The absolute most popular post in the history of my blog has been the “Top iPhone Apps for Ministry.” I will get numerous visits to that post daily. So, today, in honor of the release of the Verizon iPhone, I am re-releasing my Top iPhone app picks, with a few additions. Since I last posted, I got myself a nice shiny new iPhone 4 (LOVE IT!) and have downloaded several new useful apps.

Since I first purchased my first iPhone 2 1/2 years ago, I’ve added hundreds of apps, most free but some paid. If I pay for it, its got to be guaranteed to be good. I only listed apps that I’ve used in a ministry context. I didn’t include the apps I use regularly that are not ministry related like games or the like, nor did I include apps I don’t regularly use that might have a use for ministry. The following apps jump out and are almost indispensible for my work as a youth minister. If you’re interested in getting them, simply click on the logo and you can download them.

Facebook App

Want to keep touch with your Facebook friends? This is the perfect way to do that. You can’t do everything you can on the website version, but its good in the ways that count – updating statuses, messaging people, uploading pictures, and keeping in touch. The newest feature is the “Places”, which gives you the ability to “check-in” somewhere so people know where you’re at.

You Version Holy Bible

This free Bible app is something I use almost every day. You can take the Bible anywhere, look up verses by word or phrase, or even have a daily reading. Its easy to use and quick to search. You also have access to multiple versions, including many that usually cost money. You can also tweet what you’re reading.

GReaderApp

If you read blogs, this is a easy way to do it. If you have a google reader account, you can access your account through this basic app. It’s a simple app, but its free and gives you all the features of your google reader account.

DocsToGo

Need to work on a lesson or a sermon at Taco Bell? If you have to edit some documents on the go, this is a great program to do it with. The iPhone isn’t made for heavy document work, but this program does make it much easier.

Toodledo

If you have problems keeping track of what you need to do, the Toodledo app is perfect for you. You can even sync with outlook or Google or any number of To Do lists you keep.

Evernote

Taking notes has never been easier. You can use text, pictures, or sound to make notes. It is easily organizable; you can keep things in their own separate files. You can also search by keyword (even photos!). It also comes with sync-able desktop software that you can take notes with and take clips from the web. This has become my mobile brain. If I have an idea, I jot it down in evernote. If I find something online worth keeping, I clip it to evernote. This program (both on the iPhone and computer) will multiply your effectiveness.

WordPress

Do you blog, and use wordpress? This app works great for writing blogs on the go. You can edit multiple blogs, deal with comments, write new posts, and even edit pages. Due to the obvious keyboard limitations, you won’t want to write 1000 word posts, but for quick updates, working with comments, or blogging on a mission trip it works great.

* – I use wordpress for my blog, so its makes sense that this is the one I use. But I believe they have options for all the other major blogging services that are equally featured.

Pandora

Pandora – Need music to listen to on the next youth group trip, but don’t know any good Christian stations? Pandora will make it easy for you. Just type in an artist you want to listen to, and it will load up artists that have similar music.

Tough Topics

A vital app if you love to get your teens talking. This Youth Specialties app combines the “Tough Topics” books that you might have in your library and now you can get your teens talking anywhere.

Attendance

If you want a way to keep track of attendance at your activities, this app makes it easy. You can even send excel files to add to a desktop file. This one costs money, but the developer has been amazing with updates. Of all the hundreds of apps I have on my phone, this one is updated the most, usually a couple times a month.

Tweetdeck

If you’re a twitter-er, you have a lot of apps to choose from. The official twitter app is pretty good, but I prefer tweetdeck for performance and style. Tweetdeck is free, so don’t bother paying for a twitter app.

Amazon Kindle

The Kindle iphone app blows the native iBooks app out of the water. More books, links across multiple platforms, and just better software. Only problem? Very few youth ministry titles in E-book format yet. So much for us youth ministers being on the cutting edge…

Slideshow Remote

If you do powerpoint presentations, you can use Remote over a wireless internet connection to control the presentation. You can see the slide on your phone, and have total control over your presentation.

LIVE Curriculum

If you use Simply Youth Ministry’s LIVE Curriculum, you need this app. It gives you full access to the curriculum on the go. You do need to pay the $499 for the curriculum, but the app is free. In interest of full disclosure, I’ve never used this app (because I don’t subscribe to the LIVE Curriculum) but I’ve heard its great.

Camera+

The native camera app is really good on the iPhone, but if you take a lot of photos, or need to have stuff like a “burst” setting where you take a bunch of pictures quickly, or a timer, Camera+ is a good addition to your apps. It cost $1.99, but its more than worth it especially if you use your iPhone to take lots of youth pictures.

Google Voice

I love Google Voice. If you’re not familiar with the service, Google provides you a number you can use across multiple devices or locations (cell phone, home, work, etc). You can set up where you want to be reached, numbers to ring you automatically, numbers to go straight to voicemail, etc. Finally, GV has a native iPhone app. While I prefer the $2.99 GV Connect, the free one from Google itself is very good as well. The plus side for those of us working with teens – absolutely free texting! Why waste $15 a month on a texting plan when you can get it for free?

Week Calendar

The native calendar app is decent, but I like the functionality that comes with Week Calendar. It just gives you more options, and to my mind looks better. The best feature is the ability to see and schedule your week, not just daily or monthly. It does cost $1.99, but again to me its worth it.

My Maps Pocket

I use the “My Maps” feature on Google maps to save my own specialty maps of local schools, my students, points of interest, etc. If you use the My Maps feature, this app is awesome because it gives you easy access to your maps.

If you have an iPhone, I’d love to hear what apps you use for your ministry. If you use another phone, sorry that you’re stuck with junk. I kid, I kid. I’d love to hear what other phones offer for ministry apps as well. 

Related posts:

1. Best iPhone apps for youth ministry
2. Top 12 iPhone Apps for Youth Ministry
3. Prayer in your youth ministry
4. Youth Ministry on a budget