Episode 043 – Oct 29 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie tackle texting and twittering as they discuss mobile technology and applications for future ministry.  They also interview Pastor Hans Caauwe on his use of Apple’s new iPhone 3G.

The discussion:

  • Mobile Technology – “Texting and twittering and smart phones, oh my!” Martin and Sallie discuss the technology behind in-your-pocket, cell phone-based communication and how it will potentially affect our future ministry efforts.

The interview:

  • Pastor Johann CaauweiPhone in Ministry (17:40) –  Pastor Johann Caauwe from Trinity in El Paso, TX joins Martin and Sallie to share his experience of using the new iPhone 3G in his ministry – a great example of technology as a servant in ministry.
    • Pastor Caauwe’s blog – Tools of the Trade

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (35:15)
  • Of interest (40:55)
    • Live streaming of the Spanish Reformation Service
      • October 31 @ 7 p.m. CDT from Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI
  • Community feedback (41:38)
    • Andy from Mt. Olive in Overland Park, KS suggested a future show topic on web site software options
    • Kevin Smith from Christ in Zumbrota, MN pointed us to ProCare Software for pre-school management
    • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared his experiences with introducing new technology in his classroom and congregation
  • Coming up on WELSTech (46:12)
    • Episode 044 – Podcasting from the Wisconsin Teachers Conference with our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – All from her CD titled The Instrument (47:30)

Get involved:

Episode 042 – Oct 22 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie share tips and tricks for evaluating and redesigning your church or school web site.

The discussion:

  • Redesign your church or school web site – Most congregations and schools have had a web site for some time and may be due for a “facelift” or redesign of the content, look and navigation of the site.  Martin and Sallie share ideas for evaluating your site to make it appealing and useful for the various audiences who visit.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (25:04)
  • WELS.net feature (30:21)
    • Explore the Bible – www.whataboutjesus-explorethebible.com
  • Of interest (31:48)
    • Live streamingof WELS Regional High School Choral Festivals
      • November 9 @ 2 p.m. CDT from Illinois Lutheran High School
      • November 16 @ 2 p.m. CDT from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School
  • Community feedback (33:58)
    • John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA shared information on Google video indexing and asked about setting up podcasts for iTunes
    • Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI shared information on creating webouts
    • David Schumann from Peace in Janesville, WI shared ideas about using Skype of long distance worship.  Share your experience if your congregation does this.
  • Coming up on WELSTech (38:27)
    • Episode 043 – Mobile Technology – How can you use a cell phone for ministry?

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS contemporary praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Crown Him With Many Crowns from their CD titled Koine (39:09)

Get involved:

Episode 041 – Oct 15 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie discuss considerations for starting an electronic newsletter.  The interview section of the show focuses on the synod’s own electronic newsletter, Together.

The discussion:

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (37:45)
  • WELS.net feature (43:03)
    • Mission Connection online archive
  • Of interest (44:21)
    • We have a winner!  Listen as we play additional voice mail contest entries from our listeners and choose a winner of the recent WELSTech contest. Enjoy shopping at cafepress.com/welstech!
  • Community feedback (51:07)
    • Jeff Clark wrote to share information on hardware configurations – a possible discussion topic for a future WELSTech episode
    • Cindy Krueger from Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI shared a link to an article by Dan Lohrmann titled “How Safe is Cloud Computing?”
    • Following up on last week’s interview, we heard from Andy Theimer that there are 8 new “inWELS” members on LinkedIn, and we also heard from one of those new members, Danny Smith
  • Coming up on WELSTech (54:05)
    • Episode 042 – Redesign – Why and how to redesign your web site plus the inside scoop on the upcoming WELS.net redesign

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS pianist, Dawn Gehlhar – Precious Lord Take My Hand from her Inspirations CD (55:07)

Get involved:

Episode 040 – Oct 8 2008

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This week on WELSTech the focus is social networking and how online connections can be utilized for ministry.  Martin and Sallie talk with Andy Theimer, a WELS member who has started an online group aimed at connecting WELS business people.

The discussion:

  • Social networking inside the congregation – Martin and Sallie explore ways to extend your ministry efforts online via social networks.  From file sharing to gathering information via web forms to two-way interaction about Bible class topics on discussion forums, using web 2.0 tools to connect with members and connect members to other members with like interests (Mom’s groups, etc.) will become more and more acceptable and expected in this digital age.
    • Create your own social network at Ning.com

The interview:

  • Andy TheimerinWELS (21:31) – Andy Theimer, WELS member and entrepreneur, joins Martin and Sallie to share information about a group he’s started on the business-oriented social networking site LinkedIn called “inWELS”.  Listen and learn more about the benefits of being part of “inWELS”.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (40:11)
  • WELS.net feature (48:46)
    • WELS Yearbook – www.wels.net/jump/yearbook
  • Of interest (51:08)
    • WELSTech contest – Extended to midnight, Sunday, October 12th
      • Phone in your comments (414-375-2334) to this question: What digital devices do you use in your classroom or Bible class?
      • All comments will be entered in a drawing for a $15 gift certificate to the WELSTech Podcast store – www.cafepress.com/welstech
    • www.k12onlineconference.org
  • Community feedback (53:46)
  • Coming up on WELSTech (57:48)
    • Episode 041 – All about newsletters – For your congregation or school as well as the synod’s Together newsletter
    • Episode 042 – Redesign – Why and how to redesign your web site plus the inside scoop on the upcoming WELS.net redesign

