Your Message Remains Yours
LivingSermons requests authorization to faithfully transcribe, professionally refine, publish, and preserve Christian messages as digital books.
We believe the preacher’s message belongs to the preacher or the ministry responsible for it. Our role is not to take ownership of the original message, but to help preserve it in written form for readers today and generations to come.
We request authorization to preserve the message. We do not claim ownership of the message.
Why We Request Permission
A sermon may be publicly available as a video or audio recording, but converting that message into a written and published digital book is a separate publishing activity.
For this reason, LivingSermons seeks authorization from the preacher, ministry, church, or other appropriate rights holder before publishing a message as a LivingSermons digital book.
This process helps us:
- Respect the preacher and ministry
- Confirm that the message may be published
- Understand any publishing restrictions
- Establish a clear record of authorization
- Build long-term trust with ministries
- Protect the integrity of the LivingSermons archive
Our goal is simple:
To preserve Christian messages with permission, accuracy, and respect.
What Authorization Allows LivingSermons to Do
Depending on the authorization provided, LivingSermons may be permitted to:
1. Transcribe the Message
Convert an authorized audio or video sermon into written form.
The transcription is prepared from the original spoken message.
2. Professionally Refine the Manuscript
Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, paragraph structure, obvious transcription errors, and other issues necessary to make the manuscript suitable for reading.
This is done according to the LivingSermons Publishing Standards.
3. Prepare a Digital Book
Format the approved manuscript as a professionally prepared digital book.
The publication may include a title page, preacher information, Scripture references, appropriate headings, publication information, and other elements required for a clean reading experience.
4. Publish the Digital Book
Publish the authorized work through LivingSermons and identify the preacher and ministry appropriately.
5. Preserve the Work in the Archive
Include the authorized digital book in the LivingSermons archive so the message can remain organized and accessible for future generations.
6. Provide Reading or Download Access
Where permitted by the applicable authorization or publishing arrangement, LivingSermons may make the digital book available for readers to access or download.
What Remains With the Preacher or Ministry
Authorization to LivingSermons does not automatically transfer ownership of the original sermon to LivingSermons.
The preacher or appropriate ministry retains their rights and interests in the original message, subject to any specific agreement or authorization provided.
LivingSermons does not claim to be the original author of an authorized sermon.
Our contribution is the work of:
Transcription → Editorial Refinement → Digital Book Production → Publication → Preservation
The original message remains attributed to the preacher or ministry.
Ownership of the Original Message
LivingSermons recognizes the distinction between the original message and the publishing work performed by LivingSermons.
The sermon belongs to its rightful owner.
LivingSermons’ role is to transform the authorized spoken message into a professionally prepared written resource and preserve that resource within its publishing archive.
Nothing on this page should be understood as a transfer of ownership unless a separate written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
Transcription Authorization
Authorization allows LivingSermons to convert an approved recording into written form.
This may include:
- Sermons
- Teachings
- Conference messages
- Seminars
- Bible studies
- Exhortations
- Other Christian messages approved for publication
The transcription should remain faithful to the original recording.
LivingSermons does not intentionally add teachings, personal opinions, illustrations, conclusions, or statements that were not part of the original message.
Editorial Refinement Authorization
Spoken language often requires refinement before it can function well as a written book.
Authorization therefore allows LivingSermons to apply reasonable editorial corrections necessary for professional presentation.
This may include:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Sentence structure
- Paragraph structure
- Speech-related repetition
- Obvious transcription errors
- Formatting
- Headings and organization
The purpose is to improve readability without changing the intended message.
We refine the presentation without changing the message.
Digital Publication Authorization
Authorization may allow LivingSermons to publish the completed digital book through its website and associated LivingSermons publishing channels.
The publication will identify the preacher and ministry appropriately.
Where applicable, the publication may include a link to the original sermon recording or the ministry’s official website or channel.
Archival Authorization
LivingSermons is building a long-term digital archive of Christian messages.
Archival authorization allows an approved publication to become part of that archive.
The purpose of preservation is to ensure that valuable Christian messages can remain discoverable and available beyond the lifespan of an individual recording, website, social media post, or platform.
A recording may be watched today.
A preserved digital book can continue serving readers tomorrow.
Distribution and Download Access
LivingSermons may provide access to an authorized digital book through its website.
Depending on the applicable authorization or publishing arrangement, this may include:
- Online reading
- Digital download
- Sharing of the LivingSermons publication page
- Access through the LivingSermons archive
- Other non-exclusive digital access methods
LivingSermons will not intentionally represent an authorized sermon as an original LivingSermons message.
