[Note: This is the final part in a series discussing practical, pastoral uses of an iPad. You might find it helpful to start with part one, two, three, four, and/or five.]
Last Christmas, I skipped my iPhone upgrade—that’s right! I’m rocking an iPhone 5, still—and used my Christmas money to buy an iPad. For a while, I wished I hadn’t.
At least then.
See, I don’t have access to wifi at work, and so, my iPad doesn’t get a ton of use during the day.* Fortunately, I’ve learned a few ways to make it useful, and I’m finally getting value out of it.
And that’s why you shouldn’t buy an iPad: It’s not a productivity solution. It’s a workflow destroyer, though you may be able to but a new workflow out of the smoldering ruble. Whether it will be a better workflow or not will be for you to determine.
To me, I see two additional terrible reasons to buy an iPad, besides the aforementioned assumed productivity boost, which I’ll call the “Myth of the Silver Productivity Bullet.”
1. “Why, yes, I am that pastor” Syndrome
Please don’t buy an iPad because you saw another pastor preach from his, and you think it’s cool. Having an iPad isn’t a status symbol; the only thing it symbolizes is that its owners likely overspend on their electronics.
2. “The Constraints of Inevitability”
No, it’s not inevitable that you’ll buy an iPad. It really isn’t. You don’t have to have one. Don’t fool yourself into think that you “have to have one.” When you actually do “have to” buy one, it will be obvious. Until such time, don’t believe the lie that this future tech need is inevitable.
Pastor, please show the same kind of wisdom and restraint that you ask of your people: don’t buy an iPad for one of these terrible reasons.
And with that, I’ll bring this series to a close. Are there more uses for an iPad or tablet? You bet. Are there more reasons to not buy an iPad? I’m sure. This series could go on indefinitely, but I think we’ve reached a point where I’ve said all that needs to be said, at this moment.
If you’ve got any thoughts or questions, please share them in the comments. We really do like hearing from you.
*I work full-time as a public school teacher, and while there are a TON of educational uses for an iPad, I’m stuck using it only as a digital textbook because I can’t use my device on the school’s wifi.
Josh says
Maybe a wifi-only iPad wasn’t the best choice if you can’t use wifi at work.
I wonder if your lack of wifi at work is more of a productivity killer than your iPad.
Phil Schneider says
Perhaps. Part of the issue, though, is how much Apple disguises the iPad’s limits sans-data.
Joe Gallant says
I don’t think that’s true – data is a staple with technology these days. No-one’s trying to disguise it, even if it’s not obvious to everyone.
And you can still do a huge amount without data.
With that said, your last two reasons are solid.
Phil Schneider says
Data is a staple, but bluetooth is criminally underused.
Chris Wilson says
Bluetooth is pretty unstable as a technology though. If you use it with headphones or a smartwatch you can see it drops off a fair amount. I personally love that my iPad doesn’t have a data connection so I can do things without the distraction of the internet. If I do need the internet I can tether to my phone. I know I could just have the data and not use it but that extra layer of difficulty helps me.
Phil Schneider says
I do use the “lack” of Internet strategically, but I think that bluetooth could be better utilized, as along with that, better stabilized.
Auggie Mueller says
I’ve really enjoyed the ipad and to teach from the ipad. But without data and without lots of memory it’s truly a limited device and not for everyone.
I have really liked this series.
Phil Schneider says
Agreed! Thanks, Auggie!
Jonathan says
Our youth pastors have iPads that they use to show their notes and teach from, even navigating the slides as well. I find that if you can see the use and test it out in your workflow ahead of time to see if it will be a hinderance or a help it may actually just work for you.
Personally I saved up and got myself an iPad Pro for drawing and sketching as well as consuming media and reading on the couch. I wouldn’t trade it, through my digital art work is ages behind the likes I have seen on the web, but it’s something I strive to do and get better with in 2016. I am primarily a web and graphic artist though I have a background in fine arts. It’s just a matter of the tech and the uses for it and seeing the value in it especially if it doesn’t break your workflow.
Phil Schneider says
I agree.