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Revelation music ministry (www.revelationwlc.com) – God of Wonders from their We Walk By Faith CD (59:05)

Get involved:

Episode 039 – Oct 1 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie talk about ways to “Go Green” with church and school electronics.  They also interview Pastor Mark Cares about the success of his new blog which targets outreach to Mormons.

The discussion:

  • WELSTech Goes GREEN – Martin and Sallie share ideas for churches, schools and individuals to reduce, reuse and recycle their electronics for both environmental and, at times, monetary gain.  In these ways we can be wise stewards of the gifts entrusted to us.

The interview:

  • Pastor Mark CaresUsing Blogs for Outreach (22:50) – Pastor Mark Cares, author of Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, joins Martin and Sallie to discuss the exciting attention his new blog, Markcare’s Weblog, is receiving and how the blog fits into Truth in Love Ministries overall plans for outreach to Mormons.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (39:09)
  • WELS.net feature (44:03)
    • Spanish language resources
      • Cristo Palabra de Vida – www.cristopalabra.net
      • Blog – cristopalabra.wels.net
      • Virtual Church – www.iglesiavirtual.wels.net
      • Upcoming chat on Reformation – October 28 @ 8 p.m.
  • Of interest (47:40)
    • WELSTech Contest – Phone in your comments (414-375-2334) to this question: What digital devices do you use in your classroom or Bible class?
      • All comments received by October 7, 2008 will be entered in a drawing for a $15 gift certificate to the WELSTech Podcast store – www.cafepress.com/welstech
    • WELSTech Wiki – Share your church media experience
  • Community feedback (55:13)
    • Pastor Kevin Draper from St. John’s in Sleepy Eye, MN shared information on potential wireless microphone problems.  Listeners are invited to update the WELSTech Wiki – microphones page with additional resources on this topic.
    • Listener Ralph Miller pointed us to the multi-media Bible resource, iLumina Gold Premium Edition
    • Pastor Steve Bauer from Faith Lutheran Church, in West Newton, PA shared links to free open source software for churches

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, Michael Schroeder (wctc.net/~mas) – In My Life from his CD titled A Witness (59:54)

Get involved:

Episode 038 – Sep 24 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie are joined by Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, and we discuss digital devices in the classroom and kick off a new WELSTech contest.

The discussion:

  • Digital devices in the classroom – Are computer labs necessary in today’s schools?  Martin, Sallie and Gail share ideas for integrating digital devices into the classroom learning process.
    • Interactive whiteboards
    • Computers
    • WELSTech ContestPhone in your comments (414-375-2334) to this questionWhat digital devices do you use in your classroom or Bible class?
      • All comments received by October 7, 2008 will be entered in a drawing for a $15 gift certificate to the WELSTech Podcast store – www.cafepress.com/welstech

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (30:25)
  • WELS.net feature (40:37)
    • Sunday School Teacher Training – www.wels.net/jump/wnusstraining
  • Community feedback (42:08)
    • Cindy Krueger, member of Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI, shared a link to Michigan Library Consortium’s (the other MLC) list of open source software recommendations
    • Anna, a student at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, asked about uses of technology in church – a religion class assignment

The featured artist:

  • We close with the music WELS artist Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com) – Prelude to Praise from his CD titled Run Boy Run (45:27)

Get involved:

Episode 037 – Sep 17 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie soar into the cloud of web-based computing applications and discuss the exciting, affordable possibilities for church office needs.

The discussion:

  • Slide Rocket presentationChurch Office Computing in the Cloud – Martin recently attended the Office 2.0 Conference, and he shares with us his vision of “cloud” or web-based applications for the church office.  You may follow along via Martin’s online “Church Office 2.0” SlideRocket presentation as you listen to the podcast discussion.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (36:24)
  • WELS.net feature (42:27)
    • Committee on Relief blog – relief.wels.net
  • Of interest (44:11)
    • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium on Church
  • Community feedback (45:19)
    • Jason Winget’s congregation uses QuickBooks software for financial management, and he is looking for procedures for conducting a church accounting system audit.  Check out his WELSTech listserve post.

The featured artist:

  • This week we close with the music of In His Service featuring WELS musicians Dr. Patricia Backhaus and Valerie Floeter (www.adagioconcepts.com) – O God, Your Hand the Heaven’s Made from their In His Time CD (47:10)

Get involved:

                         

Episode 036 – Sep 10 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie focus on methods for organizing paper and digital content so that it can easily be retrieved when needed.  They also interview one of the founders of the popular video podcast, GeekBrief.tv.

