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).
All Episodes
752 – Healthy Church Staff Communication
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/06/12/752-healthy-church-staff-communication/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>Welcome to WELSTech summer series 2025! Join us as we talk about practical tips and tricks to make public and personal ministry efficient and effective. The series kickoff focus is church office communication. Martin and Sallie share AI picks of the week, and there’s a Chromebook discussion thread in the WELSTech Google group.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Church Staff Communication – Martin and Sallie chat about tools, etiquette, and standards around church staff communication. In-person or digital, response expectations, and collaboration are all pieces of the communication puzzle. Having best practices in place makes for smooth office operations.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://resources.concordiatechnology.org/resource-center/maintaining-healthy-church-staff-communication-with-technology" rel="nofollow">Maintaining Healthy Church Staff Communication with Technology</a> from Concordia Technology Solutions</li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://www.commonsense.org/education/AI-toolkit-for-school-districts" rel="nofollow">AI Toolkit for Schools</a> from Common Sense Media <ul> <li>Education Week article – <a href="https://www.edweek.org/technology/putting-ai-to-work-in-schools-is-difficult-a-new-toolkit-outlines-how-to-do-it/2025/06" rel="nofollow">Putting AI to work in schools is difficult. A new toolkit outlines how to do it.</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://notebooklm.google/" rel="nofollow">Notebook LM App</a></li> <li><a href="https://labs.google.com/search/experiment/22" rel="nofollow">Google AI mode</a></li> </ul> Community feedback & events <p>From the <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech" rel="nofollow">WELSTech Google group</a> – Teacher Michael Vlieger from Risen Savior in Mankato, MN asked about <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech/c/yQIC0hE7C8s" rel="nofollow"><strong>Chromebook repurposing</strong></a> after</p> Next time <p>Come back for our next tips & tricks summer installment</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>753 – Make Announcements Matter
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/06/26/753-announcing/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>This week on WELSTech we reveal ways to write church announcements which get the word out on needed topics without being ignored by those you’re trying to reach. AI weaves itself throughout the conversation from personalized AI in picks of the week, an overview of the AI for Education site, and new rules around AI for Google students of all ages. Plus, Android users will be happy to interact with their text messages from their computer.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Announcing … – Martin and Sallie discuss challenges that crop up when writing church announcements and guidelines that keep your announcements concise and action driven.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.concordiatechnology.org/blog/how-to-write-church-announcements-that-people-actually-read" rel="nofollow">Writing Church Announcements People Actually Read</a> from Concordia Technology Solutions</li> <li><a href="https://welstech.blob.core.windows.net/audio/Tech%20documents/StPaulsNewsAndNotes.pdf" rel="nofollow">Sample weekly announcements</a> from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Mankato, MN</li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://lifehacker.com/tech/saved-info-google-gemini" rel="nofollow">‘Saved Info’ is Gemini’s Hidden Superpower</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7611075?visit_id=638864730088627204-2999679496&p=web_computer&rd=1" rel="nofollow">Google Messages on the Web</a></li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li><a href="https://www.aiforeducation.io/" rel="nofollow">AI for Education</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.google.com/a/answer/16309563" rel="nofollow">Google Gemini and Notebook LM for all ages</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://k12techpro.com/should-your-school-enable-googles-gemini-and-notebooklm/" rel="nofollow">Should your school enable them?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/googles-gemini-ai-will-soon-be-accessible-to-kids-under-13-heres-how-that-could-look" rel="nofollow">Here’s how that could look</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Next time <p>Come back for our next tips & tricks summer installment</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>743 – The Anxious Generation
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/01/30/743-the-anxious-generation/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>On this episode of WELSTech, the edtech guest hosts are back with more SAMR and how it supports budget and procurement decisions. Should 1:1 computing continue in all classrooms? Plus, there’s lots more covered in the ministry resources, picks, and community feedback sections of the show.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Remember that haircutting game? – WELSTech welcomes back Prof. Rachel Renno, Director of Academic Computing for <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu" rel="nofollow">Martin Luther College</a>, and Jason Schmidt, Director of Technology for <a href="https://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/" rel="nofollow">Oshkosh (WI) Area School District</a>. This season our edtech discussions are in terms of the <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/powerful-model-understanding-good-tech-integration" rel="nofollow">SAMR framework for education technology integration</a>, and the important topics of budgeting and procurement have a tie to SAMR as well. Five-years post Covid and the necessity to adopt the 1:1 computing which ensued, decisions today are supported by the progression (or lack of progression) up the SAMR scale.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036" rel="nofollow"><em>The Anxious Generation</em></a> by Jonathan Haidt</li> </ul> Ministry resource <ul> <li><a href="https://www.fcc.gov/general/e-rate-schools-libraries-usf-program" rel="nofollow">Guidance for the Federal E-Rate Program</a></li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elevating-Educational-Design-Accessible-Inclusive/dp/1948334771" rel="nofollow"><em>Elevating Educational Design with AI</em></a> by Catlin Tucker and Katie Novak</li> <li><a href="https://learning.google.com/experiments/learn-about/signup" rel="nofollow">Google Learn About</a></li> <li><em>Christ Begins</em> by Luke Thompson – Christian Worship Hymn 385 <ul> <li><a href="https://youtu.be/pHyjeng6FKM" rel="nofollow">Lyric video from Mount Lebanon Lutheran Church</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://blog.youversion.com/2022/12/introducing-daily-refresh/" rel="nofollow">Daily Refresh</a> in the <a href="https://www.bible.com/" rel="nofollow">Bible App</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Technique/dp/3982438802" rel="nofollow"><em>How To Take Smart Notes</em></a> by Sonke Ahrens</li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li>Register for Church360° webinars from Concordia Technology Soulutions, scheduled for February 4 <ul> <li><a href="https://www.concordiatechnology.org/church360/members/overview/webinars/02/2025" rel="nofollow">Members</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.concordiatechnology.org/church360/ledger/overview/webinar/02/2025" rel="nofollow">Ledger</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.concordiatechnology.org/church360/unite/overview/webinars/02/2025" rel="nofollow">Unite</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Christ Hunt at <a href="https://wels.net/bdjtech-2/" rel="nofollow">BDJ Tech</a> can supply church and school interactive panels</li> </ul> Next time <ul> <li>Thoughts regarding Artificial Intelligence in ministry from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Jon Pederson</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>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>