Tag Archive for: outreach

735 – Digital Ministry

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.

Ministry resource

Picks of the week

Community feedback & events

Next time

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

Get involved

727 – Summer Tech Talks – Jeremy Seeger

The WELSTech “Summer Tech Talks” interview series continues with a trip to the other side of the world as we learn about the technology at work on WELS World Missions Asia One team. Sallie shares tips from the recent OpenLearning@MLC conference, and Martin has a new browser pick. Plus, we have the inside scoop on online professional development that not only includes college credit, but also has our favorite price tag – FREE!!

The discussion & interview

Asia One – Teacher Jeremy Seeger, who wears multiple hats on WELS Asia One outreach team, shares blessings and challenges around the efforts to share the good news. In addition to his duties for Asia Lutheran Seminary, where he serves as Dean of the English Certificate Program, he coordinates technology for the entire team. In the land of prolific 5G cellular, tech coordination doesn’t look much different than in the U.S.A.

Picks of the week

Community feedback & events

Next time

Summer Tech Talks continue as we head west to check out a new Home Mission in North Dakota.

Get involved

Jesus is enough 708

708 – Truth In Love Ministries

This episode of WELSTech kicks off with news of a docuseries in development to reach ex-Mormons with the gospel message. We learn that the Christian Life Resources Convention is just a month away, plus picks of the week include Bible video resources and an important productivity tip. There’s also a call for distance English teachers which has outreach potential as well. We’re happy to join you are at the intersection of tech and ministry!

The discussion

Jesus is enough 708New docuseries – Pastor Mark Parsons from Truth in Love Ministries and Brian Urbanek from GoldWing Productions share details with Martin and Sallie about a new outreach effort to ex-Mormons which will feature a docuseries of videos titled Jesus is Enough.

Ministry resources

  • Christian Life Resources National Convention – October 14 @ Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School & livestream

Picks of the week

Community feedback & events

Next time

Educational technology takes the stage, featured our friends Jason and Rachel.

Get involved

599 – Yet Another Reason To Attend WELS EdTechLead

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:

  • Register for WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit
  • Book your room at the Kalahari

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:

597 – Summer STEM+

We’re gearing up for Summer on WELSTech as we talk with Kristin Knickelbein about Summer STEM+ Camp success. Also this week, get ready for MLC Day, but wait for a foldable phone; study your Bible and Catechism; plus, find out “who’s on first” pick this week!

The interview:

Reaching out with STEM – Teacher and Technology Director Kristin Knickelbein from St Mark, Eau Claire, WI organized and ran a successful summer STEM+ Camp  in 2018 (and plans to do it again this summer). She will be sharing her experience at WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit. She chats with Martin and Sallie about what attendees can expect in her EdTechLead sectional.

  • Register by May 1 for early-bird pricing!

News in tech:

Galaxy Fold screens are reportedly breaking already

WELS now:

Celebrate Martin Luther College – MLC Day is May 1

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Luther’s Small Catechism – Web | Android | iOS

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Preview the WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit fun!

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 594 – MLC Professor Rachel Feld joins the conversation as we continue our edtech book discussion of Faithfully Connected, looking at chapter 8 – Digital Health and Wellness.  Release date: Wednesday, May 1.

Get involved:

581 – An Interview with Eric Roecker

Merry Christmas to the WELSTech Community! Enjoy this week’s podcast as our tech-in-ministry gift to you.

The interview:

Pastor Eric Roecker, recently called to serve as Administrator of WELS Evangelism, chats with Martin and Sallie about his new responsibilities and the evangelism resources which are being planned.

Featured video:

President Schroeder’s 2018 Christmas Message

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 582 – We welcome 2019 with a look back at the best of 2018.  Release date: Tuesday, January 1.

Get involved:

500 – 500 … And Counting

This week we observe WELSTech’s milestone recording of episode 500 with a history making interview. For the first time in 9+ years, Martin and Sallie are in the interviewee chairs as Nicole Balza questions the WELSTech co-hosts about the show history and future. Pastor Mike Hinz also drops by to share information on WELS Daily Devotion. Let the celebration commence!

The anniversary celebration:

Together with WELSTech – The 500th episode of WELSTech is cause for celebration, including a refreshed website design thanks to webmaster Julie Duran, along with updated music and video imagery. There was even delicious cake shared at the Center for Mission and Ministry.

In the recording studio, episode 500 seemed like the perfect time to break new ground on WELSTech by having the interviewers (Martin and Sallie) become the interviewees. Nicole Balza, host of the Together and Heart to Heart video series, is in the driver’s seat and explores a bit of WELSTech history, the community that has grown around the show, favorite memories, and a look at the future of WELSTech.

The interview:

Reaching out with Daily Devotions – Pastor Mike Hintz, director of WELS Commission on Evangelism, shares the history of WELS Daily Devotions as well as a behind the scenes overview of production of the written and podcast versions of the devotions whose archives are over 3,900 strong and growing.

Featured video:

From the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo, enjoy Martin Luther College Choir’s performance of I Will Rise.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 501 – Join Martin and Sallie for the kickoff of the WELSTech summer focus on Ministry Resources. Release date: Wednesday, June 14.

