Sermon Series Categories

The Sermon Series Categories tables allow for categorized view and control of sermon series on set top devices (Roku and Apple TV). These apps each have horizontally scrolling lists of sermon series, which directly correlate to the Sermon Series Categories.

 

Adding a Category

In order to get started, you’ll need to create a new “Category”, which Sermon Series can then be attached to. In most scenarios, the Categories page can be found under the PocketPlatform page section. Here’s an example category:

Position can be used to control the order in which the category appears on the device. Lower number means it’ll display higher. Tip: If you have a lot of categories and need to bump something to the top but the top items have positions such as 1, 2, 3, 4, you can use a negative number to achieve a higher position (e.g. -1 will display before 1 or 0).

Use the Start Date and End Date columns to optionally schedule when the category should be visible.

Adding Sermon Series to Category

Now that you have a Category, it’s time to start populating it with Sermon Series. There are two ways to do this. The first is from the Category page, using the “Sermon Series” subpage:

Click “New” and select the series you want, along with position, start date and end date, which function the same way as these properties do on the Categories table. Using the Start and End Dates, you can schedule when the series is displayed in a category. Note that this is in addition to the normal criteria of a sermon series display parameters. The series must be Published in order to be visible inside of a category.

 

Alternatively, from the Sermon Series page, you can add categories via the Categories sub page:

Again, Start Date, End Date, and Position all work the same way. This time you’ll need to choose the Category in which you want the Sermon Series to display.

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Sermon Widget

Adding the Sermon Widget to your website

You’ve created a Sermon Series, and you’re using Sermons and Sermon Series in your App.  How do you get those same great sermons onto your website?  We have a widget for that 🤓 !

You can use the sample embed code below anywhere on your website and you’ll immediately see the published Sermon Series and Sermons the same as you would see in your App:

Please note: If you don’t know the base API domain for your PocketPlatform app, just reach out to us and we’ll get you the info.


<div id="pocketplatform-sermons">
<h5>Loading sermons...</h5>
</div>


<script src="https://MYCHURCH.api.pocketplatform.io/app/PocketPlatform.js"></script>
<script>
  PocketPlatform.sermons().then(function(sermons) {
    sermons.init('#pocketplatform-sermons');
  });
</script>

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Podcast Feeds

Available Podcast Feeds

Your PocketPlatform subscription includes support for automatically generated podcast feeds.  If you haven’t already, please fill out the Podcast Information Form and provide the requisite information.  Once we’ve received the information, we will configure things and let you know the base URL for your Podcast Feed.  4 Podcast Feeds are available for your use as needed.  Let’s assume that your base URL for Podcasts is https://mychurch.api.pocketplatform.io/.  The following feeds are available to you:

  • https://mychurch.api.pocketplatform.io/v1/podcasts/feed.xml
    • A list of all published Sermons in all published Series
  • https://mychurch.api.pocketplatform.io/v1/podcasts/seriestype/123/feed.xml
    • A list of all published Sermons in all published Series in Series Type = 123.
    • You can substitute any valid ID for 123.
  • https://mychurch.api.pocketplatform.io/v1/podcasts/congregation/456/feed.xml
    • A list of all published Sermons in all published Series for Congregation ID = 456.
    • You can substitute any valid ID for 456.
  • https://mychurch.api.pocketplatform.io/v1/podcasts/congregation/456/seriestype/123/feed.xml
    • A list of all published Sermons in all published Series for Congregation ID = 456 in Series Type = 123.
    • You can substitute any valid ID for 123 or 456.

Required Data

The following conditions must be fulfilled for items to appear in the Podcast feeds.

  1. Series – The sermon series must be published
  2. Sermon – The sermon must be published
  3. Sermon Link – The sermon link must be published, must be an audio file ending in .mp3, and the Video Duration field must be > 0

If you use the Media Manager, the Video Duration value will be automatically set for you.

