The iPad, along with many other iconic devices from Apple, could be seen as a frivolous purchase. However, I'd like to give a few examples of how the iPad could be a useful tool to save money or time for your church or organization. With the introduction of the iPad 2, Apple has strengthened the first generation iPad's already great feature set and made a product that could provide real usefulness.
It could be a frivolous purchase if all you do is play Angry Birds or that weird vegetable slicing game. It won't replace your laptop (for most people), but its value will continue to increase with time as developers dream up innovative new apps. Check out the five ways we think the iPad 2 might benefit your church, ministry, or organization:
Video
With the iPad 2, Apple has substantially increased processing power, paving the way for power hungry applications, like video editing software. To showcase this new processing power they developed an iPad version of their own consumer video editing app, iMovie. There are other video editing apps for the iPad, notably ReelDirector, but for the moment no other app really comes close to the feature set of iMovie. Obviously, this isn't a professional video editing application, but if your church or organization doesn't currently edit video this would be an inexpensive and simple way to get started.
Organization and Planning
Many blog posts could be written specifically addressing the productivity apps on the iPad, but I want to point out two in particular that can benefit churches specifically, Planning Center Online, and the corresponding app, Planning Center Music Stand. If you're not familiar with the Planning Center website and service check them out here. Essentially, Planning Center is a central hub for church volunteer scheduling and organization. One of the best features of Planning Center is its ability to organize music charts and mp3's for your music department, but with the iPad they've made this service even better with their Music Stand app that let's your team go paperless.
You can even purchase a clever microphone stand adaptor so you can use your iPad as your actual physical (digital) music stand.
Information and Registration
If you've ever been to an Apple retail store, you'll notice that they don't have a central checkout system. If you want to purchase something or get more information about a product you look for someone in an employee t-shirt who's subsequently equipped with an iPhone or iPad ready to collect payment or find more information for you. Why couldn't you do something similar in your church or organization? Instead of spending money and effort on paper sign up forms and expensive kiosks, why couldn't you equip your team with a few iPads loaded with apps to register people for events, collect payments and donations, and find relevant information for anyone who might inquire? Here are a few apps that do just that:
- Square: An app that lets you take payments and donations via credit card right from your iPad and iPhone. It's as simple as that.
- Online Forms: Our own website system has a online form builder that works seamlessly with the iPad, but you could also use Google Forms, Wufoo, or FormSite to create registration forms that work on the iPad.
- iBooks: Not only does this app let you read books, but it also can showcase PDF's and other documents. You could load a map of your facility, latest newsletter, or other pertinent information so it's easily accessible.
Public Speaking
The iPad is a great tool for teaching and preaching. There are many apps that can help in sermon prep like Logos, YouVersion, and Articles for Wikipedia. We also recommend a great app called Prompster that is a perfect app for practicing and delivering your teaching or sermon.
Laptop or Desktop Replacement
When most people ask me whether they can replace their laptop or desktop computer with an iPad my initial response is no. However, I've found that in certain cases (more than I realized at first) the iPad could be an inexpensive and portable alternative to a traditional computer. The ideal candidate would be someone who only uses their current computer for email, light web surfing, and simple document creation. A requirement for anyone who would replace their computer with an iPad would be a wireless keyboard and stand, of which there are many to choose from. An iPad well supplied with apps like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GoodReader, and Evernote could make for a great alternative to a traditional computer for some people.
How are you using the iPad?
I'd love to hear how your church or organization is using your iPad in ways that save money or time. Be specific with any apps or accessories that make the iPad work for you.
Posted on
Fri, March 11, 2011
by Tommy Bailey
filed under