112 – The Best and Worst Picks of 2009

This week on the WELSTech podcast we look back at our best and worst picks of the week.

The discussion:

RSS Powers WELSTechClosing out 2009 – A year’s worth of Picks of the Week boils down to this special episode where Martin and Sallie share their best and worst selections.  From iPhone apps to social media, 2009 has been a banner year for digital advances.  The many memorable events of the year are showcased, using Google Wave of all things, in the video Waving Goodbye to 2009.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(41:57) Episode 113 – Next week we celebrate the two-year anniversary of the WELSTech Podcast and talk with Nelson Saba, creator of the Glo Bible.   (Release date 01/06/10)

The featured artist:

(43:56) We close with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com) – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen from their CD titled ”A Branch Is Growing”

Get involved:

111 – Tech Talk with a District President

This week the WELSTech podcast airs a special Christmas interview with Pastor Jon Buchholz, District President of the Arizona California District.

The interview:

Pastor Jon BuchholzThe Big Two – Arizona California District President, Pastor Jon Buchholz from Emmanuel in Tempe, AZ joins Martin and Sallie to share his insights into the opportunities and pitfalls of social media, and the big two uses of technology in a congregation setting.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(20:19) Episode 112 – Martin and Sallie take a look back at their best and worst picks of 2009. (Release date 12/30/09)

The featured artist:

(22:03) This week we close with the music of Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Joy to the World from their brand new Christmas CD “Anno Domini”

Get involved:

110 – The Medium Is The Message

This week on the WELSTech podcast we discuss chapter 2 of Shane Hipps’ book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture.

The discussion:

The Power of MediaThe Power of Media – Martin and Sallie explore the fundamental concept of media, as defined in chapter 2 of Shane Hipps’ book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture.  Heavily influenced by the writings of Marshall McLuhan, Mr. Hipps shares McLuhan’s four Laws of Media which serve as a standard for topics in future chapters.

Ministry resources:

(27:59) Copyright Community blog

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(54:15) Episode 111 – Our special Christmas week interview-only podcast features Arizona-California District President Pastor Jon Buchholz sharing his thoughts on technology in the synod.   (Release date 12/23/09)

The featured artist:

(56:32) A new WELS ensemble joins the WELSTech mix – Branches Band (www.branchesband.com) – Behold a Branch is Growing from their CD titled ”A Branch Is Growing”

Get involved:

109 – Reaching The Technophobe

This week on the WELSTech podcast Martin and Sallie discuss ideas for reaching out to the non-techies in your congregation.

The discussion:

Tackling tech fears – Has your congregation considered offering TSL classes – “Tech as a Second Language”?  Martin and Sallie explain how patience and communication are key factors in turning technophobes into digital consumers.

The interview:

Missionary Paul Nitz(16:06) Technology Malawi-Style – Missionary Paul Nitz joins Martin and Sallie from Lilongwe, Malawi to talk about the blessings and challenges of mission work Africa, and how technology is helping.

Ministry resources:

(36:04) Thanks to Nancy Thompson from Victory of the Lamb in Franklin, WI for tweeting several Christmas worship media giveaways:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:18) Episode 110 – Our discussion of Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture continues with chapter 2: Perceiving The Powers That Shape Us. (Release date 12/16/09)

The featured artist:

(58:12) This week we close with the piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – O Little Town of Bethlehem from her “Christmas Dreams” CD

Get involved:

108 – Tech-Enabled Religion Class

This week on the WELSTech podcast we share ministry resource examples of technology in religious education.

The discussion:

Wordle Luke 2 Ministry Resources galore – Rather than one short segment on Ministry Resources, today’s WELSTech episode discussion is dedicated to practical examples of technology for religion classes.  Martin and Sallie share links to video and image projects, Bible games, online quizzes and more.  Special thanks go out to Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI, who couldn’t participate in the recording but shared many links and much research for this episode!

News in tech:

(27:53) Google Chrome Operating System

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(42:15) Tune in to WELS Streams on December 6th @ 3 p.m. for the live audio stream of the Martin Luther College Christmas Concert

Community feedback:

  • (43:07) Steve Mathwig reported problems with WELSTech updates on the iPod Touch and Martin explains the cause
  • David Schumann from Peace in Janesville, WI suggested Audacity users try the “Normalize” function to even out sound levels in audio recordings
  • This week Jason Schmidt of Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted #WELSTech to share links to 5 Elements of a Successful Facebook Fan Page and IKnowThat.com

Coming up on WELSTech:

(51:25) Episode 109 – Tune in to WELSTech next week for a discussion of technology for tech-challenged areas and people plus an interview with Missionary Paul Nitz from Malawi, Africa.   (Release date 12/09/09)

The featured artist:

(52:50) This week we close with the Advent music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – A Voice Cries Out from their CD titled ”Led by the Light”

Get involved: