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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55 recent
June 1, 202637 min
777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane
In this emotional and reflective episode of WELSTech Audio, titled "777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane," I, Martin Spriggs, join my co-host Sally Draper for a poignant farewell as she embarks on her retirement after 18 years with the show. Together, we reminisce about our journey through technology and ministry, highlighting the transformative changes we've witnessed—from the basics of church websites to the complexities of modern tools like AI. We discuss memorable moments, the impact of our community, and the friendships forged over nearly 800 episodes. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of WELSTech, recognizing the essential role technology plays in sharing the gospel and supporting our congregations. Tune in for heartfelt reflections and a look at what lies ahead for both the podcast and Sally.
May 14, 202658 min
776 - Wholly Unauthorized
**WELSTech 776 – Wholly Unauthorized**
What happens when you feed years of podcast transcripts into an AI and ask it to roast your guests? Episode 776, that's what.
Martin and Sallie are joined once again by their favorite EdTech duo — Dr. Rachel Renno (Martin Luther College) and Jason Schmidt (Oshkosh ISD) — but this time, the agenda was set by Claude. Using OpenAI's Whisper to transcribe 15+ episodes of past conversations, the team fed the archive into an AI chatbot and let it build a retrospective of Jason and Rachel's greatest hits, boldest predictions, and most quotable moments. With the snark meter turned up just a little, the results did not disappoint.
On the docket: the "Don't Quote Me on That" Award, the Evolution Arc (how two tech enthusiasts slowly became tech realists), a lightning round neither host was fully prepared for, and the phrase that should be cross-stitched on a pillow — courtesy of Jason Schmidt.
Also in this episode: MLC and WLS graduation and assignment season is here — find out how to watch the livestreams. Picks of the week include Apple's built-in iOS Password app (and its Chrome extension), the Privacy virtual card service, Google Flow Music, and OpenAI Whisper. Community feedback covers Wisconsin Act 89 and what school communication compliance means for WELS schools — including a look at ParentSquare, Talking Points, ClassDojo, and more.
A love letter to longtime listeners. A mild roast of two very good sports. And proof that the archive has been listening all along.
🎙️ WELSTech is the official technology podcast of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. New episodes every two weeks at welstech.wels.net.
April 30, 202643 min
775 - Cough Drops and Use Cases
**WELSTech Episode 775 — Cough Drops and Use Cases** Sallie's voice may not be at 100%, but the show must go on! In this episode of WELSTech, Martin and Sallie power through to explore one of the most practical questions in this Season of AI: what does AI actually look like in *your* ministry context? The WELS AI Task Force has been hard at work developing a set of top-10 AI use cases for three distinct ministry roles — pastoral ministry, teaching, and church/school administration. Martin and Sallie walk through highlights from each category, from sermon research and member communication to lesson planning, student feedback, and meeting transcription. Along the way, they apply the WELS AI Ethical Framework and Risk Matrix to help you think through not just *what* AI can do, but *how* to use it wisely. This is an audience participation episode — the task force wants your feedback! How is AI showing up in your ministry? Let them know. Also in this episode: - **Ministry Resource:** Two free NotebookLM cheat sheets from Ditch That Textbook — one for teachers, one for students - **Picks of the Week:** OZLO Sleepbuds (Martin) and Google Vids (Sallie) - **Community News:** WELSTech has a new home! The site has migrated to HubSpot at welstech.wels.net (now resolving to welstech.wels.org), with all 774 previous episodes along for the ride. 📬 Share your AI use cases: welstech@wels.net 🌐 AI season resources: https://welstech.wels.net/ai/ 🎙️ Show notes: https://welstech.wels.net #WELSTech #AIinMinistry #ChurchTech #LutheranEducation #EdTech #NotebookLM #GoogleVids
April 16, 202632 min
774 - Sprinkles and Shortlinks
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.
April 2, 202640 min
773 - Give It a Desk
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.
March 19, 202646 min
772 – The Pendulum Swings: EdTech’s Reckoning
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.com
Adobe Podcast
Part of Adobe Express which is free for education
BingoBaker.com
How To Take Smart Notes by Sonke Ahrens
Summary by Claude AI
Community feedback
Hot off the press … Matt Miller’s newest book, AI Literacy in Any Class
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Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group
WELSTech on Facebook
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WELSTech on Instagram
Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
Share with the Diigo group welstech
March 5, 202636 min
771 – Human Connection in a Digital Age
In this episode of WELSTech Audio, we dive into the critical theme of "Human Connection in a Digital Age." Join me, your host Martin Spriggs, as I explore the profound impact of technology on our ministry and personal lives. I share insights from a deeply personal experience, reflecting on how a significant health challenge reshaped my view of community and support. We also discuss the advancements in artificial intelligence, its implications for ministry, and the resources developed to navigate this evolving landscape. By examining the balance between digital tools and authentic human interaction, we aim to foster deeper connections within our congregations. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about the role of technology in enhancing our spiritual lives while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of genuine relationships.
February 19, 202636 min
770 – Your Strategic Plan Deserves More Than a PDF
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 Us, WELS Strategic Plan
Trello for non-profits
Details
Apply
WELSTech sample Trello board
Ministry resource
Taste of Missions – June 13 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
School Challenge
Poster Contest
Picks of the week
iPhone Air
iOS 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
Add comments
Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group
WELSTech on Facebook
WELSTech on Pinterest
WELSTech on Instagram
Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
Share with the Diigo group welstech
February 5, 202643 min
769 – AI for the Assist
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.
Ryan’s latest course, AI for Impact, is specially priced at $99 per school during February
Ministry resource
You Are an Influencer webinar
February 19 – 7 to 8 pm Central
Hosted by WELS Women’s Ministry
Christmas coloring revisited
Shout out to the upper grades at St. John Lutheran School in Fox Lake, WI and Principal Tom Rosenow
Download their AI generated Christmas coloring book
Picks of the week
Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow – Melody and chorus by Pastor Caleb Schmiege and Melanie Bourman
KeySmart SmartCard
Community feedback
PBX is all the talk in the WELSTech Google Group
Next time
Managing a strategic plan with Trello Get involved
Add comments
Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group
WELSTech on Facebook
WELSTech on Pinterest
WELSTech on Instagram
Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
Share with the Diigo group welstech
January 22, 202653 min
768 – Many Hats, Many Cats
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 Innovation
Notebook LM summary – Infographic, Audio, Video
Martin’s Leadership Conference presentation on Screens and Souls
Picks of the week
100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical Module
Water Reminder Smart Light
Google Chrome Split View
Pirate Ship
Book of Concord
Community feedback
Free Google Certifications – Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 as well as Gemini Certified Educator and Gemini Certified student
Get involved
Add comments
Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group
WELSTech on Facebook
WELSTech on Pinterest
WELSTech on Instagram
Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
Share with the Diigo group welstech
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