The discussion:

  • Getting Organized – Besides the mounds of paper everyone is required to deal with on a daily basis, pastors and teachers are also known to generate a lot of written, audio and video resources.  Keeping track of all this “stuff” and, most importantly, being able to retrieve it when needed, are the subjects of Martin and Sallie’s discussion today.
    • Dealing with paper
      • General filing tips
      • Setting up “43 Folders”
      • Digitize with the Fujitsu ScanSnap
    • Desktop search
    • Multiple desktops
      • www.360desktop.com
      • Mac Spaces
    • Tagging

The interview:

  • Neal CampbellLifting the curtain on video podcasting (23:39) – Neal Campbell, the self-described “eccentric dork” behind the camera at the nationally known video podcast, GeekBrief.tv, joins Martin and Sallie to share some of the secrets behind their “Shiny, Happy Tech News” and how churches might get started podcasting or videocasting.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (41:43)
    • Capture and share images and screen videos – www.jingproject.com
      • View the WELSTech site tour created with Jing
    • Sync notes across computers and mobile phones – www.evernote.com
  • WELS.net feature (48:10)
    • Visit WELS Kingdom Workers Mission Information Center to request mission related materials for display in your church or school – www.wels.net/jump/wkw-mic
  • Community feedback (50:19)
    • We have 8 new members of the WELSTech wiki, and we are still asking listeners to share their church media experience – welstech.wetpaint.com
    • John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA is looking for free audio sound bites to mix into a new podcast he is developing – Check out www.soundsnap.com

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS recording artist Kevin Loersch as he sings a medley of Children of the Heavenly Father and Jesus Loves Me from his CD titled Abide With Me (54:42)

Get involved:

Episode 035 – Sep 3 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie take a closer look at the tools used to create and share church media and invite WELSTech listeners to share their experience in this area.  Martin interviews Paul Jackson, one of the founders of MediaShout, a congregational display system software.

The discussion:

  • Let’s collaborate on church media – Church media includes all things related to audio and video recording and production, including hardware components, software and even training.  Using a wiki site, Martin and Sallie added initial information on various church media resources.  WELSTech listeners are encouraged to share their experience, how-to’s, things to avoid and any other useful ideas in the wiki.
    • Help us build church media resources on the WELSTech wiki – welstech.wetpaint.com

The interview:

  • MediaShoutMediaShout (18:20) – Martin had the opportunity to talk with Paul Jackson of MediaShout about their congregational display system software.  Learn about the software capabilities and pricing as well as the features that makes MediaShout different from other church media software.

The tidbits:

The featured artist:

  • We close with the music WELS artist, WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – Nearer My God To Thee from her CD titled Favorite Hymns (41:35)

Get involved:

Episode 034 – Aug 27 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin, Sallie and our semi-regular classroom correspondent, Gail Potratz, discuss congregation and school uses for wikis.  Also, we are joined by Maria Andersen as she shares how Web 2.0 leveled the playing field when it comes to teaching online.

The discussion:

  • Wikis – Martin, Sallie and Gail give listeners a crash course on wikis, a very popular Web 2.0 tool which can be used for web-based collaboration in churches and schools.  Featuring easy set-up and update functions that anyone can do without HTML or other programming knowledge, wikis also allow for inclusion of all forms of multi-media content.
    • www.wikispaces.com
      • Gail’s sample WELSTech wiki – welstechwiki.wikispaces.com
    • www.pbwiki.com
      • Educator tools
    • www.wetpaint.com
      • Martin’s sample WELSTech wiki – welstech.wetpaint.com
    • Set up you own server-based wiki using open-source MediaWiki.org

The interview:

  • Maria Anderson - real and avatarLeveling the online education playing field (20:10) – Maria Andersen, who serves on the Math Faculty at Muskegon Community College, joins Martin and Sallie to discuss her experiences as an online calculus teacher and share how Web 2.0 tools allow all her students to communicate with her regardless of their software and hardware set-up.  You’ll even hear the story behind the purple calculus teacher avatar that Maria uses on her blog.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (39:05)
  • WELS.net feature (50:00)
    • Through My Bible in 3 Years – a variety of flavors to suit every taste
      • Pamphlet from NPH
      • Read online or subscribe for e-mail or RSS delivery – www.wels.net/jump/bible3
      • Listen on your computer or MP3 player – www.wels.net/jump/bible3podcast
      • Display the RSS feeds on your web site
      • Combine it all into a Bible reading program for your congregation – Sample from St. John’s in Sleepy Eye, MN – www.stjohnsse.com/in-the-word
  • Of interest (53:41)
    • WELS Marriage Retreats – www.wels.net/jump/marriageretreat
  • Community feedback (54:40)

The featured artist:

  • We close with the music WELS contemporary praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Chief of Sinners Though I Be from their CD title Koine (59:42)

Get involved: