Today on WELSTech we look at online, collaborative solutions for managing member and prospective member information. Sallie kicks off her very own picks of the week series geared at summer vacation, and we debut a brand new promo video for the upcoming WELSTech Camp event. All that, and the answer to your burning questions about Martin’s jet lag as well!

Software to manage your church – Keeping up with information about members and prospective members can be a huge job for church pastors, secretaries and volunteers. Now many software solutions are moving to the cloud for online sharing or data updates and inquiries. Martin and Sallie discuss a variety of considerations including, most importantly, security of your data.

(10:29) Church in the cloud – Peter Frank, Manager of Concordia Technology Solutions, talks with Martin and Sallie about one of their newest products, Church360: Members, a full-featured online church membership database. Watch for a look inside a demo installation.

(30:39) Google+ gets a feature-packaged redesign – Tips for navigating the new Google+ stream

(43:51) We hope you enjoy our promo video for the first ever WELSTech Camp unconference.  Join us September 14th at Martin Luther College. For details and tickets for this free day, visit our event wiki.

(49:11) Episode 290 – What’s on your learning bucket list? Tune in next week as Martin, Sallie and guest host Jason Schmidt share ideas for kicking that particular bucket (list). (Release date – 05/28/13)

(50:01) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Psalm 46

This week’s WELSTech Podcast spans the globe as Martin joins us from the future, 13 hours ahead in Hong Kong! We feature a wrap up of the Presentation Zen book discussion and a new “Listener Review” segment. Martin also shares his thoughts on his Windows Surface Pro tablet, which he deemed worthy of making the trip to Hong Kong.

How engaging! – Martin and Sallie reach the conclusion of our latest book discussion, Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds (garrreynolds.com | @presentationzen), with a look at techniques for engaging your audience including getting rid of barriers, having the right equipment and keeping it real.

(19:40) This week we introduce a new feature on WELSTech … Listener Reviews.

(45:30) Episode 289 – Martin and Sallie talk with Peter Frank from Concordia Technology Solutions about the online member database Church 360. (Release date – 05/21/13)

(46:46) We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – Holy Holy Holy

Since it’s confirmation season, today’s WELSTech focus is keeping teens connected to the Word, and we look at ways technology may be able to assist. We also talk with Brandon Steenbock, who is serving “in the trenches” when it comes to youth ministry. There’s Google news, missionary videos and much more packed into this episode.

Relationships and Connections – Today’s youth are more plugged in than any previous generation, but before you connect in a digital fashion with them, it’s important to establish a face-to-face relationship. Martin and Sallie share ideas for making digital connections and keeping your communication safe.

(8:36) Not Just an Event Organizer – Brandon Steenbock, Youth and Family Minister at St. Paul’s in New Ulm, MN, shares his experience with Martin and Sallie. From polling youth about their preferred communication channel (Facebook, Text or E-mail) to sharing video clips as discussion starters to engaging youth in summer mission trips, Brandon has had a variety of success in connecting with youth in his congregation.

(26:30) Bible Challenge from Back to the Bible

(37:03) Check out the schedule of upcoming live streamed events including Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Martin Luther College graduation activities

(49:27) Episode 288 – This year’s book discussion of Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds wraps up next week as we look at chapters 10 and 11 of the book. (Release date – 05/14/13)

(50:03) We close the podcast with the music of  Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Four To Go

On this edition of WELSTech, we take a look back at some tech achievements in the 2012-13 school year, and we learn about a new resource web site for Lutheran teachers and administrators. Listen for a special discount on the upcoming Google Education Summit and a recap of the recent crowd-writing event sponsored by the Christ In Media Institute.

Year End Assessment – Gail Potratz, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents from Emanuel in New London, WI shares highlights of the 2012-13 school year in terms of tech accomplishments. It’s no surprise that she has good things to say about her Google Apps and Chromebooks pilot program that was implemented this year. She also shares a flipped classroom method using the Explain everything iPad app which she says has become the standard production method in her school.

(23:39) Lutheran Schools Resources – Director of Lutheran Schools, Greg Schmill, and teacher Matt Groth from St. Paul’s in Saginaw, MI debut the recently redesigned Lutheran Schools web site which is loaded with great resources to address all types of teacher and administrator needs. The site also supports the ability for users to share files with others, so look for the site to grow as more WELS teachers begin to use it and share their own resources.

(52:47) Christ In Media Institute (CIMI) sponsored a crowd-writing event on April 29 to kick off the Bethany Lutheran College Media Week events. WELSTech friend, Jas Lonnquist, moderated the discussion. The Christian sci-fi premise was released in advance of the event and the discussion continues on the CIMI forums. You can still be part of the development of a future TV or Web broadcast.

(1:01:22) Episode 287 – Confirmation season is upon us so our WELSTech discussion turns to keeping teens connected to God’s Word, including ways technology can help. Staff minister Brandon Steenbock joins Martin and Sallie to share his experience. (Release date – 05/07/13)

(1:02:10) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – Flowers Are Dancing

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we share ideas for successfully (and slowly) introducing tech in your congregation. We also share lots of new WELSTech goodies – from Twitter to Facebook to our very own Resources page. And we have something in our listener feedback mailbag for everyone. Keep calm and listen to WELSTech!

(3:47) Slow and Steady – Are you ready to go digital with your church newsletter or add a projection screen in your sanctuary? On today’s WELSTech Martin and Sallie talk with Pastor Steve Schamber and Jason Petoskey from Holy Trinity in Wyoming, MI about their success with collaborative worship presentations. We also discuss ways to implement all types of tech in your congregation.