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Adding Sermon Notes to a Sermon

Adding Sermon Notes Presentation

Adding Notes to a Sermon

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2019 @ 9:37 am

Did you know that your users can take sermon notes – right in the PocketPlatform app?  Using the powerful Custom Forms available from MinistryPlatform you have a simple and effective way to help your users remember the important parts of a sermon or other message.

Prerequisites:

In order to complete this task, you should have

  • A basic understanding of Custom Forms in Ministry Platform
  • A completed PocketPlatform Sermon
Adding Sermon Notes Presentation

Assigning a Form to a Sermon

Creating a new form

  1. In the MinistryPlatform Nouns, select “Custom Forms”
  2. Click “Forms”
  3. Click the button for “New”
  4. Create the form as you would any other form – you may use the form designer, or create fields manually

You may use basic HTML in the Alternate Field Label box when creating your fields.  Any HTML that you use that is not supported will be stripped by PocketPlatform.

Creating a new Custom Form

It is recommended that you use terms relevant to the sermon you are attaching it to.

For example, if your Sermon Series is called “Church Matters,” the Sermon is called “The Purpose of the Church” and the Sermon date is 21 July 2019, you could use something similar to one of the following as the Form Name:

  • Church Matters: The Purpose of the Church
  • Notes: The Purpose of the Church
  • Sermon Notes for 21 July 2019
  • Notes 21/07/2019

Ultimately, though, the decision is yours and what works best for your organization.

Linking the Sermon Notes to the Sermon

Now that you have created a new Custom Form for your Sermon Notes, it’s time to assign that form to the Sermon so it will appear on your app!

  1. In the MinistryPlatform Nouns, click “PocketPlatform”
  2. Select “Sermons”
  3. Click the Sermon Record to which you would like to attach this form
  4. Click “Edit”
  5. Use the dropdown menu to select the form you would like to use
  6. Click Save

Selecting a sermon for Notes


Sermon Notes Form Selection

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Adding a Sermon

Adding a sermon to a sermon series

So – you’ve created a Sermon Series, and now you need to add some sermons to it. Well, rest easy, because with your MinistryPlatform know how and the PocketPlatform app, this is one skill you’ll have mastered before your coffee gets cold!

Please note: In order to add a Sermon to a Sermon Series, you must have already created at least one PocketPlatform Service Type, one Sermon Speaker, and one Sermon Series. If you have not done these, please refer to the appropriate articles before continuing!

Creating a New Sermon

Creating a new record

  1. First, open the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns
  2. Next, click “Sermons”
  3. Finally, create a new record.
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Create a New Sermon
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PocketPlatform

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Sermons

3

Create New Record

Required Information

The following fields are available when creating a new sermon.  Names in red are required.

  1. Series – The sermon series {link} this sermon belongs to
  2. Congregation – The congregation this sermon originated from.
  3. PocketPlatform Service Type – The type of service this was.  Most churches only have one.  For more information, see this KB article {link}
  4. Title – The title of the sermon
  5. Subtitle – The subtitle of the sermon
  6. Description – A detailed description of the sermon
  7. Sermon Date – The date the sermon was originally preached
  8. Sermon Speaker – The individual who gave the sermon. For more information about sermon speakers, please see this KB article {link}
  9. Scripture Links – The relevant scripture for the sermon.
  10. Position – The display order of the sermon
  11. Use for Podcast – this field is deprecated and has no effect
  12. Status – “Draft”, “Hidden”, or “Published” – the status of this sermon.
  13. Notes Form – a link to a custom form in MP for this sermon to be used as interactive sermon notes.

Be sure to save your new sermon after you have filled out all fields!

PocketPlatform | The Fields of the Create New Sermon Screen

Adding a Sermon Image

Once you have saved your new sermon, you can easily add an image. This image will be used throughout the PocketPlatform application as a visual indicator of this sermon.

  1. If the Sermon you want to add an image to is not already open, open it by opening the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns, selecting “Sermons” and clicking the name of the Sermon you would like to use.
  2. Once the record is open, click the button “Attach a file”
  3. Select an image file from your computer to use for the sermon series using the MinistryPlatform dialog that appears.

