496 – Social Media Superstars

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On WELSTech this season we’ve been exploring the use of social media in ministry. Today’s episode wraps up that series with a look at great examples of church and school accounts on each of the major social media platforms. We also talk with Pastor James Aderman regarding the WELS Intersections Facebook group, and Martin gives us a tour of the new WELS Locator tool which is integrated into the WELS Online Yearbook.

The discussion:

Watch and learn – Capping off a season-long focus on Social Media for Ministry, Martin and Sallie identify standout churches and schools who are making excellent use of social media channels. View the Social Media Superstars infographic.

The interview:

Up close with a social media superstar – Meet Retired Pastor James Aderman, the man behind WELS Intersections, a Facebook group which had its start at WELSTech Conference 2015. Almost 2 years later, the group is a great resource for topics at the intersection of technology and ministry.

Countdown to episode 500:

Revisit year 6 (2013) of WELSTech, episodes 269 to 322. This was the year of the “unconference,” and 100+ attended WELSTech Camp, our very own unconference event. Relive the great moments of 2013 with our Best of 2013 episode.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

New WELS Locator Joins Yearbook

Featured video:

MLC Day 2017 is history, but the fun and excitement lives on in this MLC Day Lipdub 2017 video, the newest addition to the WELSTech Likes List on Vimeo.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 497 – We shine the spotlight on WELSTech listeners as we share the latest community feedback! Release date: Wednesday, May 17.

Get involved:

492 – Social Media Ambassadors

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This week on WELSTech we offer tips to engage members in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ via social media. Sallie has some gear recommendations while Martin demonstrates the new Google Team Drives for shared file ownership. You’ll learn about the busiest year in WELSTech history as well as get insider info on a ShopWELS bargain available in April. Plus, there’s a bit of Koine for your Holy Week reflection.

The discussion:

“Equipping the saints” for social ministry – Social Media has been “mainstream” for the general public for years now, but some churches are still trying to use them effectively. One key to successful communications through these popular networks is the use of “ambassadors” – those who can take the message of the church/school and spread it through their wider networks. View the Social Media Ambassadors for Ministry infographic.

Countdown to episode 500:

Revisit year 2 (2009) of WELSTech, episodes 53 to 112. Highlights include our first summer series, Bonus WELSTech Goodness, a young Jason Schmidt, and “shock jock” Sallie’s surprising worst-of-the-year pick.

News in tech:

WELS now:

ShopWELS

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

17 Tips For Staying Productive

Featured video:

For your Holy Week reflection, enjoy Koine’s version of He Stood Before the Court, a new addition to the WELSTech Music playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 493 – Community feedback is back, and you won’t want to miss the ultimate in pen, paper, and microwave geekery which was shared! Release date: Wednesday, April 19.

Get involved:

488 – From Pork to Palms

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Pictures have always been a part of ministry. Throw in digital images AND social media and you have powerful tools to share the gospel. Join WELSTech this week for our continuing series on Social Media in Ministry with a look a two popular photo sharing sites: Flickr and Google Photos. As a bonus, you’ll also hear about upcoming WELS events, Martin’s new “macro” macro lens and help writing God’s Word on your heart.

The discussion:

Flickr and Google Photos for ministry – Perhaps not at the top of most social media list, Martin and Sallie explore the use of photo and video hosting sites, Flickr and Google Photos, in the church and school setting. View the Flickr and Google Photos for Ministry infographic.

WELS now:

  • Registration is underway for the 2017 National Worship Conference, happening June 13-16 at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI
  • Get your tickets to the 2017 WELS Night at Miller Park – August 10

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

On My Heart – A Lutheran Memory Work Program

Featured video:

Check out Google Photos Tutorial 2016, a new addition to the WELSTech Product Demo playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 489 – Tune in for tech-in-ministry goodness of the people, by the people and for the people … on WELSTech community feedback week! Release date: Wednesday, March 22.

Get involved:

484 – Social Media in Ministry: Facebook

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It’s Valentine’s Day on WELSTech, and we’re talking about chocolate’s important place in technology along with a little discussion on the use of Facebook for church and school as part of a social media strategy. Martin pulls back the curtain on Google’s logs of his travels, and Sallie shares a ministry resource walkthrough of the Free Bible Images web site.

The discussion:

Facebook for ministry – Martin and Sallie answer the Why, What, Who and How questions regarding using Facebook to share the Good News of Jesus with the 1.2 billion daily users of the site. View the Facebook for Ministry infographic.