Get involved:

Visitor Follow Up With Mailchimp Email Automation

Technology has provided many opportunities to improve visitor follow up in churches everywhere. From prospect/visitor databases to easy-to-download new resident lists to wonderful tools like Mailchimp, the Evangelism team at your church has a lot of options and tools available to them. Today I wanted to highlight one pastor’s approach to using one of the most useful features of Mailchimp — Automation.

Please be sure to watch the video below for all the details, but here are some of the reasons I think this “Rookie Preacher” has put together a great approach to visitor follow up through email.

  1. This method uses Mailchimp to send out five strategic emails to visitors over a one month period. The timing is important. Getting an email out the next day, then a few more during the week, and finally some a couple of weeks from the first visit seems like enough to keep your church in front of them, but not overwhelm them or make you appear too “pushy.”
  2. I like the use of a pastor’s welcome message as the main subject of the first email. It makes the contact a little more personal. If they view the video they hear a real person with a real message specifically for the visitor.
  3. The second email makes use of another technology from Survey Monkey. I think a great next contact after a warm welcome is a chance for them to react or respond to a short, non-threatening survey. You get good feedback and leave a positive message that you value what they have to say. You are making a rather sterile encounter more interactive.
  4. In later emails you have a chance to introduce some more personal opportunities for the visitor to connect with your members through invitations to Bible studies, small group studies, etc. Chances are the visitor didn’t make any strong personal connections after a worship service. But if your church has places where this is possible, that might be exactly what some are looking for. In this communication you can list some of those, perhaps with some personal testimonials that again make it more “friendly.”
  5. The fact that this is all automated will make this more feasible for some churches, especially if you have a lot of visitors. This of course may not take the place of personal follow up. But I can see this strategy as something to augment that. People are hard to reach these days. This may be the only contact you have with them.
  6. Mailchimp is such a great tool to consider. It is fairly inexpensive. It has great analytics, so you can tell if your efforts are paying off. And using a subscription service allows anyone to easily “unsubscribe” from any future communication, thus respecting their privacy if they wish to not hear from you again.

Again, be sure to watch the video. It is rather short, but informative and perhaps inspirational if you are looking to improve your visitor follow up.

See All Ministry Resources

Top Ten Reasons to visit WhatAboutJesus.com

Perhaps one of the unsung heros of all the WELS internet properties is www.whataboutjesus.com. It’s primary purpose is to answer that very question that many people ask…what about Jesus? Who is he? Was he real? Why should I believe in him? How will he change my life? If you are not familiar with the site, I’ve put together a little “top ten” list of why you might want to tag this site as one of your “go to” digital evangelism tools.

#1: It addresses many of the common questions a person might have about Christianity in general, and Jesus in specific.

#2: It will provide even the seasoned Christian with a refresher on core theological topics and help them be even better prepared to “give the reason for the hope that they have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

#3: It provides daily devotions that can be read, emailed, or listened to via podcast. And then shared of course!

#4: It provides worship helps that will prepare new and old Christians for worship the following Sunday by listing the common readings and brief questions and answers on each.

#5: It provides “catechetical” aids that cover things like the Apostles Creed, Communion, the Lord’s Prayer, and other key topics that can sometimes be confusing.

#6: It provides an easy way to submit a prayer request. These requests are then passed along to people who have volunteered to pray for you and the requests you have. Everything is kept very confidential.

#7: It provides biblical answers to the relevant questions someone might have today concerning life, friends, and society. This site is not a stodgy set of “theological truths” that are hard to read, little lone understand. This is relevant content!

#8: It provides Bible studies that can be used in many contexts. They include studies on John, Colossians, Romans, Great Chapters of the Bible, and significant people of the Bible.

#9: It’s design is fresh and mobile friendly.

#10: It has a name that is easy to remember and share… What About Jesus? .com! (i.e. www.whataboutjesus.com)

As you can see it has a wealth of resources and many uses. Bookmark the site and remember to share it with your Christian friends as well as those who are just beginning to ask… “what about Jesus?”

See All Ministry Resources

423 – You Can’t Forget Bob Ross!

WELSTech wraps up 2015’s community feedback with a lengthy list of notable sites, mobile apps and videos covering all types of ministry applications. There are special tech deals, news of a new STEM classroom, and church history resources shared as well. Let’s make some happy little clouds in our world!

The discussion:

Bob RossSpotlight the community – As we often say on WELSTech, we learn and grow our use of technology in ministry when listeners share their first-hand experience “with the class.” This episode is dedicated to just that as we share recent community feedback we’ve received from across our many WELSTech channels. And there’s a happy little waterfall happening over here!

News in tech:

WELS now:

Take the December WELSTech Photo Challenge! We’re looking for photos of Advent, Christmas and John 1:9. Submit your entries at welstech.wels.net/photochallenge, and don’t forget to browse our public domain image album at bit.ly/wtchallengealbumIn life you need colors!

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Featured video:

Enjoy the Advent music of WELS artist Mike Westendorf as he sings In the Waiting – Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel from the WELSTech Music YouTube Playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 424 – Tune in for our special Christmas week interview with Pastor Paul Prange, Administrator of WELS Ministerial Education. Trees get lonely too, so we’ll give him a little friend! Release date: Wednesday, December 23

Get involved: