Scott Savage and I have been doing ministry together at NPHX for well over six years now and my life has been significantly impacted due to his influence. As gifted teacher, pastor, and writer God is doing incredible things in and through him. Like me, Scott is also a “productivity nut,” always searching for more effective ways to do ministry. So I asked him to put together his top apps he uses to prepare his sermons. -Robert
Apps I use when prepping sermon: A guest post by Scott Savage
As I was heading to lunch with some co-workers on a Monday, I got an email from my pastor. He asked me if I would preach for him in approximately 4 weeks. I switched from my Mail app to my Calendar app on my iPhone, made sure I wasn’t already committed elsewhere, and replied “Yes”. It was on!
Over the next four weeks, my preparation happened in my office, living room, coffee shops, and my car, among other settings. I entered content into and engaged study materials on my 3 Apple devices – iPad (4th gen), iPhone 4S and a 2009 edition 13inch MacBook Pro.
On these devices, as I prepared, I used the following apps.
–Bible by YouVersion. I used YouVersion to initially review the passage I was given for my message. I later used it to compare translations. I also regularly use the Live feature to share my notes with people, so they can follow along in their app.
–Logos Bible Software. Logos is the industry standard for in-depth Bible study software. I can access it on all my devices. I accessed commentaries, did original language work and word studies.
–Evernote. I use Evernote as my digital brain everyday. For a sermon, I build a note or theme that can help me keep all my content ideas contained in one place, accessible from anywhere. I sent and retrieved illustration ideas, links, and other references to and from Evernote.
–PenUltimate. I use my NewTrent stylus with PenUltimate on my iPad to get ideas out in rapid fire succession or while using Logos on my MBP. PenUltimate syncs with Evernote. I made handwritten notes, brainstormed, and drew out my slide order here.
–Dragon Dictation – I wrote two major sections of the message while driving by dictating into my iPhone. I then emailed those to Evernote.
–WriteRoom. WR is a distraction free software for writers who get easily distracted like me. At one point, I used WriteRoom to focus on a night when I was really struggling with distractions.
–TextEdit. This is a simple word-processing software (standard in OSX) that helps me get structure and formatting prepped for handouts and slides. Ultimately, my final draft ended up in this app, as did my mockup for a handout and slide deck guide for my designer.
–Keynote – My designer uses Keynote to build my deck. We used Keynote to display my slides the day of the message.
–Stock Xchange – My designer uses several subscription bases sites. On a regular basis, I design my own slide decks. For those, I use SXC because it’s free! When he designs for me, I will send him links to ideas in SXC.
–Google Calendar – The week before I give the talk, I schedule time for a run through with focus group. I strive to get a good amount of feedback before I give a talk. We scheduled the event and I manage that through Google Calendar.
–Notability – When presenting the message, I use my iPad. From TextEdit, I export it as PDF file, so I can make comments on it after focus group and for actual presentation. I can add handwritten cues at the last minute via Notability.
–Planning Center Online – Our church uses this app religiously to coordinate efforts and communicate the plan. Since I had some special cues, those were added into PCO, along with coordinating an outside group leading worship in our service that weekend.
–Kindle – The vast majority of the books I read are done via the Kindle app. I can export highlights from relevant books into email or Evernote. This feature is very helpful. (Note: I did not use this feature in this sermon, but felt like it was worth sharing).
–Spotify – I build playlists for inspiring writing. I wrote my message to music from artists like Lights & Motion, Hillsong Young & Free, Sara Barrielles, and Jesus Culture.
–Vimeo – My church posts sermon video via this site and I go back for review later. I watched the whole sermon after the fact on my iPad via this app. I did well, but felt that I had too much content. Given another chance, I would edit more and focus, especially in the latter 1/3 of the message.
Ironically, after using all these tools, devices and apps, I got stuck the week before the message, I went analog, getting out a couple Sharpie markers and a giant Post-It note pad. I drew out a flow chart of my ideas, clarifying the talk’s flow. It took about two hours, but I found a groove. I went back In TextEdit to type out this flow, restructure and smooth out the message.
I’m always tweaking my process and am pretty neurotic in my preparation. I practice a message 3-5 times before I give it. At least one of these takes place before a live focus group. At least one takes place in the venue I will be speaking in.
I’d love to know your experience with any of these apps, others I should be aware of or your thoughts on preparing a presentation for a large audience.
Thanks Rob for the chance to share about my process and the apps I use!
(If you’re interested, you can watch the message I mentioned above here.)
READ MORE: Top music productivity apps
