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Michael Babler

Tuesday, Jan 24

3:15 – 4:30 pm

Evangelism, Technology

12. DIGITAL OUTREACH IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD

Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It

In a post-Christian culture, people aren’t searching for the nearest church—they’re searching for meaning, connection, and truth. That’s why traditional church marketing, polished promo videos, and generic social media posts often underperform. And when church members believe they’ve “done evangelism” just by reposting something from their congregation’s page, momentum stalls. Passive digital content isn’t enough.

This session helps leaders reframe digital outreach—not as a substitute for personal witness but as a tool that supports it. We’ll explore how churches can use social media, short-form video, and targeted ads to fuel connection and conversation. The goal is gospel clarity, not clickbait—equipping members to use digital tools to connect with friends, family, and neighbors in meaningful ways. Participants will walk away with practical strategies for content creation, measuring what matters, and member engagement—but more importantly, they’ll leave with a renewed vision that digital outreach is most effective when it supports relational evangelism.

Michael Babler serves as the director of digital ministry at Victory of the Lamb, Franklin, Wis. After 16 years in Christian education, he joined Victory in 2022, using his passion for technology to open new pathways for outreach and connection.

From livestreamed worship and video content to digital downloads and online courses, Michael’s day-to-day work at Victory is always positioned to reach the unreached. He helps digital touchpoints lead to real relationships by blending targeted communication with analytics, multiplying the impact of messages shared online.

Michael and his family live in Franklin, enjoying everything that comes with having a two-year-old boy (mainly trucks, tractors, and trains).

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Breakout Presentations

01. THE ART OF LISTENING AND ASKING QUESTIONS: Unlocking the Heart of Ministry

02. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE CHURCH: Embracing Tools, Avoiding Traps

03. BEYOND CASH: Smarter Ways God’s People Can Give

04. THE BUDGET IS THE PLAN: Aligning Strategy, Spending, and Stewardship

05. BUILDING A COHESIVE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Leading Together in Lutheran Education

06. BUILDING A CULTURE OF OUTREACH: A Game Plan for Every WELS Church

07. CLARIFYING CLERGY AND LAY ROLES: Leading Together in the Life of the Church

08. COME AND SEE: Planning Worship so Members Will Invite Guests

09. COMMUNICATING YOUR MISSION WITH CLARITY: Branding, Messaging, and Community Connection

10. COUNTING WHAT COUNTS: Goals, Metrics, and the Spirit’s Work

11. DEVELOPING A CLEAR PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP: A Proven Process for Congregational Membership and Leadership Development

12. DIGITAL OUTREACH IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It

13. THE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER: Managing Yourself to Lead Others

14. FAITH FORMATION IN SCHOOLS THAT STICKS: Building a Lutheran Worldview in the Next Generation

15. FAITHFUL AND FUNDED: Rethinking How We Support Lutheran Schools

16. THE FAMILY ALTAR: Empowering Homes as the Primary Place of Youth Discipleship

17. FEEDBACK AND THE PULPIT: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights

18. THE FOCUS TAX: How Much Are You Paying?

19. THE FORGOTTEN GENERATION: Ministry to Young Adults in Their 20s

20. FREELY GIVEN, FREELY GIVE: Building a Culture of Gospel-Driven Generosity

21. FROM 20/80 TO 100 PERCENT: Breaking the Volunteer Bottleneck

22. FROM BULLETIN TO BROADCAST: Modernizing Church Communication Without Losing Anyone

23. FROM CHRISTIAN WORSHIP TO THE FOUNDATION: Planning Smarter, Leading Better

24. FROM ENROLLMENT TO ENGAGEMENT: Making Your School a True Evangelism Effort

25. FROM ORGANIC TO ORGANIZED: How Leadership and Operations Must Evolve as Churches Grow

26. FROM SOCIAL CIRCLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Small Groups that Make Disciples, Not Just Friends

27. FROM TALK TO TRACTION: Making All Ministry Teams More Effective

28. GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS IN THE LGBTQ WORLD: Meeting Impossible Standards with the Grace of Christ

29. THE GRACE TO LEAD CHANGE WELL: Navigating Transition Without Losing Mission or People

30. THE GREAT COMMISSION IN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS: Nurture, Outreach, and School Growth

31. HEARING IT STRAIGHT FROM TODAY’S YOUTH: A Comprehensive Study of WELS Young People

32. HOPE FOR THE CHALLENGED CHURCH: Diagnosing Decline and Charting a Path Forward

33. HOSPITALITY BOOTCAMP: Evangelism in Action

34. THE LAWSUIT YOU DIDN’T SEE COMING: Building a Legally Resilient School

35. LEADERSHIP AS INFLUENCE: Shaping Culture and Lives Without a Title

36. LEADING WITH CONSENSUS IN YOUR CHURCH: From Votes to Voices

37. A LEGACY OF LOVE: Inspiring Generosity that Endures Beyond This Life

38. A LUTHERAN LENS ON MODERN HYMNODY: Evaluating the Theology, Use, and Impact of Modern Hymns

39. MINISTERING TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE: Compassion, Care, and Christ

40. MINISTERING TO AN AGING CONGREGATION: A Golden Opportunity!

41. ON THE CLOCK, STILL ON MISSION: Following Christ at Work

42. ONE GOSPEL, MANY PEOPLES: Readiness for Cultural Diversity in the Church

43. OUR CONFESSIONAL LUTHERAN IDENTITY: Doctrine, Practice, and a Distinct Gospel Witness

44. PLANNING THAT WORKS: Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Planning

45. POLITICS IN THE PEWS: Living in Two Kingdoms

46. THE PORN PANDEMIC IN OUR PEWS: How Pornography Is Quietly Discipling Our Members and What to Do About It

47. THE POWER OF DEEP CONNECTION: Engaging Women by Design  

48. PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER: Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry

49. PROBLEM-SOLVING AS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action

50. THE QUIET RETURN: Gen Z Men’s Renewed Interest in Christianity

51. RAISING A CHRIST-CENTERED CHILD IN A ME-CENTERED WORLD: Practical Tools for Parents and Church Leaders

52. RAISING THE BAR: A Culture of High Expectations for Discipleship

53. RETHINKING EVANGELISM: Why Yesterday’s Methods Miss Today’s Hearts

54. SACRAMENTAL IDENTITY FOR TODAY’S CHURCH: Timeless Gifts for Our Time in History

55. SCREENS AND SOULS: Helping Members Understand the Spiritual Impact of Technology

56. SERVANT LEADERS: Young Adults Modeling Christ’s Way

57. SERVING THE UNDERSERVED: Reaching and Discipling People with Special Needs

58. SHADOW OF THE LEADER: Using the Culture Change Course Map

59. SMALL CHURCH, BIG MISSION: Making a Kingdom Impact with Limited Resources

60. STAFFING FOR MISSION: When to Add Staff and How to Choose the Right Role

61. UNSTUCK: Breaking Growth Barriers with Courage, Clarity, and Calling

62. USING COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MAXIMIZE THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

63. VISION THAT INSPIRES SERVICE: Communicating a Christ-Centered Future in Ways that Move God’s People to Action

64. THE WEIGHT AND THE WONDER: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry

65. WIRED DIFFERENTLY: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams

66. WOMEN TEACHING WOMEN: From Learners to Leaders

67. YOUNG WOMEN IN WELS: Understanding the Crisis and Building Connections

68. YOUR CHURCH’S STORY: Preserving History with Purpose

69. THE FUTURE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH–MISSOURI SYNOD: One LCMS District President’s Perspective

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