Yes, I got an iPad and am excited to use it for my ministry as an intern at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in central California.
I actually got one of these devices about 3 weeks ago, shortly following the US release. No one really knew I got one until maybe a few days ago. I kept it a secret because I didn’t want the attention or for people to make quick, false judgments about me.
I have to say that I’m pretty impressed with it and it sinks my misconceptions about the device in deep water. I was very skeptical of the iPad ever since it was announced back in January. My immediate reaction is like those of many today: “it’s just a giant iPod touch!” And I continued to hold that perception until its release earlier in April. But then I started to do actual research and looked at apps for the device. I expelled the thought that just because someone was actually looking at the device in a positive way that they were immediately Apple fanboys. I did critical research and tried out a demo unit at my campus bookstore. I heard from my sister about its usage at her work. And I decided I could invest in one.
Before continuing, I have to say that the iPad is nowhere near the “ideal device” that so many people have in their minds, both advocates and proponents (I don’t think you can ever please the tech world: it actually reflects great idolatry). Nor is my iPad a complete replacement for my MacBook. And I am not an Apple evangelist, as much as I enjoy their products: I don’t flaunt my products or weave Apple into every conversation I can get into.
After several weeks with the device, I have seen how it has been helpful (but not necessary) to my ministry, and here are a few ways how:
Filemaker, Inc. has both a desktop app ($49.99) and an iPhone app ($4.99) for Bento already. They also released a handy iPad app of this useful database system. Crusade promotes a clunky PC-only support tracking system called TNTMPD. For all intents and purposes, that software seems to function well and do what it’s supposed to do. People running Macs are out of luck, although they can run Windows on their Macs through Parallels or Fusion to make TNTMPD work. My alternative is to run Bento, which conveniently syncs with my MacBook desktop app and my iPad app. I can keep track of all my ministry partners, their addresses, their support commitment, and keep track of specific tasks completed with each person. I can customize the database fields to fit my needs and track this on the fly with every appointment I go in to.
I created a digital, personalized version of the VACA (Vision And Calling Album) that Crusade prepares for you to present during ministry partner appointments. Running the VACA as a Keynote presentation helps to turn heads and keep the potential ministry partner engaged.
It’s also been helpful for worship leaders. This past weekend at our retreat, one of our female vocalists needed the lyrics for some of the songs. I quickly prepped a Keynote presentation with the lyrics for her to read off of.
VIDEO:
My personal ministry encompasses a lot of media integration, specifically with video. I can show my potential supporters videos I’ve created within EPIC, and, with a future promo video that I’m creating right now, I will soon be able to present a great visual for my supporters of actual testimonies of students from the movement.
This is a very handy app that allows for sketching and drawing on the iPad. It’s still very much an app in the works, but it’s been extremely helpful for note taking. I got a Pogo Sketch stylus that works with capacitive touch devices (including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and laptop track pads) so I can precisely draw and write out notes. I actually used this quite a bit on a recent retreat to take notes and made sketches with (I leave my Moleskine journal at home now). What’s cool is that you can email single pages or entire notebooks out right from the iPad, so those who want your notes can have them to view.
IPOD:
Paired with Penultimate or Pages, I can listen to podcasts and sermons and take notes to prepare for discipleship appointments, all in one place (again, leaving my Moleskine behind).
This is an awesome free Bible app (also available for iPhone and iPod touch) and an added plus is a simple navigation between books and chapters, displayed in Helvetica Neue Light. I can easily scroll through the text, highlight verses and tweet them for encouragements (both through my personal account and EPIC SLO’s account), and look up quick references.
This is just a little bit of how I’ve used the iPad for ministry purposes, but there are many other ways (in fact, using the free WordPress app for iPad, I’ve been typing up this entry using my iPad). I’m stoked for future apps and updates (esp with multitasking coming in OS 4.0 this Fall) to make this device a handy tool for ministry.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the review. You helped our CCCA HQ decide to buy one. My department (Multimedia Communications) will be sharing it with the IT dept. Some great ideas, thanks again
awesome terry! i hope the vision continues to spread!
TNTMPD actually IS available for the Mac now! Really! I work with Steve Steiner, a Cru intern, who has been working with Troy Wolbrink – the creator of TNTMPD – on a true TNTMPD for the Mac solution. As of 2 weeks ago, it’s working and best of all – it’s free! Contact steve.steiner@uscm.org or troy.wolbrink@ccci.org for the link to download the 300+ MB Mac dmg file. It works great!
I am staff with CCC and curious how you were able to use Bento to sync donor gifts with Orlando’s database. Is that something that you have working?
bpatubo,
Are you willing to make your Bento MPD data base available as a template?
Thanks,
Nick
Have you figured out a way to either print mailing labels with Bento for iPad or for exporting the information to print another way? I’d love to get it, but I’m working with an iPad and PC. I’ll need to either use mail merge to print mailing envelopes or do it some other way.