The WELSTech Christmas tradition continues as we bring you an interview with a synod administrator. This year the microphone is pointed at WELS Benefit Plans Office and Director Josh Peterman. We also send our best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Christmas celebration!

The interview

All things benefits – Get an inside look at the work of WELS Benefit Plans (BPO) as Director Josh Peterman visits with Martin. From health insurance and prescription coverage to pension and defined contribution benefits, BPO is the central hub for WELS benefit administration for those covered across the country and worldwide.

• WELSBPO.net

Next time

Our annual “best of” look back at all things WELSTech in 2024.

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WELSTech this week features a discussion of the online form creation process. There’s also mention of WELS Youth Night resources, a free online edtech conference, and a nifty set of bits that could make the perfect Christmas gift. Plus, the listener mailbag is full of interesting items. Time to tune in!

The discussion

It all starts with a plan – Martin and Sallie discuss best practices when designing forms for online data collection, including understanding the goals before you start designing, keeping questions consistent, and security and privacy of the data collected.

Ministry resources

• WELS Youth Night

Picks of the week

• Sign up for the (FREE) Ditch Summit – December 16 to January 10
  • Join AI for Admins
• 64 precision bits from iFixIt.com

Community feedback & events

• How do you streamline church attendance data entry? Share your experience!
• Beware of “porch pirates” from Kim Komando
• EANS funded device management, a WELSTech Google Group discussion

Next time

Joshua Peterman from WELS Benefit Plans joins the Christmas conversation.

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We’re back at the intersection of technology and ministry with another episode of WELSTech. The topic of the day is elementary tech integration, and it features a lively conversation with WELSTech semi-regular co-hosts, Jason & Rachel.  We also pack in news of an Advent devotional resource, transcription where you least expect it, and the new and improved Call Report. Don’t miss it!

The discussion

Elementary tech integration – Joining Martin and Sallie for an education-focused discussion are Director of Academic Computing for Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld and Director of Technology for Oshkosh (WI) Area School District Jason Schmidt. This season we’re letting the tech integration framework SAMR be our guide as we look at various edtech topics, and that leads to some interesting points when we consider the early elementary students who thrive on routine. Spoiler alert: They do best when the tech is boring! And don’t even bring up their need to learn typing. :-)

Ministry resource

• Martin Luther College (MLC) Advent Devotional
• Tune in – or better yet, attend – one of these special Christmas concerts ….
  • Martin Luther College
    • December 7 at 7:30 pm
    • December 8 at 4:00 pm
  • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
    • December 8 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Picks of the week

• Apple Notes audio recording and transcribe
• Google Vids
• Ditch That Textbook eBooks
• Dell XPS9425

Community feedback & events

• Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) Faith Footnotes Podcast featuring Pastor Andy Schroer discussing his book, 364 Days of Thanksgiving
• Check out the new and improved WELS Call Report

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WELSTech welcomes MLC’s Dr. James Carlovsky for a look at Artificial Intelligence from his research and presentations to various audiences. The rest of the show includes thoughts on giving thanks, the AI prompts industry, AI YouTube resources, texting your congregation, and evaluating your worship live stream.

The discussion

Pros and Cons of AI – Dr James Carlovsky from Martin Luther College chats with Martin and Sallie about what may be the biggest disruptor in education. Does it make you more or less creative? Does it do the thinking for you or getting you thinking? The more you learn, the more there is to learn about AI.

• AI Power Hour resources from OpenLearning@MLC
• Brave New World: How AI Revolutionized Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing) by Sal Khan

Ministry resource

• 364 Days of Thanksgiving Bible Study
• Best AI Tools for Enhancing Productivity

Picks of the week

• PromptBase.com
  • Professional AI Prompt Whisperers
• Skill Leap AI YouTube channel

Community feedback & events

• Congregation texts

Next time

We talk elementary tech integration, SAMR-style, with Rachel and Jason.