PocketPlatform has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of image dimensions, however for best results please use an image with the following dimensions:

  • 1920 x 1080
  • 72 dpi
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Attach an Image to a sermon
1

Attaching a file

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Adding a Sermon Speaker

Adding a Sermon Speaker

Adding a Sermon Speaker

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2019 @ 2:17 pm

PocketPlatform makes it easy to identify which pastor or guest speaker gave which message with a callout under each sermon graphic and on each sermon item on the Sermon Series detail screens. Read on to see how you can add a new Sermon Speaker to use when creating your Sermons.

Adding a Sermon Speaker

Creating a new Sermon Speaker

Creating a new record

  1. First, open the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns
  2. Next, click “Sermon Speakers”
  3. Finally, create a new record.
Create New Sermon Speaker Record

Required information

The following fields are available when creating a new sermon series.  Names in red are required.

  1. Contact – The Contact record you would like to use
  2. Display Name – The speaker’s name
  3. Bio – A short biography of the speaker

Be sure to save your new speaker after you have filled out all fields!

Sermon Speaker Record

Adding a Sermon Speaker Image

Once you have saved your new Speaker, you can easily add an image. This image will be used throughout the PocketPlatform application when the Sermon Speaker is referenced.

  1. If the Speaker you want to add an image to is not already open, open it by opening the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns, selecting “Sermon Speakers” and clicking the name of the Speaker you would like to use.
  2. Once the record is open, click the button “Attach a file”
  3. Select an image file from your computer to use for the sermon series using the MinistryPlatform dialog that appears.

PocketPlatform has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of image dimensions, however for best results please use an image with the following dimensions:

  • 800 X 800
  • 72 dpi

Sermon Speaker images work best when they are a square image with the subject centered and a decent amount of gutter between the subject and the outside of the image.  Do not create a circular graphic, as PocketPlatform will automatically crop the image to a circle when needed.

Add Sermon Speaker Image


Sermon Speaker Image Formats

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Adding a Service Type

Adding a Service Type

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2019 @ 2:16 pm

PocketPlatform Service Types help you to organize your sermons and messages.  In many cases, only one service type will be needed – something like “Sunday Morning Worship” – but adding additional service types allows you to segment out other services as well, such as Nights of Worship or Special Events.  PocketPlatform generally requires at least one Service Type before you can create a Sermon Series

Creating a new Service Type

Creating a new record

  1. First, open the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns
  2. Next, click “PocketPlatform Service Types”
  3. Finally, create a new record.

Adding a new Service Type record

Required information

The following fields are available when creating a new Service Type.  Names in red are required.

  1. Service Type – The Name of the Service Type, such as “Sunday Morning Worship” or “Saturday Contemporary”

Be sure to save your new Service Type after you have filled out all fields!

Create New Service Type
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Adding Sermon Links

Sermon Links Example

Adding Sermon Links to a Sermon

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2019 @ 2:15 pm

Now that you’ve added a Sermon to your Sermon Series it’s time to add some media resources! Adding Sermon Links to your Sermons is how you add video and audio playback to the PocketPlatform app, so we’ve made it super simple and accessible – especially for you since you’re already familiar with MinistryPlatform!

Sermon Links Example

Adding Sermon Links

Opening the Sermon Record

If the sermon record you want to add links to is not already open, simply:

  1. In the MinistryPlatform Nouns, open the PocketPlatform Folder
  2. Click “Sermons”
  3. Click the Sermon to which you would like to add a Sermon Link

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Opening A Sermon Record
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PocketPlatform

2

Sermons

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A Sermon Record


Creating a New Sermon Link

To create a new Sermon Link once you have opened the Sermon, simply click the button for “Create New Record” on the Sermon Page.

