Thursday, October 13, 2011

Yeah, baby!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

My 10 Best Smartphone Apps for Ministry

Regardless of your platform, there are some great apps for ministry on your smartphone.  I'm on Android, but many of these apps are on many platforms, so go look for them in your apps' store, market, marketplace, catalog, or world.  (These are in no particular order.)


  1. BIBLE by youversion.com (Lifechurch.tv)
 What has the world come to that I have 15 Bibles on a shelf behind me, and I rarely open one?  No, I'm not boycotting the Word of God.  This app is just amazing.  Available on every smartphone platform, this app has almost every version of the Bible you can think of.  You can search for keywords or verses, bookmark, highlight, write notes, and share to social media.  It also has reading plans to help you read through your Bible or read for devotions.  Go get it.  It's the single reason I allow some of our youth to keep their phones during lessons.

Tip: If you have a phone with an Amoled or Super Amoled screen: Set to "Low Light" for white letters on a black background.  Because of the technology of Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode screens, it will save you battery life, and looks great.  (Eg. Samsung Galaxy S, SII, Nexus One, Nexus S, etc.)

     
     2.  EVERNOTE

In ministry, you sometimes have to take notes.  Evernote is a cloud-based notes app available on most platforms that allows you to take notes, upload pictures, and get to them from phone, tablet, or computer.  It's great for thinking through sermon ideas, taking notes at board meetings, or keeping track of anything.  It's simple to use and works great.

     3.  DOCUMENTS TO GO (or other document editor)

Sometimes you need to edit documents on the go and this app is great for it.  Kind of pricey for an Android app, but a document editor is required to outline a sermon, write your newsletter article, or put together a devotion while mobile.  I've used Polaris, Quickoffice, and Docs to Go; and the latter is the most full featured, in my opinion.  (At least for Android.)  At camp, this app became a life saver, as I planned, wrote, and preached from my phone for every Chapel time.
      
      4.  AMAZON KINDLE

See my previous post on the use of the actual Amazon Kindle.  The app certainly comes in handy on your smartphone as well.  You can't take your Kindle everyone, but every technoholic has their phone at all times.  It definitely came in handy for me when I needed some extra commentary during Sunday School.  I went to the Amazon store through the app, found a helpful book, bought it, and used it to inform our discussion; all while sitting in the classroom.  

Tip: Amoled users: repeat tip from BIBLE.

      5.  DROPBOX

Do you have documents that you need to get to from multiple places?  How about pictures?  Sign up for Dropbox and get 2GB of free cloud storage.  Then, get the app and you can share anything you might need between computers and your smartphone.  I keep worship song tabs, sermon outlines, and worship planning sheets all in Dropbox so I can get to them from anywhere.  It's also a great way to share files with others.

See also: Box.net

       6.  BUSINESS CALENDAR (or other calendar app)

Four and a half years ago I got my first smartphone because I needed a calendar to organize my daily life.  It still remains one of the most important functions of my phone.  On Android, Business Calendar gives more functionality, better widgets, and better UI to the phone than the regular Calendar app.  Mine keeps me organized with my appointments, meetings, and plans.  It also allows my wife and I to share calendars so we know what each other is doing.  One of the best features of this particular app is the ability to see the text of appointments on the month setting of calendar.  Many only show dots to represent them.  Go get it.

        7.  FACEBOOK

I know, how dare I mention Facebook here.  Well, I have found Facebook to be one of the best ways to communicate with people and this app lets me do it on the go.  I can update my status, write messages to people, and even control our church's and youth group's pages.  If you're not using Facebook for ministry by now, you might as well be preaching from scrolls.  

        8.  GOOGLE MAPS (navigation)

As a self proclaimed horrible navigator, I need me some GPS.  Sadly, even in our Pleasant Mountains, I often need someone to tell me how to get to people's houses.  On Android, Google Maps Navigation is phenomenal, but you can use whatever your platform has available.  I use it to go visit someone for the first time, get us where we're going on youth trips, and know how long it takes to get to a conference.  

