Web

The "Web" track is more than just websites. It includes live streaming, social media, intranets, and mobile. If you are responsible for "putting stuff online" for your organization this track will provide great tools, techniques and tips to help. And of course there is website stuff.

Create a Simple Church Intranet with Free Google Tools

  • 5I-Friday 3:00 pm to 3:50 pm
  • 1J-Saturday 9:10 am to 10:00 am
    • Presenter: Pastor Rob Guenther

Easily manage records, sign-up sheets, and meeting minutes in one easy to find and remember location with Google Drive, Friendly URL's, and Google Sites. Share access to password protected data to get more volunteers involved from church, home, or anywhere with internet access.

Making Better Websites

  • 3J-Friday 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm
  • 2J-Saturday 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
    • Presenter: Dan Stelljes

Websites are easy. WordPress promises you a five-minute installation. Sams can teach you HTML and CSS in a day. And yet, despite the enormous amount of templates, tutorials, and frameworks available, very few websites are as effective as they should be.

This presentation is for those who, regardless of knowledge or experience, are interested in making better websites, websites that communicate well, look awesome, and work on devices of any size. We'll talk about developing compelling content, look at the tools WELS churches and schools are already using, and explore the huge array of resources that can help you make your website excellent.

One Smartphone Is All You Need

  • 1J-Friday 9:30 am to 10:20 am
  • 3I-Saturday 11:10 am to 12:00 pm
    • Presenter: Dan Jaspersen

We are privileged to live in an era when all the technology we need to communicate the rest of the world fits into your pocket (unless you're wearing skinny jeans).

Let's talk about all the effective methods of communication that can be done with one smartphone.

Let's dig into a few specific types of apps. For example, how can (should) a church be using Pinterest or Instagram? How about Yelp?

Let's talk about a good use of video and various ways it can be used to support a church's mission.

How can quick edits to photos (on a phone) boost their impact and circulation on social channels?

How can we automate some of the work so that it doesn't take a lot of time?

Keep up-to-date data for your website traffic ... on your phone.

Attendees should bring a smartphone or tablet with them.

Bottom Line: If an organization has one smartphone and knows how to use it, a solid communication plan is within reach.

Streaming Without a Canoe (Basic)

  • 5J-Friday 3:00 pm to 3:50 pm
    • Presenter: Jason & Barb Winget

Learn all about the tools used in streaming worship services on-line, no canoe needed! This session is based on a case study of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in River Falls WI. An audio/video ministry has been an important outreach of this congregation back to the 1980's and has progressed over time to remain current with technology as it advances. We will look at the mission decisions and look into the technology that brings those goals to life. Faith has the traditional television presence in the community through cable access as well as on the air with the local radio station. In addition to those time tested methods the congregation also has live streaming as well as recorded audio and video products on-line.

In this first session we will learn at a "beginners" level what the congregation is doing now. We will talk about how we record the service all the way through "on the air" in multiple formats. As well as how the team works together and a high level introduction to what is involved for hardware, software and licensing. In the second session we will dive into the technical details at an "intermediate" to "advanced" level.

Streaming Without a Canoe (Intermediate)

  • 3J-Saturday 11:00 am to 11:50 am
    • Presenter: Jason & Barb Winget

In this session we will dive into the technical details of audio/video streaming at an "intermediate" to "advanced" level. We will expand upon the first session by using Faith Lutheran as a case study system and dig into what makes it tick from recording to on-air. You do not have had to attend the first session, we will catch you up! We will go over the equipment and an introduction to audio systems, integration with the video, audio video flow to the PC, software for capture, software for editing, live streaming services and how to create on-demand products for your community to access. Faith has the traditional television presence in the community through cable access as well as on the air with the local radio station. In addition to those time tested methods the congregation also has live streaming as well as recorded audio and video products on-line.

Take Your Social Media Ministry to the Next Level!

  • 2J-Friday 10:30 am to 11:20 am
  • 4J-Saturday 1:10 pm to 2:00 pm
    • Presenter: Katy Klinnert Ellison

Step up your social media ministry with this strategy session that will help you go from having social media accounts to utilizing them as a driving force for interaction and outreach. Learn how to leverage management tools, ads and promoted posts, analytics and insights, and most importantly, great content.

Web Do's and Don'ts plus Upcoming Finalweb Projects

  • 4J-Friday 1:30 pm to 2:20 pm
  • 5J-Saturday 2:10 pm to 3:00 pm
    • Presenter: Brian Shaffer

This session focuses on the biggest mistakes we see in church websites with tips for how to avoid them using Finalweb's web creation system. We will also talk about Finalweb's mobile apps and live streaming along with plans for future projects.