WELSTech Audio
WELSTech explores the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
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736 – Desk Talk
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2024/10/25/736-desk-talk/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>On WELSTech this week we talk about the tech at our fingertips as we reveal our office setups. Additionally, we share gift ideas for welcoming church visitors and new members, an overview of the latest version of Logos which introduces AI into the Bible software, and where to find that wonderful smell of leather.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Desk setup – Martin and Sallie share their workspaces and highlight their favorite tools for getting work done.</p> <p><a href="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241017-Martins-desk-scaled.jpeg" rel="nofollow">Martin’s work desk</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015H5MDIO" rel="nofollow">Standing desk</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHFS9K14" rel="nofollow">SSD backup</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK2D3AM/A/magic-trackpad-white-multi-touch-surface" rel="nofollow">Apple Magic Trackpad</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B07NY9ZT92" rel="nofollow">Logitech G915 keyboard</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/computer-monitors/ar/8605" rel="nofollow">Dell monitor</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB5MBZ9" rel="nofollow">Magnetic cord holder</a></li> <li><a href="https://lumecube.com/products/edge-light-2-0-black-led-desk-lamp" rel="nofollow">Lamp</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241017-Sallies-Desk.jpg" rel="nofollow">Sallie’s work-from-hone desk</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-K380-Multi-Device-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B0148NPH9I/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2DJM4YFWGFNEY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uxQBC6JCAWNcHC_Qr5wpF9Vs3-CwpG1mw6i2wL_PjGd0_bY6TdZLCu7AVqE0yrLJ6C1HO_zOJnyDwAzY2F_LEQQJzefff40ZVL-lDT_l1k4tynqmKI5AsaYZlnlnDLc6K50OCw2-DxPECI7G9Mi72d4l_enF3bOfg8N-zGE8P3JLHbwAT6invN0k2Cn_6_fr7FToAGUOUxVxPQp0iWVpT67xs2m3Nrnhsq_j2HYFQr8ZOzKBQQEZRMDw9spOnGXDIUMTxmkuBTrrfJo5nLRNZwrGSNboPS9dpfcEy95NiyI.Ai9eJj1dn8o8AJWrdtue2qgLO_QqwlgQcnyyU46-LAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=logitech+k380+wireless+keyboard&qid=1729872903&s=electronics&sprefix=logitech+k380+wireless+keyboard%2Celectronics%2C114&sr=1-4" rel="nofollow">Logitech K380 keyboard</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Limited-Receiver-Portable/dp/B0CJTFZPQJ/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SEapoWNTULq-TGyH-PJOAj5sTJlij3WSalL00BQxMhhKYgkIraJCe6fURzmQfRlHfR9bN03ku1dfzyPb5EC20M3Ey3Pj5fk5a6ktNDbI6x5VXQoRix11lsZtV59gZDw_bZUa9viVgEjhXqS3CPLUhlPIpFL9NBEzKRTx2LQQNlvR8Whxvq7klcLyA5gXMY6OIaZmTfVH8QSho8ah-RCqVk15zFu85SvR4Il9c0zhLLrzqKhwghMiKOPI6FgkGa3B4sG97JExPIM2a8rD4W64ewEX_aAEJYH9kPkOyXnlf4o.MgT39hEQfEJhybgGhdVbLtNzbFmmy1gbqHgW3nFBn9Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=m340+mouse&qid=1729872795&refinements=p_123%3A213704&rnid=85457740011&s=electronics&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">Logitech M340 silent mouse</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NXR9R22/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1" rel="nofollow">Laptop stand</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CKMP34S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1" rel="nofollow">Purple Royal seat cushion</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/MartinHome-scaled.jpeg" rel="nofollow">Martin’s work-from-home desk</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XTD5C7H" rel="nofollow">Monitor</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B826KS4B" rel="nofollow">Webcam</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L8MLTGS" rel="nofollow">Moniter arm</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.potterybarn.com/products/architects-usb-task-table-lamp-21/" rel="nofollow">Desk lamp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/alex-drawer-unit-black-brown-60473548" rel="nofollow">Drawers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Hampton-Bay-5-ft-L-x-30-in-D-Finished-Engineered-Birch-Butcher-Block-Desktop-Countertop-PWBRAB387621524/318686505" rel="nofollow">Desktop</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Design-mStand-Laptop-Patented/dp/B01F01DRW6" rel="nofollow">Computer stand</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HSEZK78" rel="nofollow">Chair</a> & <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G643EU6" rel="nofollow">chair wheels</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q5W52DT" rel="nofollow">Cable management</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/hls-pr40?seid=dxese2" rel="nofollow">Microphone</a> & <a href="https://heilsound.com/product/pl2t/" rel="nofollow">microphone arm</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK293LL/A/magic-keyboard-with-touch-id-for-mac-models-with-apple-silicon-us-english" rel="nofollow">Keyboard</a></li> </ul> Ministry