WELSTech Audio

In this episode of WELSTech, titled "Sprinkles and Shortlinks," I join co-host Sally Draper to explore the evolving landscape of church communications. We discuss the importance of bridging printed materials with digital resources, focusing on the effective use of URL shorteners and QR codes. These tools can enhance engagement and streamline access to online content, making it easier for congregants to connect with your ministry. We also share personal anecdotes, highlighting practical applications of these technologies within church settings. Join us as we uncover tips and best practices for leveraging technology to foster communication and community in your church.

What if your AI assistant already knew your school handbook, your church's mission statement, your newsletter archives — and you never had to explain any of it again? That's the promise of AI workspaces, and in this episode Martin and Sallie break down how to put them to work in a ministry setting. The "big four" AI platforms — Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot — all offer some version of a persistent workspace where you can load documents, set instructions, and give your AI a running head start. Claude calls them Projects, Gemini calls them Gems, and Copilot offers Notebooks. Martin walks through how he uses these tools for WELSTech production, the WELS AI Task Force, the WELS strategic plan, and even Lutheran theology — and shares a memorable analogy: it's the difference between a substitute teacher and the one who built the lesson plans and knows the students. Practical use cases explored include principals loading staff handbooks and curriculum, pastors uploading text studies and constitution documents, and church council leaders organizing strategic planning materials. Sallie adds her own example using Copilot agents for data reporting with SQL — no more re-explaining context every time. The conversation wraps up with honest cautions: workspaces aren't set-it-and-forget-it, AI can still hallucinate, and human discernment remains essential. Sallie reminds listeners that a great companion document to any AI workspace you set up is the WELS AI Ethical Framework. Ministry Resource: The WELS AI Task Force has published an AI Ethical Framework, a Stewardship and Risk Assessment, and a Survey Summary — all available at welstech.wels.net/ai/. A feedback form is open for your input on these documents. Picks of the Week: Sallie: Epson EcoTank printer (model ET-2800) — nearly 3,000 prints on the original ink bottles, easy refills, and dramatically lower cost than cartridge printers Martin: Markdown Viewer (Chrome/Edge extension) — drag any .MD file into your browser and see it beautifully formatted, no extra software needed Community Feedback: The Center for Apologetics and Worldviews (ELS) is hosting their 8th Annual Summer Meetup on June 24–25 at Bethany Lutheran College, focused entirely on artificial intelligence and the Christian faith. Registration is free; a $10 lunch donation is suggested. Coming Up: WELSTech is moving to a new platform, and the show notes will also be available at welstech.wels.org. Stay tuned for updates! � welstech@wels.net | � welstech.wels.net WELSTech is the official technology podcast of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, exploring the intersection of technology and ministry since 2008.

What if your AI assistant already knew your school handbook, your church’s mission statement, your newsletter archives — and you never had to explain any of it again? That’s the promise of AI workspaces, and in this episode Martin and Sallie break down how to put them to work in a ministry setting. The discussion AI workspaces – Gone are the days when you have to start every AI prompt with a lengthy list of background information to ensure proper context in your results. Martin and Sallie compare four AI companions and consider uses in ministry settings. Anthropic Claude ProjectsHelpOpenAI ChatGPT ProjectsHelpGoogle Gemini GemsGet startedNotebooksAgentsTool Comparison Ministry Resource WELSTech AI resources – welstech.wels.net/ai PDFGoogle DocsPDFGoogle DocsShare your feedback Picks of the week EcoTank 2800CEEBOO 522Markdown Viewer Chrome extensionEdge Community feedback 2026 Apologetics and Worldview Conference Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

Tune in to this episode of WELSTech for a lively discussion on right-sizing technology for the classroom. Our friends Jason and Rachel are back with a rubric utility, Adobe free education resources, and a sprinkling of AI as well. You’ll be shouting “BINGO!” before you know it! The discussion Has education gone too far with technology? Martin and Sallie are joined by Dr. Rachel Renno from Martin Luther College and Jason Schmidt from Oshkosh ISD to discuss the growing backlash against over-digitization in classrooms. Drawing on Jared Cooney Horvath’s The Digital Delusion, we explore how COVID accelerated tech adoption and why some are now calling for a return to fundamentals. Ministry resource National Teen Bible Study – Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 pm Central Picks of the week BestRubrics.comAdobe Podcastfree for educationBingoBaker.comHow To Take Smart NotesSummary by Claude AI Community feedback AI Literacy in Any Class Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