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Creating a new sermon link
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Create New


Sermon Link Details

There are generally two types of Sermon Links, though some PocketPlatform installations, upon request, can include additional types.  By default you should have available to you:

  • Audio – This is the audio-only version of a message.
  • Video – This is a video version of the message

Both of the above media types allow your PocketPlatform app to play back sermons so your congregation – and others! – can enjoy your messages again and again.  Please be aware that you cannot upload audio and video media to MinistryPlatform for playback in your PocketPlatform app, and must use an externally hosted file.  The PocketPlatform Media Manager provides an excellent solution for this, however!

Currently, we support the following media types:

Audio: MP3

Video: MP4, M3U8 playlists, M4V

Required information

The following fields are available when creating a new Sermon Link.  Names in red are required.

  1. Link Type – The Type of Sermon Link.  Generally this will be “Listen” or “Watch”
  2. Link URL – The URL of the Sermon Link. Where does the media pull from?
  3. Podcast Description – This field is deprecated and currently has no effect
  4. Status – “Hidden” “Draft” or “Published”
  5. Use in Audio Podcast – This field is deprecated and currently has no effect
  6. Use in Video Podcast – This field is deprecated and currently has no effect
  7. File Size – The file size of the Sermon Link
  8. File Units – This field currently has no effect
  9. File Duration – The duration of the Sermon Link
  10. Position – The order the sermon series displays in on the app.

Be sure to save your new Sermon Link after you have filled out all fields!

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Creating a new sermon link
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Create New


Additional Information About Media Files

You have many options for hosting your video and audio files for your PocketPlatform app, and sometimes it can be a bit difficult to know what will work well, and what won’t.  Here, we’ve gathered a list of some of your options, and how well they work.

Not Recommended


“Shared” services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, weTransfer and others. 

While all of these types of services will generally allow you to access the raw file, their terms of service explicitly deny you the right to use their service as a media hosting service.  In many cases, especially with Dropbox, they will block your playback after a certain number of plays and may remove your account completely.

YouTube and other “non-pro” video hosting providers, such as Vimeo Free/Plus

While you can use these services to host video, you do not have the ability to access the file directly, and therefore cannot play it outside of their environment, either in a proprietary app or a specific video player.

Recommended


“Professional” video hosting solutions, such as Vimeo Pro or Enterprise

Professional video hosting solutions are designed to give the content creator as much freedom as possible with regards to their media, and therefore allow direct access to the raw audio/video media for playback anywhere and in any player.

CDN/Cloud systems, such as AWS, Azure, Comcast CDN, Rackspace, etc

CDN systems help to ensure that your content will always be available by distributing it around the country – and sometimes the world. Configuration of these systems requires advanced technical skills and maintenance.

PocketPlatform’s Media Manager:

PocketPlatform’s own Media Manager gives you the power of a CDN with the convenience of automatically converting your media into the proper formats for use in both your PocketPlatform Application as well as many other options, like Roku channels or AppleTV apps.

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Adding Sermon Series

Adding New Sermon Series

Adding a Sermon Series

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2019 @ 2:15 pm

Every week, your senior pastor is preaching God’s Word, and now you need to get it into the hands of your congregation.  Fortunately, with PocketPlatform, this couldn’t be easier! Follow the instructions below to add a new sermon series, and then head on over to “Adding a sermon” to add a sermon!

Adding New Sermon Series

Creating a new Sermon Series

Creating a new record

  1. First, open the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns
  2. Next, click “Sermon Series”
  3. Finally, create a new record.

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Sermon Series - Add New
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Open PocketPlatform

2

Select “Sermon Series”

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Create a new record


Required information

The following fields are available when creating a new sermon series.  Names in red are required.

  1. Title – The title of the sermon series
  2. Display Title – If you would like the displayed name to be different than the title.
  3. Subtitle – Additional descriptive text about the sermon series
  4. Status – “Hidden” “Draft” or “Published”
  5. Position – The order the sermon series displays in on the app.

Be sure to save your new sermon series after you have filled out all fields!

Please note that your screen may be slightly different than what is shown here. You may have, for example, a “Series Start Date” field. You may fill these additional fields out as necessary.

