iPad Event Registration

Getting teens hyped about going on an event? Easy.  Getting them to sign up and pay is like trying to get cats to form a 5 person pyramid.  So here's a little tip on easy event registration.  If you use online forms to get students to sign up for events, navigate to the form in Safari on your iPad.  Then bookmark the site straight to your home screen.  Add all your event forms to your home screen and reogranize your apps so your event icons are all together.  The next time a teen says they want to go on an event, BAM, let them fill out their form right on the spot.

Need help making online forms?  I'll blog on that later, but for now try Google Docs!

App Review: Olive Tree BibleReader

I admit it...I've taken the plunge, and so far it's been pretty seamless.  I've converted to using my iPad and iPhone as my primary form of reading Scripture.  I've used the Kindle, and have the Bible within my Kindle App, but although great for straight reading, it is hard to move between passages on the fly.

I know that there are many Bible apps out there, but I've found Olive Tree's BibleReader to be an excellent choice.  Olive Tree's BibleReader is available for Windows Mobile, Palm, Blackberry, iOS, and Android.  Here is a comparison chart for the features built in within their BibleReader software by platform.

Why OliveTree BibleReader? Here is why...

Build Your Own T-Shirt Launcher!

App Review: Evernote

Student ministry is one that requires a lot of various information at various times throughout the day.  Whether it be information from an article that you recently read, a great quote that you need to use, or a list of students that are participating in the next event.  So how do we keep all this information organized and readily available?

Easy Video Recording

It was a glorious game of tug-a-war involving for teams, plastic sheeting, and more baby shampoo than you could shake a tear free stick at. The energy was high, the campers were wet, and the mood was "out for blood". As I was "soaking" in the view and loving the job our Camp Team was doing, one of our Camp Directors, Kelly (great job, btw!), walked up to me and handed me a Flip video recorder and asked if I would shoot some video. For the next 10 minutes I was embedded in the action with my video recorder, getting great video coverage. I felt like Geraldo Rivera, minus the mustache. I even gave away troop location to another team. (yup, I went there.). After 10 minutes, I handed the recorder back and moments later I saw our Director handing it off to someone else.

Facebook Group vs. Facebook pages

It's a question that has haunted all of us from Facebook newbies to FB pros: do I create a Facebook Group or Page? What are the pros and cons? Is there a right choice? Why is it called Facebook?

Let's start with what a Group is. In September of 2004, 8 months after Facebook launched it introduced the Groups feature. In Facebook's words Groups are...

"With Facebook Groups, you can join and create up to 200 groups. Groups can be based around shared interests, activities, or anything you like. The Groups application page displays your recently updated groups as well as groups your friends have joined recently."

The Pages feature didn't come out for another 3 years. Here's how Facebook defines Their Pages feature...

Sync your mobile office easily

I know that there are many options, and a plethora of articles and how-to's regarding this subject, but it's time for a youth pastor's slant.

As a youth pastor, rarely in one spot for very long, it is very important to have access to many files that are called upon throughout each day and week. I know that many carry those files on thumb drives, but not always is a computer around to access them.  Then there is always the issue of "Is this the most recent edition of this file?"

Not only that, but if I sync that file to just one device, I am stuck with just that one device. I migrate between 3 devices on a regular basis: my macbook, iPad, and iPhone (I realize that this is an all Apple lineup, but this issue faces the PC user as well.).  I need access to those files often, and rarely am I in the same location, so what is a guy to do?

iPad-friendly Student Ministry

I readily admit that I am a bit of a geek, and as such I tend to use tech whenever and wherever I can.  One of my favorite weapons in my tech arsenal is my iPad. I've heard from many, well isn't it just a big iPod Touch? Yes in some ways, but mostly no.  It serves a different need in my life, and provides much better function in my ministry.  Here are a some of my regular uses:

Group TXT

If you're not communicating to your teens by TXT, you're not communicating!  But how do you communicate by text to a group without manually punching in their names and numbers on your phone each time?  Great question.  Here's a few ideas for you...

Simply TXT - a cheap, easy way to start TXTing your group from any computer

Tatango - a more expensive option, but it's loaded with features like key words, sub-groups, and reply forwarding.  The best part is you can send group messages right from your phone or any PC.  You can even allow your sponsors to send a group message.  Try the free trial period.  If you like it, ask them for a break in price, they might be willing to work with you!

CCB - this is a solution for tracking all of your students contact information and communicating with them multiple ways like email, print, RSS, website, and TXT.  A cool feature of CCB is all your lists and information is integrated into one easy to manage list.  Students can adjust their own communication preferences.  And if that wasn't enough, CCB uses TWEXT technology so not only does your TXT go to your youth group, it goes to you or your group's Twitter Account.  This is a great option, but it's pricey.

Twitter & Facebook - these social sites can allow users to get mobile updates from your profile.  It's free, but getting teens to adjust that setting may be quite a hassle. 

If you have an iPhone you can also find Group TXT apps in the AppStore.