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On WELSTech this week we talk about the tech at our fingertips as we reveal our office setups. Additionally, we share gift ideas for welcoming church visitors and new members, an overview of the latest version of Logos which introduces AI into the Bible software, and where to find that wonderful smell of leather.

The discussion

Desk setup – Martin and Sallie share their workspaces and highlight their favorite tools for getting work done.

Martin’s work desk

• Standing desk
• SSD backup
• Apple Magic Trackpad
• Logitech G915 keyboard
• Dell monitor
• Magnetic cord holder
• Lamp

Sallie’s work-from-hone desk

• Logitech K380 keyboard
• Logitech M340 silent mouse
• Laptop stand
• Purple Royal seat cushion

Martin’s work-from-home desk

• Monitor
• Webcam
• Moniter arm
• Desk lamp
• Drawers
• Desktop
• Computer stand
• Chair & chair wheels
• Cable management
• Microphone & microphone arm
• Keyboard

Ministry resources

• 16 Unique and Thoughtful Church Welcome Gifts
• Guest gift table at St Paul’s, North Mankato, MN

Picks of the week

• Windows/Start + V for Copy history on PCs
• Pandora background music for your workday
• Nomad Magnetic Leather Back for iPhone

Community feedback & events

• WELS National Teen Bible Study
• The latest iteration of Logos Bible Software

Next time

Dr. James Carlovsky from Martin Luther College joins the AI conversation.

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We’re 15 years past episode 100 of WELSTech and back once again with your 735th dose of WELSTech goodness! Joining us is the first “Director of Digital Ministry” ever to appear on WELSTech. Listen and learn about the work behind that unique job title. Our picks have a gaming theme, and we share a great resource on church text messaging … for FREE!!!

The discussion

Online outreach – Joining Martin and Sallie is Michael Babler, Director of Digital Ministry at Victory of the Lamb in Franklin, WI. Michaels unique job title is intriguing and makes for an interesting conversation about the ministry efforts he is involved with. He emphasizes making intentional choices when it comes to content delivery platforms. He also discusses some of the behind-the-scenes software in use at Victory of the Lamb to create and share content to the digital world.

• Pathwright
• Canva
• Vista Social
• iMovie
• Adobe Premier

Ministry resource

• WELS Women’s Ministry Reflections on Our Unique Callings devotions

Picks of the week

• Let’s Play Bingo
• Logitech G502 Hero Gaming Mouse

Community feedback & events

• Gloo offers FREE text messaging for churches. Check out Pastor Dan Sprain’s (Shepherd of the Valley, West Fargo, ND) experience and tips (PDF).
• The newest podcast in town is from Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) titled Faith Footsteps
  • Pre-order Christ Through Us, celebrating 175 years of WELS and at a 20% discount until October 15
• Recommended by Alycia Cameron – Hubspot’s Marketing Against the Grain podcast #268 featuring a discussion of NotebookLM from Google

Next time

Join us for WELSTech 736 where we’ll discuss our desktop setups.

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WELSTech meets edtech meets ministry this week as we talk tech integration steps for learning and building the infrastructure to support it. We also include details on upcoming classes and webinars of interest, AI image generation, and a surprise new DIY podcast method that gives AI a voice!

The discussion

Framing it with SAMR – We welcome back to WELSTech Director of Academic Computing for Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld and Director of Technology for Oshkosh (WI) Area School District Jason Schmidt. This season our episodes with Jason and Rachel will include references to the technology integration framework SAMR, which stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. After a bit of a SAMR crash course, we learn more about how the basics of tech infrastructure in a school affect the implementation of SAMR.

Ministry resource

• Coming Soon from MLC
  • Enhancing Ministry with Technology taught by Martin Spriggs – Spring 2025
  • Open Learning webinar presented by Dr. James Carlovsky – AI Power Hour: Boost Your Productivity with Creative Tools – November 4 at 7 pm Central
• There’s still time to nominate for the WELSTech AI Summit

Picks of the week

• The Teachers Guide to Tech 2024
• Padlet
• MidJourney
• Miro

Community feedback & events

• MyLens AI creates teaching visuals

 

• NotebookLM from Google can generate a podcast

• Upcoming Women’s Ministry Webinar: Little Lives with Jesus – October 10 at 7 pm Central
• FCC Cyber Security Pilot Program

Next time

WELSTech will be back in a few weeks, and we’ll all be surprised by the discussion topic!