Sermon Series Filled out

Adding a Series Image

Once you have saved your new series, you can easily add an image. This image will be used throughout the PocketPlatform application as a visual indicator of this series.

  1. If the Sermon Series you want to add an image to is not already open, open it by opening the PocketPlatform folder in the MinistryPlatform Nouns, selecting “Sermon Series” and clicking the name of the Series you would like to use.
  2. Once the record is open, click the button “Attach a file”
  3. Select an image file from your computer to use for the sermon series using the MinistryPlatform dialog that appears.

PocketPlatform has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of image dimensions, however for best results please use an image with the following dimensions:

  • 1920 x 1080
  • 72 dpi

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Attach a file to a sermon series
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Attach a file


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PocketPlatform Media Manager

PocketPlatform Media Manager

Media Manager Tool Overview

Last Updated: Jul 22, 2019 @ 4:18 pm

PocketPlatform’s Media Manager CoreTool brings you the power and flexibility of a world class Content Delivery Network for hosting and serving your sermons, providing direct links to a compressed, efficient MP4, m3u8 playlist, MP3 audio file, and even a text transcription, all from just uploading a single source video file!

After a newly uploaded sermon video has completed processing, both the audio and video version are automatically assigned to the appropriate sermon, all you have to do is enable the completed attachments and you’re ready to go!

PocketPlatform Media Manager

Opening the Media Manager CoreTool

Starting the transcription process in MinistryPlatform is very simple. First, you need to open the coretool for the sermon for which you are adding media.

  1. Open the Sermon Page View
    • In MinistryPlatform, open the sermons page under PocketPlatform
  2. Select a Sermon
    • Select the sermon record to which you would like to attach a media file. Please Note: You can also enter the sermon series directly.
  3. Open the Media Manager CoreTool
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PocketPlatform Sermons List in MinistryPlatform
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PocketPlatform > Sermons

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Select a Sermon

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Select “Media Manager” from the tools list

Starting the Transcoding Process

Building and managing the proper video and audio files for use online can be daunting and complex. That’s why we took all the guesswork out of the process! By uploading just one video file to the PocketPlatform Media Manager, we will create all the formats you need to properly distribute your media through your PocketPlatform app and other online destinations.  All files are available for you to download after conversion too.

By this point you should have already opened the Media Manager coretool for the sermon that you are managing. If you do not have this window available, please follow the previous steps in Starting The Transcription Process above.

Select your source file

Use the File Selection field to select your video file, and click “Start Job”

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Media Manager CoreTool View | PocketPlatform
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Select a file and upload!


Please Note: The maximum upload size is 10GB, which in most cases is more than enough for a 40-60 minute video file.  Due to the large size of raw video, we do not support uploading raw format video. Please save your video in a compressed playback format before uploading to the Media Manager.

Currently, PocketPlatform supports MP4, MOV and AVI source video files.

See what’s going on

Once you’ve started the Transcoding and Transcribing process, the Media Manager window will continuously update, showing you the status of your current media job.

The status window will update along the way, showing estimated time remaining for each portion of the job

Once your Transcription and Transcoding job has completed – congratulations! You now have all you need to start serving your video and audio through the PocketPlatform app.

This window contains links to download the MP4, MP3, and transcription text, as well as the HLS stream URL and automatically generated thumbnail URL.

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Media Manager - Completed Job | PocketPlatform
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Current Transcription and Transcoding Status

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Download Links

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Streaming Link

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Auto-Generated Thumbnail


Please Note:  It is not necessary to keep this window open during this process. The job will continue even if you close this window. You can return to this window at any time by selecting the sermon and opening the CoreTool.

Enabling Video and Audio files on Sermons

Once the Media Manager job is complete, the coretool automatically adds the video and audio files directly to the sermon page record in MinistryPlatform!  All you need to do at this point is change it’s status from “hidden” to “published”

  1. Open the sermon page record
  2. Open each link in the sermon and set to “Published”
  3. That’s it!

Your sermon media is ready to stream right in the PocketPlatform app!

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