resources <ul> <li><a href="https://reachrightstudios.com/blog/church-welcome-gifts/" rel="nofollow">16 Unique and Thoughtful Church Welcome Gifts</a></li> <li><a href="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/stPaulGuest.jpg" rel="nofollow">Guest gift table</a> at <a href="https://www.stpaulsnorthmankato.com/" rel="nofollow">St Paul’s, North Mankato, MN</a></li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li>Windows/Start + V for Copy history on PCs</li> <li><a href="https://www.pandora.com/" rel="nofollow">Pandora</a> background music for your workday</li> <li><a href="https://help.nomadgoods.com/en-US/magnetic-leather-back-408856" rel="nofollow">Nomad Magnetic Leather Back</a> for iPhone</li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li><a href="https://wels.net/event/wels-national-teen-bible-study-2/" rel="nofollow">WELS National Teen Bible Study</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gML345TT8SA" rel="nofollow">The latest iteration of Logos Bible Software</a></li> </ul> Next time <p>Dr. James Carlovsky from Martin Luther College joins the AI conversation.</p> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> X conversation</li> <li>Follow us on X – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>729 – Summer Tech Talks – Ben Workentine
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2024/07/18/729-summer-tech-talks-ben-workentine/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>Welcome to WELSTech! This episode focuses on our triple citizenship, in heaven, on this earth, and now, in a digital world. Pastor Ben Workentine shares thoughts for the Christian living in an increasingly opinionated and unfiltered digital world. We also report details on our latest hardware, print on demand, and church texting finds.</p> <p></p> The discussion & interview <p>The mic is live – Joining Martin and Sallie this week is Pastor Ben Workentine from <a href="https://stmarkministries.com/" rel="nofollow">St. Mark Lutheran Church</a> in Green Bay and De Pere, WI. Pastor Workentine presented a paper on the topic of digital citizenship at the recent Northern Wisconsin District Convention and shares highlights from the paper with the WELSTech audience. Spoiler alert: Your audience is the world while you live your digital life as Christ’s ambassador.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://welstech.blob.core.windows.net/audio/Tech%20documents/Digital-Citizenship.pdf" rel="nofollow"><em>Digital Citizenship</em></a> (PDF) – by Pastor Ben Workentine</li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18XH5shOcYjh8KdttclQm52uHp4MdTIqA5EJ1dZFKuO0/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">Sallie’s Summer PD Bingo Board</a> from Ditch That Textbook <ul> <li><a href="https://printify.com/" rel="nofollow">Printify</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/" rel="nofollow">Apple Air Pods Pro</a></li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li>Pastor Dan Sprain from <a href="http://www.sotvonline.com/" rel="nofollow">Shepherd of the Valley</a> in West Fargo, North Dakota shared <a href="https://www.gloo.us/" rel="nofollow">Gloo</a> – Free texting for churches</li> </ul> Next time <p>Were back with more of our Summer Tech Talks series. What ministry tech goodness will we uncover next?</p> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> X conversation</li> <li>Follow us on X – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>751 – Making Music with AI
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/05/28/751-making-music-with-ai/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>This episode of WELSTech features an interview with Pastor Nate Seiltz who recently creating 3 albums of music without singing or playing a note himself. With AI at his fingertips, he transformed his ideas for gospel outreach music into reality, and you can to! We also share survey results regarding church use of AI, a handy (AI-generated) summary of recent tech news with an emphasis on its impact on the church, and ideas for using AI to extend the impact of your weekly sermon.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Music for outreach – Pastor Nate Seiltz, Director of WELS Multi-Language Publications, talked with Martin and Sallie about his recent AI-assisted production of 3 albums of songs geared toward sharing the good news of salvation in Christ. His artist name is Freetide. <span><span>“Free” because grace is free, and he is free from sin and eternal death in Christ. “Tide” signifies movement, the Holy Spirit’s work in him through His Word and movement in his life as he lives by grace.</span></span></p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Made New</em></strong> (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6776cNbwCnLsVlcG6qJSH6?si=mMcInYVdTxWAb9Deb9bHiQ" rel="nofollow">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F6Y3BF3M?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_v1ZC0eK4cFaNJHDfgtTZuQ510" rel="nofollow">Amazon Music</a>) – <span><span>These songs walk through the darkness of doubt, the fire of trials, and the ache of waiting—but they lead to grace, healing, and freedom. With honest lyrics and uplifting melodies, </span></span><span><span>Made New</span></span><span><span> is a declaration of what God does with the broken: He restores. He renews. He makes us new.