4 Creative Ways to Use an iPad in Your Ministry
Having my iPad now for about a month, I feel like I’m just starting to explore some of its abilities. The popular critique of the iPad has been that it’s a beautiful piece of technology without a problem to solve.
I beg to differ.
I would spin that around and say that we have problems the iPad can solve, we just don’t know it yet. I’m not talking about “cure cancer” or “solve world hunger,” but I think the iPad can make life in ministry a little easier. It truly is an innovative piece of technology that fits a niche I’m not sure exists yet.
- More than an e-reader,
- Different than a notebook,
- More versatile than other tablets,
- It’s in a class of it’s own.
That being said, I started thinking about how you could use an iPad in your ministry setting. Now, none of these reasons will make you race out and plunk down the cash, but if you’ve been thinking about getting an iPad, this may give you some more fuel (or justification).
4. Conference Check-ins
I don’t know about you, but conference check-ins (at least, in the Lutheran world) are a bumblefest. Check-in here; pick up this packet there; stand in the line that coordinates with your pet’s first name. Ugh. What if you had three people standing at each door, armed with iPads, checking people in with a yet-to-be-made app? You check people in at the door, hand them your packet of info right before they enter the conference space, all in one, fluid motion.
3. Whiteboard Apps
What if you could wirelessly connect your iPad to the screens in your worship center? Once connected, you could fire up a Whiteboard app (it could already exist, I don’t know) and scribble away with your finger. Whatever you see on the iPad, you see on the screen. I know more than one pastor who would love to get their hands on something like this. Somebody make it happen!
2. Preaching/Teaching
This one excites me the most. When I preach or teach, I use notes. Lots of them. I like to know where I’m going, where I’ve been and how I’m going to get from Point A to Point Z. It helps me organize my thoughts better and, in turn, deliver a more solid message.
One of my least favorite part about using notes is the whole paper thing. Bumbling around with pages of notes while trying to keep a speaking rhythm together proves difficult. It’s hard to look like you know what you’re doing (or saying) when you’re shuffling pieces of paper around like the Nutty Professor.
Enter: the iPad. I’ve tried this out now a couple of times and I have to say, I’ve found a winner. It’s pretty simple:
It’s really that easy. Here’s a pic from a wedding I did recently:
You can't even see it!
Couple your iPad with a case from InCase and no one even knows you’re using an iPad. (I promised myself I wouldn’t be that guy who flagrantly displays their newest and greatest piece of technology. If people find out I’m using an iPad, I want it to be by accident, not because I’m showboating. Ugh.) No shuffling papers, just a nice easy scroll through my notes. All in one place. Genius.
1. Wait, what’s the number one creative way to use an iPad?
Yours. Yeah, yours. Share with us how you’ve been using your iPad in ministry. It doesn’t even have to be you–What are some of the ways you’ve seen people leverage this technology to make their ministry lives easier?
i started using mine for chord charts/music when leading the band. it's a tad smaller than 8.5×11 paper, but it still works great.
i too didn't want to publicize my gadget on a sunday morning, which could end up being quite a distraction, really. i still keep it on a traditional music stand, so nobody can tell what i've got.
i use goodreader for pdfs. i really love that app.
I forgot to add reason number five: Keeping a digital photo of Chris Kretzu in my sight-line at all times.
There. I feel better admitting that. Goodreader's the bomb.
Good post.
I used my iPad to officiate my cousins wedding 2 weeks ago in Santa Cruz, it was awesome… until it overheated and i had to finish off-script. One word – paper back up.
Honestly though — this snufoo won't deter me from using the iPad as notes for a speaking engagement, as it is an incredibly fluid and smooth device to walk me through my notes. I love it.
As far as apps go — an iPad as a digital photo editor/uploader… we be epic!! It would have to have a USB input plug to attach to a digital camera, so that you could upload pictures from your camera directly onto the iPad… and then edit away!
Hold the iPhone. Your iPad can actual OVERHEAT? How is this possible?
no idea… it was a first for me. must have been outside in the sun for too long. though it wasn't hot outside only 82 degrees.
weirdest thing ever… luckily i only had the ring swap and pronouncement left.
if it had happened in the middle of the homily… I – Would – Have – Been – Dead.
Great post. You should do something like this on churchcrunch.
I might be getting one for my birthday, still haven't decided yet if I need one or should wait for the next gen.
Thanks bro! You guys got it locked down over at the Crunch. It's your world … I just live in it!
Mailchimp has a new iPad app out that might fit the bill for #4 “conference check-ins”:
“Meet Your New Signup Form! Make real-world connections with Chimpadeedoo, a simple signup app for iPad that makes it easy to collect email addresses in physical locations, like at points of sale, trade shows, and checkout locations”.
source: http://www.mailchimp.com/mobile/ipad
This morning I was relishing the fact that I'd gotten over my need/longing/impulse to buy an iPad. Now look what you've done!! You're causing a sister to stumble!!
(Wait…can I use stumble upon on my iPad?)
Recommended your blog to a distance ed friend from North Park last week. (You're welcome.
Kristin
I'm a horrible person – because my mind immediately went to checking baseball scores while preaching without anyone knowing, because they'd think you were looking at notes.
wouldn't it be great if apple actually had the usb camera connector in stock? frick, man.
The preaching/teaching thing was the first thing I thought of when I saw the ipad. And Tony Stewart posted something about a pen/stylus you can use with the ipad–whiteboard integration? And how about controlling your presentation from the ipad while speaking and using the ipad for your notes. Lots of possibilities.
Ooh. I'd love to read that post. Do you have a link?
Ha! That's hilarious (and also a little bit true).
You can't imagine how many people have said something similar to me over the past few days! You should buy one … Do it!
Now THAT seems interesting. I'll need to check that out. Paid or free?
maybe we could use it for
- sheet music or chord charts in worship?…
- or child check in (same concept as the conference one…but every week)
- or set it up on its stand and use it as a slide show for upcoming events at a connection center (even though a TV would prob work better)
- i've heard of someone linking up their on screen soundboard program and being able to run the soundboard from anywhere in the building from their ipad (i think it was some sort of hack)…there's a few more but i want to keep this short
here's another one… use the ipad for check out at your churches cafe, bookstore or resource center (same as they do now at the mac store) i think they bluetooth hookup a credit card machine to it….(there's an app for that)
i might have to steal this idea and make a post out of it “top 10 ways to utilize an ipad in church”
maybe we could use it for
- sheet music or chord charts in worship?…
- or child check in (same concept as the conference one…but every week)
- or set it up on its stand and use it as a slide show for upcoming events at a connection center (even though a TV would prob work better)
- i've heard of someone linking up their on screen soundboard program and being able to run the soundboard from anywhere in the building from their ipad (i think it was some sort of hack)…there's a few more but i want to keep this short
here's another one… use the ipad for check out at your churches cafe, bookstore or resource center (same as they do now at the mac store) i think they bluetooth hookup a credit card machine to it….(there's an app for that)
i might have to steal this idea and make a post out of it “top 10 ways to utilize an ipad in church”