The preacher and ministry remain properly identified as the source of the original message.
Your Ministry’s Preferences Matter
Every ministry has its own requirements.
A preacher or ministry may have specific preferences concerning:
- Which messages may be published
- Which messages may not be published
- Publication dates
- Attribution
- Links to official ministry platforms
- Download access
- Distribution
- Corrections
- Removal requests
- Other publishing conditions
LivingSermons welcomes these instructions.
Where restrictions are provided as part of the authorization, they should be documented and followed according to the applicable arrangement.
Correction Requests
We understand that a published digital book may occasionally contain an error.
A preacher or authorized ministry representative may contact LivingSermons regarding:
- Transcription errors
- Incorrect names
- Incorrect Scripture references
- Missing content
- Attribution issues
- Formatting problems
- Other legitimate publication concerns
LivingSermons will review the matter and, where appropriate, correct the publication.
Our objective is to maintain an accurate and trustworthy archive.
Removal Requests
If a preacher or authorized ministry representative has a legitimate reason to request the removal or restriction of an authorized publication, LivingSermons may review the request.
Each request will be considered in light of:
- The original authorization
- Any stated publishing restrictions
- The identity and authority of the person making the request
- The nature of the concern
- Any applicable publishing arrangement
Where appropriate, LivingSermons may remove, restrict, update, or otherwise modify access to the affected publication.
How Ministries Can Authorize LivingSermons
There are several ways a preacher, church, or ministry may authorize LivingSermons to work with its messages.
Direct Authorization
A preacher or authorized ministry representative may communicate approval directly to LivingSermons.
Partnership Authorization
A ministry may become a LivingSermons partner and establish an ongoing arrangement for the transcription, publication, and preservation of its messages.
Written Authorization
A ministry may provide formal written authorization covering specific messages or a defined collection of messages.
LivingSermons Authorization Form
LivingSermons may provide a publishing authorization form where additional documentation is appropriate.
Our team keeps an internal record of publishing authorization and any relevant restrictions communicated by the ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LivingSermons own my sermon?
No. LivingSermons does not claim ownership of the preacher’s original message merely because it transcribes or publishes the message.
The original message remains with its rightful owner, subject to any specific agreement.
Why do you need permission if my sermon is already on YouTube?
Because public availability of a recording does not necessarily mean that another organization has authorization to reproduce, transform, and publish that content as a digital book.
LivingSermons therefore seeks appropriate authorization before publishing.
Can I decide which sermons you publish?
Yes.
A preacher or ministry may specify which messages LivingSermons is authorized to publish and may communicate restrictions or preferences.
Will you change my message?
Our editorial process is designed to improve the written presentation without changing the intended message.
We correct language and transcription issues while preserving the preacher’s voice, meaning, emphasis, and intent.
Can my ministry request corrections?
Yes.
Preachers and authorized ministry representatives can contact LivingSermons regarding legitimate corrections or publication concerns.
Can my ministry request removal?
A preacher or authorized ministry representative may submit a removal or restriction request for review.
LivingSermons will consider the request according to the applicable authorization and publishing arrangement.
Can LivingSermons use my sermon in other ways?
LivingSermons’ authorization should define the activities permitted.
If a proposed use falls outside the authorization provided, LivingSermons should seek additional authorization where appropriate.
Can we become an ongoing LivingSermons partner?
Yes.
Churches, ministries, preachers, and Christian organizations can establish an ongoing relationship with LivingSermons for the preservation of their messages.
Our Commitment to Ministries
LivingSermons believes that trust is more important than simply publishing another digital book.
We therefore commit to:
Respect
We respect the preacher, ministry, and original message.
Faithfulness
We faithfully preserve the substance, meaning, and voice of the authorized message.
Transparency
We seek clear authorization and maintain appropriate records of publishing arrangements.
Professionalism
We handle the transcription, refinement, formatting, publication, and preservation process with care.
Preservation
We work to ensure that authorized messages remain organized and accessible as part of a lasting digital archive.
Your Message Remains Yours
LivingSermons exists to serve the preservation of Christian messages.
We seek authorization because your message matters.
We transcribe it faithfully.
We refine it professionally.
We publish it responsibly.
We preserve it for generations.
Your message remains yours. We request authorization to faithfully preserve and publish it.
Ready to authorize your messages?
Questions about publishing or permissions?