Church at the Cross in Grapevine, Texas, recently led its congregation through a 30-day “digital declutter” aimed at reducing unhealthy dependence on technology and creating more room for spiritual growth. Pastor JR Vassar said that excessive screen time has weakened people’s ability to focus on meaningful relationships and spiritual formation. Drawing from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism, the church paired the initiative with a sermon series titled “The Attention Economy: Paying Attention to What Matters.”
Members were encouraged to identify which digital tools were necessary and temporarily eliminate those considered unnecessary, such as social media or streaming services. The church also encouraged practical habits like face-to-face conversations, family activities, prayer, Bible reading, and quiet reflection. Vassar explained, “We want to remember that we are embodied people, and we’re meant to have embodied interactions with people, not just screen interactions.” Participants reported stronger family connections, more meaningful conversations, and renewed engagement with Scripture and prayer.
