- NVBC
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
20th Aug 2025
The battle for our Focus
from Travis
On Sunday we spoke openly about how our connectedness to our devices and how our online behaviour is a key area of our discipleship... all in a single message, no pressure!
From the conversations since then, it has become increasingly obvious that this is an issue we are all having to navigate as disciples of Jesus. Friends of all ages, from those in junior high through to those deep in retirement, have each shared how important this conversation is for them personally. I resonate deeply, as I likewise feel that the Holy Spirit is challenging me in this area of my life and rhythms.
Given the impact and importance of this topic, I encourage you to continue wrestling and making the changes that you feel God is calling you to make. Below is the slide-pack from Sunday's message (amended slightly for those unable to be there) to help fuel your self-reflections and action-taking.
Credit and source for the statistics: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-australia
Choosing the Better
While reducing our overall time spent online is a healthy pursuit, so is changing the types of content we consume online. One of the blessings of following Jesus in 2025, is that we have unprecedented access to Christian resources from around the world at our finger tips. From online commentaries to world class Christian teaching, there are all manner of great Christian podcasts, worship songs, blog posts, YouTube videos, social media accounts and churches we can follow online.
The same is true of downloadable apps that can help turn our smartphones / tablets into a helpful resource for our ongoing spiritual formation. Here is a 'top 10' list of Christian Apps that could be helpful in your Christian walk: https://getsermons.app/blog/best-christian-apps-2025
Taking Back Control
If you have become aware that your online usage has been creeping up and perhaps grown beyond what is healthy and helpful as a disciple of Jesus, then join together with many NVBCians who are looking to take back control in this area of their lives.
To audit your time spent on your phones, and on which apps, you can:
Android: navigate to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls > Dashboard
Apple: navigate to Settings > Screen Time > See All App & Website Activity
It is also worth exploring how you can use your smartphone to help. Not only can our phones paint a picture of our current/past usage, they also have inbuilt functions that enable us to set goals, or even place some limits on our phone usage.
If you are ready to tackle this head on in your own life, Lifeline Australia (in partnership with HeadSpace) produced a video and resource for taking a digital detox. While their focus is primarily in response to over engagement on social media, the principles apply to all types of online/tv/device over use. You can read and follow their suggestions here:
Let us not forget either, that we are in this together! As the writer to the Hebrews encourages, let us spur one another on. To help encourage one another in this key discipleship area, share via the poll below which of the applications you will be trying.
What will you try in response?
I will do an audit of my online habits
I will set a target to reduce my screentime by
I will switch to more wholesome and helpful online content
I will schedule 'unplugged' time (daily or weekly)
You can vote for more than one answer.
This Weekend
We highly encourage and recommend our practical equipping seminar on prayer this Saturday, 9am-1pm! Let us know you can make it here
This Sunday we are hosting pastor Greg McKewin from Compassion Australia for our annual Compassion Sunday at both services.
Next Week
Join us on Thurs Aug 28 for a time of hymns, communion, morning tea together, including hearing Iain Skinner's story.
All who have joined (or are thinking about joining) our church community are invited to a relaxed time of getting to know one another over a shared meal on Sunday Aug 31. RSVP here.
In September
On Father's Day we will celebrate our Dads with Bacon & Egg rolls before the AM service (and with a grazing board after the PM Service).
On Saturday September 13 the women of NVBC will join together for a time of connecting over afternoon tea while serving our community by packing hampers for people facing homelessness. Rego or find our more here.
On Sunday September 14 we are hosting a Combined Baptist Churches Prayer and Worship Night, starting with dinner. See more info and rego here.
In October
Our Cru-Coast Day Camp (Oct 7-10) will be running for Kindy to year 6 kids. Join us and invite your friends for 4 days packed with high energy activities, great community, an offsite excursion day and life-changing bible stories throughout. Learn more or register here: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-coast
Operation Christmas Child will run again this year, with Box collection early-mid Oct.
SAVE THE DATE for The Gathering Conference!! Held over the weekend of Oct 17-19, this church-wide conference onsite is one to put in your diaries. We will have guest keynote speakers, elective workshops you can choose from, opportunities for prayer, worship and time to hang out together while enjoying one another's company. A weekend not to be missed! Rego will open in a few weeks.
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