Welcome back to WELSTech, a conversation at the intersection of ministry and technology for over 18 years! Today we look at the newly released Artificial Intelligence Ethical Framework and Risk Matrix. Martin has a free diagramming tool while Sallie shares an affordable new Apple laptop. Plus the community feedback segment includes news of Gen Z returning to religion. The discussion AI Support – Martin shares a preliminary look at the latest releases from WELS AI Task Force – the AI Ethical Framework (PDF | Google Docs) and AI Risk Matrix (PDF | Google Docs) documents. Find these resources and more on the WELSTech AI page – welstech.wels.net/ai. Share your feedback Picks of the week Apple MacBook NeoExcalidrawGitHub Community feedback Grace Ungemach’s “Brand Direction” Canva templateWhy Gen Z is returning to religionChurch 360 Ledger end of like is 6/1/2026 Next time Tune in for a timely edtech discussion with Rachel Renno and Jason Schmidt Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

It’s time for WELSTech 770, your bi-weekly dive into ministry and technology topics of the day. And today the conversation centers around tech to assist with managing a strategic plan. Also in this episode, learn more about the upcoming Taste of Missions event and a helpful new iOS app. Plus, get the “skinny” on Sallie’s hardware pick of the week. The discussion Working the Plan – Explore how Trello supports managing and communicating progress on a strategic plan. Martin shares WELS strategic plan in Trello, showing how color‑coded cards and cross‑linked resource boards enable clear, visual tracking of key objectives. Christ Through UsDetailsApplyWELSTech sample Trello board Ministry resource Taste of Missions – June 13 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary School ChallengePoster Contest Picks of the week iPhone AiriOS Preview app Community feedback Ryan Kirchoff’s latest blog post at Blueprint Schools is a great follow up to our recent interview Next time Hear an update from WELS AI Task Force regarding their work on an AI Ethical Framework and Risk Matrix Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

This episode of WELSTech features an interview with Ryan Kirchoff where he shares an overview of his recent Leadership Conference presentation on our favorite topic – Artificial Intelligence. Are You an Influencer is the topic of an upcoming webinar. Sallie has a new favorite song, and Martin has a new favorite gadget. Which one will be your favorite? The discussion Assist versus lead – Instructional coordinator and consultant Ryan Kirchoff shares highlights from his recent WELS Leadership Conference session on AI and the Church (presentation resource). Since late-2022 when AI was first shared, Ryan’s work at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and with Blueprint-Schools.com has taken on an element of educating others about what and how AI can serve ministry. AI for Impact Ministry resource You Are an Influencer webinarSt. John Lutheran SchoolChristmas coloring book Picks of the week Now Rest Beneath Night’s ShadowKeySmart SmartCard Community feedback PBX is all the talkWELSTech Google Group Next time Managing a strategic plan with Trello Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

Tune into this episode of WELSTech for a master class in herding cats as we navigate a lively discussion of the MLC degree and certificate offerings for technology directors. There’s also a broad range of picks of the week, Martin’s Screens and Souls presentation from Leadership Conference, and some free Google training to discuss. The discussion Technology director – Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular edtech co-hosts, Dr. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt, along with yet another friend in the ed tech space, Dr. Bob Martens, Martin Luther College (MLC) Director of Information Technology. The discussion centers on the MLC Technology Director graduate degree program (a 30 credit MS Education Administration program) as well as two new certifications also offered by MLC in Education Technology Leadership and Technology Integration, each requiring 9 credits. Summed up as learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the three share how the program teaches edtech leadership skills needed to manage the many facets of the ever-changing edtech learning environment. Ministry resource CoSN K-12 InnovationInfographicAudioVideoScreens and Souls Picks of the week 100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical ModuleWater Reminder Smart LightGoogle Chrome Split ViewPirate ShipBook of Concord Community feedback Free Google Certifications Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

Take a look back at 2025 with Martin and Sallie as they share highlights, memories, and favorites from year 18 of the WELSTech Podcast. Events WELSTech AI SummitAI Focus Ministry resources learn.lutheran.marketing2026 Brand DirectionWELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership2025 Ministry Resources Interviews 748 – Lori Ehlke Art761 – Comms and Cardigans2025 Interviews Picks of the year Notebook LMWELSTech 2025 infographicChrist BeginsChristian WorshipLyric videoThe updated WELS Call ReportPitaka Phone CasesFlowPlaudco-hosts Dr. Rachel Renno and Jason Schmidt2025 Picks of the Week Next time Year 19 of WELSTech is ahead of us. What will it hold for tech-in-ministry? Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