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On this episode of WELSTech, Martin and Sallie continue their discussion on ministry volunteers, with a look at the challenges of communication and showing appreciation. You’ll also hear about creating your own online store for branded merchandise from your church or school, learning the ins and outs of church speaker placement, and nominating someone for the WELSTech AI Summit. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for those stealthy mice!

The discussion & interview

Communicating & appreciating – Martin and Sallie return to the topic of volunteers, focusing on establishing and maintaining communication channels as well as ways to show appreciation to volunteers.

• Text from your computer using iCloud and iMessage
• Turn to Pinterest for ideas on thanking volunteers

Ministry resources

Create an online store for your church and school (and perhaps gift your volunteers some swag)

• WELSStore.net
• Online Company Stores from Sky High Marketing (Mention you are WELS)
• Printify

Picks of the week

• Logitech M340 silent mouse
• Church Speaker Placement 101 – Everything You Need to Know from ChurchLeaders.com

Community feedback & events

• Diffit has new templates
• Copyright for live streaming
• Canva Teams price increase
• Martin is accepting nominations for the WELSTech AI Summit, February 21-23, 2025 in Doral, FL

Next time

They’re baaaack! Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt co-host and the ed tech goodness abounds!

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WELSTech is in the groove! The regular season groove, that is. Join Martin and Sallie as we kick off a new season of the show and bring back a favorite show segment, Ministry Resources, that was missed over the summer. The show focus today is adding new volunteers to your team using tools and ideas aimed at giving them the knowledge and resources to carry out their responsibilities with confidence and joy.

The discussion & interview

Volunteers for the win – Martin and Sallie take a deep dive into working with volunteers in church or school. There are tech tools to assist with finding the right people and then orienting them to their new responsibilities.

• Time and talent surveys – example 1 and example 2
• WELS Spiritual Growth survey
• Email ideas for welcoming new volunteers
• Free volunteer training videos
• Why You Need a Volunteer Onboarding Process

Ministry resources

• 6 Types of Working Genius: Discover Your Gifts
• At the Table Podcast

Picks of the week

• Click-N-Ship from the U.S. Post Office
• Loom

Community feedback & events

• Canva Pro is free for educators and non-profits
• ChatGPT for Parents online course from Blueprint Schools
• Martin is accepting nominations for the WELSTech AI Summit, February 21-23, 2025 in Doral, FL

Next time

We’ve got more to share on working with volunteers, including communication and appreciation.

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On this episode of WELSTech … we conclude our Summer Tech Talks series with an interesting interview of District President Joel Zank about the technology in use by WELS Conference of Presidents. We also share image editing, student reflection, browser, robotics, and transcription tools to make your days easier and more efficient. Join us today at the intersection of ministry and technology!

The discussion & interview

The finale – Wrapping up the WELSTech Summer Tech Talks series is Northern Wisconsin District President Pastor Joel Zank from Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI. He and Martin discuss the technology that assists the work of WELS Conference of Presidents as they oversee the call process for pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.

Picks of the week

• BINGO – Sallie’s summer of professional development is complete
  • Canva Pro
  • Mirror
• Microsoft Edge

Community feedback & events

• First Robotics – New robotics curriculum for grades 7-12
• Vibe! – AI for transcription
  • Overview video
  • Check out the results of Vibe! transcribing and AI summarizing this episode of WELSTech

Next time

We start a new season with volunteer management ideas.

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It’s almost time for back-to-school, and this episode of WELSTech will introduce listeners to helpful Lutheran Schools personnel who many will recognize. They shed light on school statistics and products as well as give us a sneak peek at next summer’s WELS Education Conference, currently in the planning stages. Sallie is “certified” and can’t wait […]