so I can't quite reproduce your example)
Then when I export the slides to Proclaim or PowerPoint three separate slides are generated automatically (you can see that there are three slides indicated in the sermon document). The screenshot below is from PowerPoint
I think this is very nice[:)]