Merry Christmas from WELSTech! We’re continuing our holiday tradition of sharing a special Christmas interview with our listeners. This year, we’re excited to welcome Melanie Giddings from the Lutheran Schools Office to talk about the important work underway to develop a new religion curriculum. The interview A new curriculum in development – Melanie Giddings, Curriculum Coordinator from WELS Lutheran Schools, joins Martin and Sallie to share an inside look at the work being shared by many hands on a new Pre-K to 12 religion curriculum being developed to succeed Christ Light. Christmas Coloring Book Collab There’s still time to submit your AI-generated Christmas coloring page for inclusion in a WELSTech crowd-sourced coloring book. Send your entries to welstech@wels.net, and we’ll choose a random contributor to receive some sweet WELS swag! Try this prompt: A black and white coloring page for kids of [YOUR TOPIC], thick lines, white background, no shading, no grey scale, simple vector style. Microsoft DesignerAdobe Express Coloring Page GeneratorColorBliss.artCrayola Color Camera Next time Join us in January for our look back at WELSTech 2025! Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

‘Tis the WELSTech Christmas season! Join us for a giveaway announcement that involves the good news of Christmas, coloring books, and AI. You could win a fun WELS item while you exercise your AI skills. Christmas concerts, anniversary offerings, travel apps, managing your smart home, and free EDU GPT round out this episode. Let’s goooo! The interview and discussion Celebrating in color – Martin and Sallie are collocated, Christmas-color coordinated, and collaborating on a coloring project. Everyone is invited to participate in an AI experiment, creating Christmas-related coloring pages which we’ll compile into a sharable book. Send your entries to welstech@wels.net, and we’ll choose a random contributor to receive some sweet WELS swag! Microsoft DesignerAdobe Express Coloring Page GeneratorColorBliss.artCrayola Color Camera Ministry resource wels.net/eventsWELS 175th AnniversarySpecial Offering Picks of the week iExitHubitat Community feedback Chat GPT is free for teachers until June 2027 Learn more from Tom’s Guide Next time Melanie Giddings, Curriculum Coordinator from the Lutheran Schools office, shares details on this important work. Get involved welstech@wels.netGoogle GroupFacebookPinterestInstagramwelstechwiki.gapps.wels.net#WELSTechwelstechmspriggssalliedraperwelstech

This week on WELSTech we take a deep dive into Google’s NotebookLM. Discover how this AI tool uses only your uploaded documents to create everything from video and audio overviews, flashcards, and summary documents, plus learn about other innovative AI tools like Hume Voice AI and the Plaud audio recorder that are changing the way […]

On this episode of WELSTech, we take a closer look at one of the standout offerings from the upcoming WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership. We also revisit the WELS Strategic Plan, with a special focus on the Calling pillar. Plus, we’ve got our usual lineup of helpful Picks of the week and the latest […]

This episode of WELSTech opens with an overview of the recent WELS Artificial Intelligence (AI) survey. The AI theme continues throughout the show, featuring details on the new Hour of AI initiative, a powerful prompt designed to help organize scattered thoughts, a WELS-centric GPT tool, and the latest edition of the TAAFT (There’s an AI […]

Fall has arrived on WELSTech, and we’re reminiscing about childhood sweater weather. We share a church communication focused interview as well as details on all the happenings at January’s Lutheran Leadership Conference. The picks of the week include worksheet alternatives for teachers as well as a great place to keep things. It’s time to press […]

For the 760th time, welcome to WELSTech, a podcast at the intersection of technology and ministry. This episode features a discussion of the dos and don’ts of church and school surveys. Also included is a new source for liturgical art, a deep dive into “Smart” Health, and a new vocabulary word – workslop! Eek! The […]

WELSTech is back with an unexpected AI buzz word discussion that’s a hot topic in schools right now – Academic Integrity. Jason and Rachel return bringing videos, gems, and flow to the podcast. Plus, there’s a new tech-enabled look at WELS 10-year strategic plan. Your earbuds are waiting! The discussion AI using AI – Martin […]

The first episode of the 2025-26 season of WELSTech is unlocked! Martin and Sallie kick off with a Lutheran-flavored AI theme for the season and share resources to assist with school AI policies. Sallie has a random pick of the week, and Martin shared Gmail keyboard shortcuts. All this and more. Let’s go! The discussion […]

How vulnerable is your church or school to hacking? On this episode of WELSTech learn why vigilant training on threat avoidance is important in ministry settings and find links to available (and many times free) resources to assist with those efforts. Sallie shares a family friendly YouTube channel and Martin has some hardware to detect […]

The WELSTech summer tips and tricks keep coming with this week’s rundown of church marketing ideas courtesy of Grace Ungemach. Set a goal and see what changes may take place in your outreach efforts. Sallie’s got new hardware, Martin has a new Inbox, and WELS Intersections is talking about church communication guidelines. You don’t want […]