</span></span></li> <li><span><em><strong>Fruits of the Spirit</strong></em> (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5SyVASHVNPFLoiZXhVnFxM?si=GUGILa-ERxeSK9rrN-_zkQ" rel="nofollow">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F6YCN7YY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_tuGBGrfOjKj2wCUrArDaeBLny" rel="nofollow">Amazon Music</a>) – <span><span>These nine songs walk through each fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23, reflecting on how they each take root in real life.</span></span><span> </span></span></li> <li><em><strong>Living Proof</strong></em> (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4JPFX408H2mC5pnqmKND1r" rel="nofollow">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F73VBR23" rel="nofollow">Amazon Music</a>) – <span><span>From first steps into grace to standing fearless in Christ, these songs tell a true story — of scars healed, chains broken, hope renewed. We are not who we were. We are living proof that mercy is real, and grace still wins.</span></span></li> <li><a href="https://suno.com" rel="nofollow">Suno.com</a></li> </ul> Ministry resource <ul> <li><a href="https://churchtechtoday.com/state-of-ai-in-the-church-survey-2024/" rel="nofollow">Key insights from the 2024 National State of AI in the Church survey results</a> by Church Tech Today</li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O59e32l6kTs2tYTVVVF6pYkROFPEAiBhTk989rz5-FE/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">Recent church tech ideas from Kim Komando, summarized by Google Gemini</a></li> <li>Sun Seeker app – <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sun-seeker-sunlight-tracker/id330247123" rel="nofollow">iOS</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ajnaware.sunseeker&hl=en_US" rel="nofollow">Android</a></li> </ul> Community feedback <ul> <li>Sign up for Concordia Technology Solutions webinar series – Tuesday, June 3, 2025 <ul> <li>Church Members 360 – 10 am CT</li> <li>Church Ledger 360 – 11:30 am CT</li> <li>Church Unite 360 – 1 pm CT</li> </ul> </li> <li>Turn one sermon into a week of discipleship – Facebook post from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/WELS.Intersections" rel="nofollow">WELS Intersections</a></li> </ul> <p></p> Next time <ul> <li>Our 2025 Summer series – Tips & Tricks – kicks off.</li> </ul> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>731 – Summer Tech Talks – Joel Zank
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2024/08/15/731-summer-tech-talks-joel-zank/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>On this episode of WELSTech … we conclude our Summer Tech Talks series with an interesting interview of District President Joel Zank about the technology in use by WELS Conference of Presidents. We also share image editing, student reflection, browser, robotics, and transcription tools to make your days easier and more efficient. Join us today at the intersection of ministry and technology!</p> <p></p> The discussion & interview <p>The finale – Wrapping up the WELSTech Summer Tech Talks series is Northern Wisconsin District President Pastor Joel Zank from <a href="https://mountoliveappleton.com/" rel="nofollow">Mount Olive Lutheran Church</a> in Appleton, WI. He and Martin discuss the technology that assists the work of WELS Conference of Presidents as they oversee the call process for pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.</p> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18XH5shOcYjh8KdttclQm52uHp4MdTIqA5EJ1dZFKuO0/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">BINGO</a> – Sallie’s summer of professional development is complete <ul> <li><a href="https://www.canva.com/" rel="nofollow">Canva Pro</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.swivl.com/prioritize-reflection-pd/" rel="nofollow">Mirror</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/features?exp=e00&form=MA13FJ" rel="nofollow">Microsoft Edge</a></li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li><a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/" rel="nofollow">First Robotics</a> – <a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/community/free-education-resources" rel="nofollow">New robotics curriculum for grades 7-12</a></li> <li><a href="https://thewh1teagle.github.io/vibe/" rel="nofollow">Vibe!</a> – AI for transcription <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXYiJW8llXc" rel="nofollow">Overview video</a></li> <li><a href="https://welstech.wels.net/sample-vibe-ai-generated-transcript-of-welstech-731/" rel="nofollow">Check out the results</a> of Vibe! transcribing and AI summarizing this episode of WELSTech</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Next time <p>We start a new season with volunteer management ideas.</p> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> X conversation</li> <li>Follow us on X – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>