Sermons

Description #

The Sermons module provides a multimedia platform to manage sermons, with support for audio and video (YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Spotify, etc.), livestreaming, and organization by series and speakers.

Module Integrations #

• Beliefs: Links sermons to Basic Beliefs and Theological Distinctions, connecting doctrinal content.
• Locations: Links sermons to specific campuses for location-specific displays.
• Missions: Includes missionary sermons to support mission-related content.
• People: Connects speakers via Guest Speakers, linking to member profiles.
• Podcasts: Syncs sermons to podcast episodes, creating audio feeds.
• Staff: Links staff speakers, associating sermons with staff profiles.
• Testimonies: Connects speaker-related stories, enhancing personal narratives.
• What to Expect: Provides sermon information for visitors, aiding engagement.
• Recommendations: Links recommended sermons, promoting key messages.

Module Options #

Customize the Sermons module to fit your church’s needs.

1. Navigate to Church Infinite > Website Settings > Modules > Sermons or Sermons > Options in the dashboard.
2. Update the Alternate Term field to rename Sermons (e.g., to Messages). Changes update menus, page titles, links, and other elements instantly.
3. Set media defaults, such as the preferred audio or video source (e.g., YouTube, SoundCloud).
4. Save changes to apply settings across your site.

Content Management #

Sermons #

Description: Sermons are multimedia content items that include audio or video, a Bible passage, and optional notes, organized by speakers, series, and topics for your church’s resources.

Adding:

1. Go to Sermons > Add New.
2. Enter a title (e.g., “The Prodigal Son”) and description.
3. Set the sermon date using the publish date field.
4. In the sermon details section:
   • Choose a speaker (Guest Speaker, Missionary, or Staff).
   • Assign a Sermon Series for grouping.
   • Assign Topics for thematic categorization.
   • Set a featured image (optional; defaults to series artwork).
   • Add a Bible passage (e.g., “Luke 15:11–32”).
   • Upload a PDF (max 2MB) for notes or outlines, if needed.
   • Select media:
     • Audio File: Upload an MP3.
     • Audio Link: Provide a URL (e.g., SoundCloud, Spotify).
     • Video Link: Provide a URL (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo).
5. Click “Publish” to display on the “Sermons” or “All Sermons” page under Resources.

Editing:

1. Go to Sermons > All Sermons.
2. Hover over the sermon and click “Edit”.
3. Update the title, description, date, speaker, series, topics, image, passage, PDF, or media.
4. Click “Update” to save.

Deleting:

1. Go to Sermons > All Sermons.
2. Hover over the sermon and click “Trash”.
3. To permanently delete, go to Sermons > Trash, hover, and click “Delete Permanently”.
4. Note: Deleted sermons cannot be recovered unless restored from a backup.

Media Options: Enhance sermons with:

• Audio: Upload MP3s or link to SoundCloud/Spotify.
• Video: Embed YouTube/Vimeo links for streaming or livestreaming.
• PDF: Include notes or outlines (max 2MB).

Guest Speakers #

Description: Guest Speakers are contributors who deliver sermons, often from outside your church, and can be linked to member profiles.

Adding:

1. Go to Sermons > Guest Speakers.
2. Click “Add New Guest Speaker”.
3. Enter the speaker’s name (e.g., “Dr. Jane Smith”).
4. Optionally link to a People profile by selecting a member.
5. Save to add.

Editing:

1. Go to Sermons > Guest Speakers.
2. Hover over the speaker and click “Edit”.
3. Update the name or People profile link.
4. Save changes.

Deleting:

1. Go to Sermons > Guest Speakers.
2. Hover over the speaker and click “Delete”.
3. Confirm deletion.
4. Note: Deleting a speaker removes it from associated sermons, but sermons remain published.

Linking to People: Connect Guest Speakers to People profiles:

1. When adding or editing, select a profile from the People module.
2. Save to enable profile visibility on sermon pages (if configured).

Sermon Series #

Description: Sermon Series group related sermons (e.g., “Gospel of John”) for thematic organization.

Adding:

1. Go to Sermons > Sermon Series.
2. Click “Add New Series”.
3. Enter the series name (e.g., “Gospel of John”).
4. Optionally add a featured image and color.
5. Save to add.

Editing:

1. Go to Sermons > Sermon Series.
2. Hover over the series and click “Edit”.
3. Update the name, image, or color.
4. Save changes.

Deleting:

1. Go to Sermons > Sermon Series.
2. Hover over the series and click “Delete”.
3. Confirm deletion.
4. Note: Deleting a series removes it from associated sermons, but sermons remain published.

Styling Options: Enhance series visibility:

• Featured Image: Upload an image (e.g., 800x400px).
• Color: Select a color (e.g., #005566) for menus or widgets.

Topics #

Description: Topics categorize sermons by themes (e.g., “Faith”), shared with Articles, Podcasts, and Testimonies.

Adding:

1. Go to Sermons > Topics.
2. Click “Add New Topic”.
3. Enter the topic name (e.g., “Faith”).
4. Save to add.

Editing:

1. Go to Sermons > Topics.
2. Hover over the topic and click “Edit”.
3. Update the name.
4. Save changes.

Deleting:

1. Go to Sermons > Topics.
2. Hover over the topic and click “Delete”.
3. Confirm deletion.
4. Note: Deleting a topic removes it from associated sermons, but sermons remain published.

Cross-Module Use: Topics connect content:

• Articles: Categorizes blog posts.
• Podcasts: Groups episodes.
• Testimonies: Organizes stories.
• Topics added here are available in these modules.

Tags #

Description: Tags provide flexible categorization (e.g., “Revival”) beyond series and topics.

Adding:

1. Go to Sermons > Tags.
2. Click “Add New Tag”.
3. Enter the tag name (e.g., “Revival”).
4. Save to add.

Editing:

1. Go to Sermons > Tags.
2. Hover over the tag and click “Edit”.
3. Update the name.
4. Save changes.

Deleting:

1. Go to Sermons > Tags.
2. Hover over the tag and click “Delete”.
3. Confirm deletion.
4. Note: Deleting a tag removes it from associated sermons, but sermons remain published.

Flexibility: Tags offer versatile organization:

• Use for events (e.g., “Easter”), styles (e.g., “Expository”), or other criteria.
• Apply multiple tags for detailed filtering.