(40:53) Happy World Book Night 2013

(1:15:29) Episode 286 – Next week Gail Potratz, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents, joins the conversation with Martin and Sallie to take a look at the waning school year from an ed tech perspective – what worked and what didn’t in the 2012-13 classroom. (Release date – 04/30/13)

(1:16:16) This week we close the podcast with the music of Kevin Loersch – Love Beyond All Telling

On this edition of WELSTech, we discuss ideas and examples of digital outreach web sites, podcasts, video channels and e-news including the Bread For Beggars site started in the WELS South Atlantic District. It may be our longest episode ever, but you’ll want to hang on for all the picks, WELS.net features and community feedback goodness we’ve packed into this show!

Niche Evangelism – Going beyond traditional church web sites, many people are using creative digital content to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ. Martin and Sallie take a whirl-wind tour of specialized digital ministry efforts across the web and discuss tools and channels you can use for your own outreach as part of congregation efforts or on a personal level.

(25:06) The Bread of Life – Pastor Mark Parsons from Christ the King in Port Charlotte, FL and Matt Visaggio talk with Martin and Sallie about the web site Bread for Beggars, an outreach focused site started in WELS South Atlantic District.

(53:53) Check out WELS’ brand new Spanish outreach site, El Mensajero Luterano

(56:25) Register online to attend the first WELSTech Camp, a free un-conference coming up September 14 at Martin Luther College. Check out the link for all the details including a Friday night meet-up and deals on hotels in the area.

(1:14:38) Episode 285 – Next week Martin and Sallie will explore ideas to introduce technology in your congregation and talk with Pastor Steve Schamber and Jason Petoskey about the use of Logos Proclaim for worship projection at Holy Trinity in Wyoming, MI. (Release date – 04/23/13)

(1:15:39) We close today’s WELSTech with the music of Joey Schumann and the Lutheran Ceili Orchestra (JoeySchumann.com | Joey on Facebook) – Christ Be Beside Me

Today on the WELSTech Podcast we continue our Presentation Zen book discussion with a dive into the chapter 9 topic, audience engagement. We also take a look at a brand new ministry resource as Martin demos the Who Is Jesus? iBook, and we catch up on lots of great listener feedback.

Dull presentations forbidden – Leading off with an e-mail message from Presentation Zen author, Garr Reynolds (garrreynolds.com | @presentationzen), Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 9 of the book which focuses on the important skill of connecting with your audience during a presentation. Listen for the secret weapons they use to engage their audience.

(15:22) Who is Jesus? iBook

(42:27) Episode 284 – Pastor Mark Parsons and Matt Visaggio share their work on BreadForBeggars.com, and we consider other specialty ministry sites. (Release date – 04/16/13)

(44:19) We close with the music of WELS musician and staff minister Benhur Khamrang (Reverbnation) – Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly

Today’s WELSTech Podcast covers ways to use your mobile photo or tablet photography in ministry. We also talk with designer Corissa Nelson about ways she lets her light shine through her online business, image donations to WELS and design work for her local congregation.

The best camera … – Martin and Sallie talk about the meteoric rise in prevalence of “pocketography” – using cameras on smartphones and tablets to easily capture and share images – and ways which these cameras can aid the work of churches, schools and individuals.

(19:50) Letting Her Light Shine Through Art – Corissa Nelson, member of Our Savior in Grafton, WI, talks with Martin and Sallie about her design business and the ways she uses her gifts to God’s glory in her church, the synod and beyond.

(33:40) Grace Lutheran principal Peter Iles garners Google’s attention

(40:57) WELSTech Camp will run from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM and plans are for 4 one-hour discussion time slots plus lunch, snacks and giveaways. Join the conversation on September 14 at Martin Luther College!

(45:02) Episode 283 – Connecting with an audience is important to any public speaker and the topic of next week’s podcast discussion as we continue reviewing Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds. (Release date – 04/09/13)

(45:50) We close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com|Facebook) – This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

This week on WELSTech we welcome one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents, Jason Schmidt, and we share video resources for the classroom. There’s also a special announcement about an upcoming event which you won’t want to miss!

Video in K-12 – Martin and Sallie, along with guest host Jason Schmidt from Bennington ISD near Omaha, NE, talk about the many video resources for K-12 education available on the web, including several that are part of WELS Lutheran Schools annual subscription option.

(46:23) Episode 282 – Tune in next week for our interview with designer Corissa Nelson and a discussion of mobile photography. (Release date – 04/02/13)

(47:20) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Empty Grave

This week the WELSTech Podcast says goodbye to two favorites; the NIV 84 Bible translation is no longer available digitally and Google announced they will be shuttering Google Reader on July 1. We look at what’s available to fill the gap these two great tools leave behind.

(3:40) Pastor Jon Schroeder from Faith in Sharpsburg, GA and a member of the Translation Feasibility Study group talks with Martin and Sallie about Bible translations, including what choices the online/digital Bible reader has today.

(30:08) My Sunday Solutions

(32:52) Google Reader is Going Away July 1 – Alternatives:

(53:40) Episode 281 – Next week Jason Schmidt, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents, joins the conversation with Martin and Sallie to talk about classroom video sites. (Release date – 03/26/13)

(54:18) We  close the podcast with the music of Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook) – Where I Belong