        9.  TABS by ultimateguitar.com

As a worship leader, free song tabs are not difficult to come by, but a good mobile app to find them is.  This app for Android is great for finding songs with written chords or tabs, so I can learn and teach our praise team.  You may have the ability to hear it and play it (Jamie), but some of us just aren't that gifted.  This app will get you out of a bind.

       10.  LOGMEIN IGNITION

This is an expensive app, but a worthwhile.  Logmein.com is a great place to connect all of your computers for remote usage.  And it's free on your PC.  But if you want access to your computer via your smartphone, this app works great.  I use it to work from home or on the road when I need access to specific data or files on my computer.  It's nice to be able to tell my secretary the file is sitting in the printer while watching the kids, or heading to a meeting.

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These are obviously not the only apps that are good for ministry, but they're some of my favorites.  I skipped the obvious PHONE app, EMAIL, and CONTACTS; cause I feel that's a given.  Hope this helps if you're new the smartphone game.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Death of Steve Jobs

Anyone who loves technology knows about Steve Jobs.  He's the legendary former CEO and cofounder of Apple.  His vision has led Apple to do amazing products like the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac computers.  Today he died after battling pancreatic cancer for years. 

I've always thought of Jobs as the puppetmaster behind Apple.  That's a definite non-Apple user's perspective, but not a judgment of his character at all.  I don't know much about him as a person, but he was clearly a genius with great vision. 

But death is always an opportunity to think of life, purpose, and eternity.  My prayer is that Steve Jobs is a follower of Jesus and is with Him today in paradise.  And though there are people all over the world who will feel the loss of such a well known and influential man, I especially think of his family.  Pray for them.  Because in these difficult times, God is ready and willing to come alongside us.  

Jobs changed the world with his genius and the tech nerd in me is grateful.  But our true purpose goes beyond building a business, working hard, or being good.  Take this opportunity to change the world for THE Cause of Christ so that death can be just a gateway to eternity for all those we can influence.  

Amazon Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire looks great if you're looking for a tablet/E-reader on the cheap. Nice dual core processor, great IPS display, and tons of Amazon content. But only 7" - unlike the Galaxy Tab 10.1/Touchpad/iPad - no cameras, and not running Google apps. It's Android underneath, but runs Amazon's own UI, Appstore, etc. No Gmail, Android Market, or Google Maps Navigation. But for $199, a worthy device. Very cool, but I'll keep my Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Theology of Technology

Let’s face it, I’m a nerd. I love technology and am always interested in the next new gadget that will make my life easier. (… or more complicated.) I have a smartphone that organizes my life; communicate through email, texting, Twitter, and Facebook; preach from my Kindle E-Reader; usually have multiple screens at work on my desk; and even listen to podcasts about the latest tech news. (Many of you have no idea what I just said in that sentence.) I’m a nerd, and I’m okay with it. But I’ve learned recently that sometimes our technology can be an illustration of our life as believers too.
I think as disciples of Christ we fall into two main categories and today’s technology can help explain them.
1. The iPad Christian:
All the rage in the last year of technology has been tablet computers. Last year Apple introduced the iPad; a large slate touchscreen that runs like an iPhone but bigger. And it’s sold in the millions. It’s simple, beautiful, and works great for playing games, running apps, and surfing the internet. There is no keyboard, CD-rom, or USB port; just a glass front and your finger. People love the iPad and other companies are rushing to bring a real competitor to market. The problem with a tablet is that it isn’t really for getting anything done, it’s for consuming content. You can read books, look online, and do all sorts of fun stuff, but creating content is difficult. Most people use it as an additional device to their regular computer.
Like the iPad, the iPad Christian is one who is in church on Sunday, loves God, and is growing in their relationship with Christ; but leaves it at that. He might listen and internalize the sermon on Sunday, read his Bible, and spend time in prayer; but the message never moves beyond his brain to his actions. The iPad Christian is a consumer of God’s love without being a worker for the kingdom.
2. The Laptop Christian:
Unlike the iPad, a laptop is a powerful, yet mobile device that can not only consume content, but is adept at creating it as well. You can use a laptop to write papers, create videos, organize finances, write newsletters, and edit photos; all while still being able to surf the web and play games.
And the laptop Christian is not only a consumer of the Spirit, but is willing to work, serve, and put into practice the teachings of Christ to influence the world for Him.
So which one are you? Are you simply a consumer of God’s Word or are you willing to create opportunities to bring that Word to others through service and personal witness. I find it easy to be a consumer; it’s hard to be a servant. It's easy being a believer; hard to be a disciple.  You may not love technology, like me, but my hope is that you love God and are seeking to serve Him each and every day.

