608 – For The Generations To Come

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The WELSTech Summer series continues this week with an interview with the Coordinator of WELS Congregational Services. Sallie’s learning new programming skills on her phone while Martin is keeping things doubly secure with Google. In the Community Feedback segment, one listener shares his experience with an affordable digital display solution.

The discussion:

Congregational Services – Pastor Jon Hein serves as both Director of WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling and Coordinator of WELS Congregational Services. Martin and Sallie chat with him about another important job he filled at the recent Synod Convention, that of convention essayist (with a modern twist). He also shares info on several new initiatives in Congregational Services.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Watch Pastor Jon Hein’s Synod Convention presentation.

Get involved:

607 – Synod Convention 2019

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WELSTech comes to you from WELS Synod Convention 2019 where Martin and Sallie talk with four of the attendees about their convention experience. And we even have video this time!

The discussion:

Paperless for the win – Many hands (and a dash of technology) make the Synod Convention experience a success.  Even more impressive is this year they did it without one click of a binder! Martin and Sallie learn about the convention experience from a variety of perspectives.

Get involved:

606 – Women’s Ministry

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Beat the summer heat with the cool voices of Martin and Sallie on this week’s WELSTech. We take a look at WELS Women’s Ministry, yet another area where WELS Congregational Services supports ministry. Martin alerts us to an “iconic” celebration, plus Sallie shares tips for recording on the go.

The discussion:

Living Stones – Fresh off attendance at WELS Women’s Ministry Conference, Sallie shares her experience. Check out resources from the conference and learn more about Women’s Ministry at wels.net/womens-ministry.

Interviews include …

  • Michelle Birschbach – Breakout leader on the topic “Professing Your Faith: When Water Cooler Talk Can Land You in Hot Water”
  • Alycia Cameron – First-time conference attendee and women’s ministry leader at St. Paul in Howard’s Grove, WI.
  • Pastor Donn Dobberstein – Administrator of WELS Discipleship and breakout leader on the topic “How do I …? Equipping Christian Women for Action”

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Enjoy archived videos of all devotions, worship and keynote speakers from the WELS Women’s Ministry Conference, courtesy of Luther Preparatory School. Watch Pastor Mike Novotny’s kick-off keynote, focused on 1 Peter 2:4-5.

Get involved:

605 – Prison Ministry

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This week the WELSTech summer series on WELS Congregational Services focuses on Prison Ministry, part of Special Ministries. Plus, there’s afterglow to enjoy related to the recent Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit, including presenter resources and photos. Community feedback covers social media ideas, QR codes, and multiple monitors for worship.

The discussion:

Prison Ministry – Dave Hochmuth, WELS Prison Ministry Administrator, shares some of the history of the group and the current blessings and challenges of ministry to prisoners in the digital age.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Check out the EdTechLead19 photo album and this slideshow video of the event.

Get involved:

604 – WELS Ed Tech Lead 2019

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Recorded in front of a live audience at WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit, WELSTech hosts Martin and Sallie talk with four of the attendees about their conference experience.

The discussion:

Reaching the Summit – Attendees, presenters, vendors, and planning committee members who were a part of #EdTechLead19 each walk away with unique experiences. Hear from four people who played a variety of roles at the conference.

Get involved:

603 – Conquerors through Christ

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Tune in to WELSTech for a discussion about the gospel response to Internet pornography offered by Conquerors through Christ. The community feedback buzz includes sign up for a taste of missions, classroom speaker recommendations, and a variety of ways people are offering catechism lessons online.

The discussion:

Pastor Mike NovotnyFrom Dirty to Dancing – Pastor Mike Novotny from The CORE in Appleton, WI serves as the chairman of Conquerors through Christ, a WELS Special Ministries taskforce to help Christians deal with the temptations and devastation caused by Internet pornography. He chats with Martin and Sallie about the work of the taskforce.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Check out a sample Catechism lesson with companion video on The Seventh Commandment which are featured in this blog post from Northwestern Publishing House.

Get involved:

Digging Technology - Israel archaeology dig

602 – Digging Technology

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Summer arrives on WELSTech this week as we begin a series on the various areas of WELS Congregational Services, with Special Ministries in the lead-off position. Martin and Sallie share hardware picks with mom in mind, and the community feedback bag includes media content, brave browsing, and STEM career options in agriculture!

The discussion:

Digging Technology - Israel archaeology digAll the hats – Pastor Jim Behringer, Administrator for WELS Special Ministries, joins Martin and Sallie to kick off our summer series on Congregational Services. We learn about the many and varied audiences Special Ministries serves and the army of behind-the-scenes volunteers who assist with the ministry efforts.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Here’s a sample video from WELS Special Ministries – Luther’s Seal (Captioned) for deaf and hard of hearing.

Get involved:

Faithfully Connected authors

601 – Don’t Give Jason Your Password!

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Spring has arrived on WELSTech as we wrap up our season-long book discussion of Faithfully Connected with guest host Jason Schmidt and an interview with the authors. Jason shares a “life changing” Google tool and a great book recommendation for summer. Plus, there’s news from Last Pass, a recommendation for Pear Deck, and the debut of the BORAM. Listen now!

The discussion and interview:

Faithfully Connected authors

Dr. Ben Boche and Dr. Jake Hollatz

Finding balance –  Jason Schmidt, edtech co-host extraordinaire, joins Martin and Sallie to wrap up our book discussion of Faithfully Connected. We cover chapter 9, Digital Security, and the conclusion.

And, as a special bonus, Martin and Sallie talk with the authors of Faithfully Connected, Dr. Ben Boche and Dr. Jake Hollatz, to learn more about the motivation and message of the book.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Learn more about Pear Deck for Google Slides in this introductory video.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 602 – Pastor Jim Behringer, administrator for Special Ministries, kicks off our summer focus on WELS Congregational Services.  Release date: Wednesday, June 5.

Get involved:

Idea

600 – Fixin’ To Launch A School Intranet?

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Welcome to WELSTech 600! In this milestone episode we wrap up our series on church and school intranets, discover some interesting new podcasts and video channels, and gear up for graduation and call day.

The discussion:

Idea

School Intranets with Trello – This Spring we’ve focused on building church and school intranets, or private web sites. Today we share a sample school Intranet design using Trello (reference the how-to video on Episode 592 for Trello tips) and recap intranet best practices.

News in tech:

Google Pixel 3a

WELS now:

Graduation & Call Day festivities

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Christ for Disciplers Podcast by Pastor Paul Steinberg

Community feedback:

Featured video:

What’s new in ChromeOS Version 74? from the Chromebook Classroom (Josh Sowash) YouTube channel

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 601 – The WELSTech hat trick is happening as we welcome guest host Jason Schmidt, wrap up our edtech book discussion of Faithfully Connected, and chat with the book authors!  Release date: Wednesday, May 22.

Get involved:

599 – Yet Another Reason To Attend WELS EdTechLead

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WELSTech returns with a chat about one of the most popular sectionals happening at this summer’s EDTechLead Summit. There’s also hardware and elastic picks of the week, free food for teachers, and password wisdom to share with your co-workers and friends.

The interview:

Tell your story in video – Jon Witte, Director of Bands at Luther High School, Onalaska, WI, gives listeners a sneak peek into his church and school promo video sectional happening this summer at WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Where teachers can get free food and discounts for Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10

Community feedback:

Featured video:

How to pick a proper password

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 600 – Join us for our 600th tech-in-ministry conversation as we explore school intranets in Trello.  Release date: Wednesday, May 15.

Get involved: