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Current Technology Maximized

Consider these new technologies that can help your ministry become more efficient.

Some say that, in the end, those with the most toys win. We know better. But there are some new technologies available that can help your ministry become more efficient. When translated into ministry terms, that may mean more souls in the Kingdom.

PDAs

Personal Digital Assistants are great tools. Storing addresses and contact lists, appointments, and task lists, PDAs come with ministry facilitation written all over them. But enhancing them with some inexpensive software makes them even more helpful.

Adding, for instance, Bible software means you will always have the Word with you when you need it. Available from www.laridian.com, you can get the complete Bible in your favorite version with built-in tools like a searchable concordance, bookmarks, and more.

Intranet

Nearly all ministries are challenged with internal communication. Intranets are internal-only Web sites you can use to get important information to your team, keeping them informed of issues, schedules, and more. This can also be a repository for your forms and manuals, making them easily available to anyone on your staff who needs them.

Digital Cameras

Digital cameras have come down in price significantly. For those adding pictures to their

database, worship experience, and/or Web site, these are a must have. Some PDAs, like

Sony’s CLIé™ NX70V (www.sonystyle.com/micros/clie) even have built-in digital cameras.

Cellular Phones

Cell phones are being built into PDAs. We are at the beginning of this transition wave where our cell phones and PDAs will be combined into one device. The two greatest advantages:

1. One less device to carry.
2. A complete PDA address book/contact list with a dial button.

Worthwhile Investments

Technology continues to march forward. Desktop and laptop computers have become so fast and powerful that the development focus has shifted to devices, sometimes referred to as appliances. This trend may continue for a while. Although some would call these new developments toys, when used to empower ministry teams, they can translate into saved souls. This is when technology investment makes sense and becomes worthwhile.

—Nick B. Nicholaou, Huntington, California