WELS now:

Registration is underway for the 54th LWMS Convention, happening June 22-25 in Orlando, FL

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Free Bible Images

Featured video:

Learn more about Sallie’s pick of the week in this new addition to the Product Demo playlist titled Word Swag Tutorial – Turn your iPhone or iPad into a Marketing Machine.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 485 – Martin and Sallie share the latest and greatest news from the WELSTech community. Release date: Wednesday, February 22.

Get involved:

479 – Social Media in Ministry: YouTube

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Your ministry likely has, or will have, video to share in 2017. Listen in on a WELSTech discussion of the whys, whats, whos, and hows of using YouTube to get your videos played, talked about, and shared. There’s also coverage of some of the “wow” of CES, a pulsing pick of the week, and an in-depth look at the Minneapolis Institute of Art Martin Luther exhibit.

The discussion:

All about YouTube – In this era of visual communication, the popularity of the video hosting platform YouTube has raised it to the status of the second most popular search engine. And while many may not realize YouTube has a social side to it’s personality, it can be a great place to connect and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Featured video:

The newest addition on the WELSTech Presentation/Teaching YouTube playlist is Always With You featuring MLC Professor David Scharf from Your Time of Grace.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 480 – Tim Plath, chairman of Area Lutheran High Schools Online, talks with Martin and Sallie about the online learning platform, plus we discuss tech backup strategy for the new year. Release date: Wednesday, January 18.

Get involved:

470 – Social Media in Ministry: Twitter

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie broadcast from the new WELS Center for Mission and Ministry Welcome Center and discuss one of the biggest social networks that congregations don’t know quite what to do with…Twitter. Tune in for ideas on building a Twitter following for your organization and helping your members “spread the Word.”

The discussion:

Twitter for MinistryWelcome to Twitter – The latest installment in the WELSTech Social Media for Ministry series focuses on the micro-blogging platform, Twitter. Check out the Twitter for Ministry infographic for tips on the why, what, who and how of Twitter.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Follow WELS on Twitter – @WELStweets

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Follow Concordia Technology on Twitter – @ConcordiaTech

Featured video:

Visit Getting Started with Twitter for 6 short video overviews on using Twitter.

Twitter Help

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 471 – Tweet @WELSTech or #WELSTech and be part of Community Feedback week! Release date: Wednesday, November 16.

Get involved:

466: Social Media for Ministry: Pinterest

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WELSTech is back with episode 466, a look at the social media platform Pinterest and how it can be used to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s installment two of our year-long look at social media for ministry. We also bring you news of Christmas outreach resources, a free online conference, and an easy way to design verse images.

The discussion:

Pinning away – The Social Media for Ministry series is back, and this month’s focus is the media rich bookmarking app Pinterest (Martin’s favorite). View the full-size Pinterest for Ministry infographic, and check out the links below for more details.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Christmas 2016 outreach postcards – Order by October 26

Featured video:

This week we’ve added What’s Pinterest?, just one of the many helpful videos on the Pinterest YouTube channel, to the WELSTech Product Demo playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 467 – It’s Community Feedback week! Tune in because there’s always something new and helpful to explore. Release date: Wednesday, October 19.

Get involved:

462 – Social Media for Ministry: Instagram

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Get ready to go social as WELSTech begins a season-long focus on social media for ministry. This month we look at the Why, What, Who and How of Instagram. There’s news from Apple and Code.org, plus a bluetooth speaker winner and even more Instagram greatness to close out the show. Don’t wait … watch or listen now!

The discussion:

Visual communication – New this podcasting season is a monthly series titled Social Media for Ministry. The fist platform Martin and Sallie take a deep dive into is the popular image-sharing app Instagram. View the full-size Instagram for Ministry infographic and follow the links below for more details.

News in tech:

Apple’s newest products, most available starting September 16:

WELS now:

“What does this mean? The continuing importance of Luther’s Small Catechism” is the title of the upcoming Interactive Faith series led by Rev. John Braun. Tune in on Wednesdays at 6 or 8 pm Central beginning September 21.

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Request the Social Media Quick Guide: Instagram from Church Tech Today’s eBooks page.

Featured video:

Check out Instagram’s videos on Vimeo including this week’s featured video, Introducing Instagram Stories.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 463 – Next week the WELSTech listeners rule the roost as we share community feedback for the month. Release date: Wednesday, September 21.

Get involved: