What is the the Sermon Send Archive Page and How to Use It?

Adding Historical Sermons to Your Archive

Uploading Old Sermons

To build a comprehensive archive that includes sermons from before you started using Sermon Send, you can upload them in Sermon Shots

1. Upload Your Content: When you upload your old sermon content in Sermon Shots, it automatically creates a new sermon page in Sermon Send for your older sermons
2. Review Content: Make sure all the content for your page is accurate
3. Set Dates Based on When the Sermon was delivered: This is crucial for proper chronological ordering

Setting Past Devotional Dates

When uploading old sermons, you can set the devotional date to reflect when the service was actually held:

1. Access Date Settings: While creating or editing a sermon page, look for the "Devotional Date" field
2. Select Historical Date: Choose the actual date when the sermon was delivered (e.g., if uploading a sermon from January 15, 2023, set that as the devotional date)
3. Save Changes: Confirm the date setting before publishing

Automatic Chronological Organization

Once you've set the devotional dates, your Archive Page will automatically organize all sermons in chronological order:

• Most Recent First: The latest sermons (by devotional date) appear at the top
• Historical Integration: Old sermons with past devotional dates will be placed in their correct chronological position
• Dynamic Updates: As you add new sermons or upload more historical content, the archive automatically maintains chronological order
• Easy Navigation: Visitors can scroll through your sermon history in a logical, time-based sequence

This feature is particularly valuable for churches wanting to:

• Digitize years of sermon archives
• Maintain continuity for sermon series that span multiple weeks
• Help congregation members find sermons from specific time periods
• Create a complete historical record of your church's teaching ministry

Sharing Options

Option A: Direct Link Sharing

• Copy the default Sermon Send archive page link
• Share this link directly with your congregation via email, social media, or church bulletins
• This is the quickest way to get started

Option B: Website Integration

For the most professional and branded experience, integrate your Sermon Send archive page directly with your church website. This can be done by creating a custom subdomain.

To set up website integration: Follow our comprehensive guide: How to Create Custom Subdomain on Sermon Send

Next Steps

1. Start Simple: Begin by publishing your archive page with the default link
2. Upload Historical Content: Add your existing sermon library with accurate devotional dates
3. Share Immediately: Start directing your congregation to your archive page
4. Upgrade Later: Consider setting up a custom subdomain for enhanced branding
5. Monitor Engagement: Track how your congregation interacts with your archive content

Best Practices for Your Archive Page

Consistent Thumbnails: Use consistent image styles for sermon thumbnails to create a cohesive look

Clear Titles: Create descriptive, searchable titles for each sermon

Accurate Devotional Dates: When uploading historical content, always set the correct devotional date to maintain chronological accuracy

Organized Series: Group related sermons into series to help visitors find connected content

Strategic Placement: Add a link to your archive page on your church website, such as "Weekly Devotionals" or "Past Messages"

Historical Content Planning: When digitizing old sermons, upload them in batches and verify dates for accurate timeline placement

FAQ About the Archive Page

Q: Will all my Sermon Send pages automatically appear in the Archive? A: Yes, any published Sermon Send page will automatically be included in your Archive Page and organized by devotional date.

Q: Can I exclude certain sermons from appearing in the Archive? A: Yes, you can choose to hide specific sermon pages from your Archive by unpublishing them.

Q: How does the chronological ordering work with historical sermons? A: The Archive Page uses the devotional date you set for each sermon to determine its position in the timeline. Historical sermons with past dates will appear in their correct chronological position, not at the bottom of the list.

Q: Can I change the devotional date after uploading a sermon? A: Yes, you can edit the devotional date at any time, and the Archive Page will automatically reorganize to reflect the new chronological order.

Q: How can my congregation search for specific topics? A: Visitors can search by title, tags, or keywords you've added to your sermons, regardless of when they were originally delivered.

Q: Is the Archive Page mobile-friendly? A: Yes! The Archive Page is fully responsive and works well on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

Q: Do I need technical knowledge to set up a custom subdomain? A: While basic DNS knowledge is helpful, our step-by-step guide walks you through each step. Many churches have their website administrator handle this setup.

Q: Can I still use the default link if I set up a custom subdomain? A: Yes, both links will work. The custom subdomain provides a more professional appearance for your congregation.

Q: How far back can I upload historical sermons? A: There's no limit to how far back you can set devotional dates, allowing you to create a complete digital archive of your church's sermon history.

Need Help?

If you need assistance with publishing, sharing your Sermon Send Archive Page, or uploading historical content, our support team is here to help:

Email: contact@sermonshots.com
Video Tutorials: Check our video tutorials on our YouTube channel
Knowledge Base: Browse more Knowledge Base articles for tips and guidance

The Archive Page is a powerful tool to extend the life and reach of your sermon content. By organizing your messages in an accessible, chronologically-ordered library with both current and historical content, you're making it easier for your congregation to engage with your complete teaching ministry throughout the week and beyond.