Apple Announcement

Today Apple had their iPhone event and annaounced the new iPhone 4S.  Here's my take.  Fail.  I'll admit I don't like Apple much.  I don't like their business style, products, or closed ecosystem.  But I'll admit when they make a good product.  Last year, I paid attention to the iPhone 4 announcment and was definitely impressed by the phone.  But eighteen months later, they needed a redesign to hit a homerun.  The screen is small, the glass breaks, and a spec bump isn't enough to take on the onslought of Android.

The iPhone 4S is simply the same phone with a dual core processor and better camera.  Don't get me wrong, those are good specs, but not enough reason to upgrade from the 4 or to switch from really good Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy SII.  Apple fans will buy it anyway, as they do everything; but I think this is hugely underwhelming for many.

What do you think?  Excited about the 4S or disappointed?

The Best Tech for Ministry

Many churches use technology in their ministry and worship so I'm not going into detail on things like Powerpoint, projectors, or anything like that.  But let me tell you the best piece of tech I use in ministry.  (Other than the computer, of course.)

My Amazon Kindle.  This last week had big Kindle news and I may review that in a later post, but the Kindle may be the little known ministry tool that you need to get.

Yes, the Kindle is a great E-reader and certainly, I buy all of my books for my Kindle; whether I'm studying for a sermon, educating myself on theology, or reading for fun.  But my Kindle has revolutionized my ministry of preaching, teaching, and officiating funerals and weddings.  Let me explain.

The Kindle can do much more than just download and read books from Amazon.  It actually is able to display many different file types, and you can transfer files to it in a couple of ways.  Let me break down how I use mine.


  • First, I preach from my Kindle weekly.  Before this piece of tech, I used a Bible with wide margins and a few notes to preach from each service.  I'm not one to write a manuscript, and don't actually even use my notes that much; but a simple outline keeps me from rambling.  So one day I decided to try out my Kindle for preaching.  I began by typing my notes in Microsoft Word - though you could use any good word processor - and including the Scriptures directly in the outline.  I use youversion.com or biblegateway.com to cut and paste Scripture to my document.  I make the outline in 24pt. Calibri font.  This is easy for me to read when displayed on the Kindle.  Then I save the document as a pdf file; one of the many file types the Kindle will read.  (Note: Kindle will read a regular .doc file too, but you lose any formatting such as indents or other outline elements.)  Preaching from the Kindle is great.  I have the notes I need, as well as Scripture we will use.  I keep my Kindle in a leather case from Amazon that makes it look like a black book or Bible that I'm holding.  And, I have organized sermons both on my computer and my Kindle if I ever need them.
  • Funerals and weddings are the best uses for my Kindle.  In these services, I have much more mapped out plans for the service and my sermon, so having the whole service in my Kindle is great.  Putting it together is just like for the sermon.  But I find it more useful because I need my written words more than when I preach.  For a graveside service, it's especially useful because wind can't blow the pages of a Kindle.  You won't be fighting to keep your pages in line no matter the weather.
  • To transfer to your Kindle, you can either connect it via USB and use it as a mass storage device, or send it by email.  Amazon gives you a Kindle email address when you buy one, and you can send docs to it with email as long as you're on wifi.  Your email address is ______@free.kindle.com.  It works great to get your content wirelessly to your Kindle. 
Pastors, this really has revolutionized my preaching and services.  Now, it's better and cheaper than ever to buy a Kindle and use it for your ministry.  One caveat: keep your Kindle charged up.  The battery lasts weeks, so it's not a major worry; but make sure it's charged when you need it or you could really be in trouble.

Note: I don't work for Amazon, just love good technology.