The new iPhone is coming and instead of speculating on all the rumors floating around the web about what will make this iPhone better than previous models, I thought it would be fun to list some unlikely features that I wish the iPhone 5 would have. And of course, when Tuesday arrives and the announcements are made, I have no doubt that I will be convinced that the new device will be a necessary addition to my iOS collection.
Google Voice is an incredible, free tool that Google has created. One of my favorite features that is built into Google Voice is text messaging; once you have a google voice number set up you can use it for text messaging. We have utilized this in our youth ministry as a great tool for sending out mass text messages. Google Voice does not have mass texting as a built in feature, but there are some work arounds that can let you capitalize on this possibility. As we’ve been using Google Voice, I’ve had a few ideas of ways that we can make use of this technology for our student ministry.
It’s been over a month since I launched Clips on the App Store and I thought I would reflect on the first month on the app store and share a little bit about how things have gone and where I see things going over the next few months.
When I launched the app, there was an incredible response in the youth worker community. I was blown away by the number of people willing to help get the word out about the app. In the inital days of the launch, the app peaked at number 11 in the Top Reference apps. Being in youth ministry it was incredibly awesome to have a lot of “important” names in the youth ministry world recommending the resource I made.
“As much as I’d like for people to continue to buy my books (Videos that Teach), I think RJ’s app will be more helpful (and cheaper at only $2.99).” – from Doug Fields’ post about the app launch
Anybody interested in technology is not surprised by the fact that technology is in a constant flux; as soon as you buy a new device, whether it’s a computer, phone, or iPod, it is immediately old technology. It’s crazy to think that the home computers we had ten years ago cannot touch the hardware or software capabilities of our mobile phones today.
Here’s an interesting infographic about the progression of the computer.
Click the image to see the full size infographic.
It’s fairly common for people to have all sorts of ideas of great apps that they wish were available on the app store. The best ideas for apps come from having a simple idea that you would like on your device. It doesn’t come from an idea that you think would make you rich, but something that you’d like to use.
Unfortunately an idea is not going to get you very far; nobody is going just do the work for free while you get the benefits of the revenue. For many that means your app ideas never become anything more than an idea. For others that are willing to put in a little work (and have a bit of engineering mind to put to use), they can turn an idea into an app.
When we use technology in our ministries, there are two reactions we might aim for – awe or wow. When we aim for a wow reaction, we are looking to utilize technology so that people are impressed by our creative, technological abilities. We want people to find the lights and sounds at our services and events entertaining. But when we aim for a reaction of awe, we are utilizing the same technology to bring people to a place where they are admiring the work of Christ.
I had the chance to recently write about this idea in an article titled “The Struggle with Attractionalism” in Immerse Journal. Here’s a brief snippet:
HT: Thanks to Paul Arndt for giving me the idea of “Wow vs. Awe” to describe my article.The attractional model is primarily about entertain- ment. It’s felt in the pressure to constantly be more creative, more innovative, so students keep coming back. We struggle with the attractional model when we imagine students filling our youth rooms and being amazed by the lights and sounds.
Since Steve Jobs announced his resignation from Apple as CEO, I thought I’d share one of my all-time favorite Steve Jobs quotes. I also think in the youth ministry world, we shamelessly live out this same mantra… if somebody else has a good idea, take it and make it your own.
On Thursday, we leave for our summer retreat to Lake Ann Camp. The theme for the week is “Glow” and this video blows my mind by showing what’s possible with glow sticks.
Clips has made it’s arrival and has been well received in it’s first days in the App Store. I am extremely excited about the potential of this application and where we are going to be able to take it in the upcoming months. One of the most exciting ideas for me as I’ve released this app is for the potential of youth pastors buying the app for their volunteers and parents of students.
Here’s what some people are saying about the app:
“I know RJ made this for youth workers, but it’s one of those things that could be useful for all sorts of people in ministry. Volunteer youth workers, student leaders, and even parents. As a parent, I’m always looking for ways to have a Bible-based conversation about something my kids are watching. This is really helpful.” – Doug Fields
“Occasionally, we are introduced to an iPhone app that we think is really great. Clips for iPhone is one of those apps.” – Orange
“It’s a resource you’ll want to make sure is in the hands of your small group leaders and parents, too. Help them turn movie time into worthwhile discussion. Tip: Use the iTunes “gift this” button and you can send it to the youth workers in your ministry. If you need a raise… gift it to your senior pastor.” – Adam McLane
To celebrate the launch of Clips, I want to offer an incredible opportunity for you to share Clips with a parent or volunteer in your ministry. Your ministry cannot function without a team of volunteers, so give them resources to help them lead. Your youth ministry will fall apart if it’s not partnering with parents; help equip parents to teach the scriptures. To help get this app in the hands of volunteers and parents we are giving away 20 copies.
How to Get Your Free Copy of Clips
1. Buy a copy of Clips on iTunes
2. Forward a copy of your receipt (or screenshot) to info@grunewalddev.com
3. Receive a free promo code to share
Today has been one that I have been looking forward to for several months. Clips started for a simple reason; I wanted it on my iPhone. I truly believe that there is a huge world of possibilities on the App Store for ministry resources, which in many cases will become more valuable because of their mobile format. Over the past several years in youth ministry, I have used countless scenes from movies to illustrate ideas during a lesson. I have also bought Videos that Teach to hand out routinely to small group leaders to lead discussions based on scenes from movies. There’s something about taking a popular movie scene and watching it in the light of scripture that really connects with students.
Download Clips today on the App Store.
This is exactly why Clips has been developed. I want it. I want my volunteers to use it. I’d even love to see parents of our students using it. Here’s a snippet of the app description from iTunes:
“Clips is all about helping people engage with the Bible by using scenes from great films. Pastors, small group leaders, and youth ministers can all benefit with the tools provided. Clips tells you exactly what scenes to use, what topics to teach, the verses you could use, and even some possible discussion questions. It gives you everything you need to easily find the scene you are teaching from, even linking to it in iTunes.”
One of the benefits of me releasing this app is that I’m free to grow it as I see fit. If you want new features, I can add new features. In fact, I already have 1.0.1 uploaded and waiting for review to fix some minor bugs and improve the international support for iTunes links. I have a lot of ideas and have been getting incredible suggestions from some of the early users.
I am very excited about what’s in store for the future of Clips. We’ll be quickly working on getting an update to add even more movies and add the requested “Suggest a Clip” feature. And I have a few other ideas up my sleeve too, but you’ll just have to wait and see what those are.
