A Need for Community
This concept has come up several times over the last few weeks: we need community. And more and more — we need it to be real.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a leader at the top of a large org chart, an employee who feels lost in the system, or a solopreneur working from home — we all need others we can lean on and who can lean on us. It’s part of how we’re made.
Here’s what I’ve heard that’s been missing:
People want to connect beyond their daily roles. It’s not enough to just get a job done together. We long for connection that’s deeper than shared tasks or outcomes.
Leaders feel isolated. Many can’t be fully themselves with their peers or their staff. They don’t have it all together, and they don’t know all the answers — but they fake it, a lot. Some even feel like imposters inside their own organizations.
Solopreneurs crave authenticity. They love their work and their freedom, but often feel like they spend most of their time selling themselves. They want to be seen for who they truly are, not just as someone promoting their services. It’s hard to peel off the “business owner” layer and let people see what’s underneath.
That’s the short list — but it could easily go on. People feel disconnected today for a hundred reasons. I won’t bore you with another take on social media, AI, or why surface-level tech interactions don’t cut it.
So — let’s talk about why this really matters.
First… It’s How We Were Made.
Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Even before sin entered the world, God declared that isolation was “not good.” Humanity was designed for connection — both with God and with one another.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…”
God Himself exists in eternal community — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and He created us in that same relational image.
Why We Need One Another
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
...A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Genuine strength, encouragement, and resilience come from shared life — not just shared tasks.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Growth happens through the friction and refinement of real relationships. We cannot grow through surface-level connection. There’s no sharpening there — only shallow validation. We need others who will tell us the truth in love.
Mutual Encouragement
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Gathering together isn’t optional; it’s vital for perseverance.
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
True community means sharing both the weight and the work of life.
So What Do We Do About It?
We’re not going to escape our need for community — and we can’t fake it when it isn’t real. So, what can we actually do?
#1 – Find your local church and get involved.
If you’re a believer in Jesus, you already have common ground with His body. Join a volunteer team and get to know people who also care about serving. Find a Bible study or small group that fits your season of life. Don’t know where to start? Try Church Finder.
#2 – If you’re a leader, hire a coach.
A coach can help you process challenges, navigate strategy, and talk through the personal issues that often impact leadership. If you can’t fully open up to your team, a coach can be the perfect outlet for honest conversation and tough truth.
#3 – Lean into your primary relationships.
First — call on God. Pray more often. Read His Word. Let Him speak to you.
Next — if you’re married, lean into your spouse and deepen your bond.
Then — invest in your children or close family. Community doesn’t have to be big or complicated. It can begin with the people right in front of you.
Don’t let your current proximity or work environment keep you from close, personal relationships that make you stronger, more confident, and more loving.
You’ll be better all the way around — spiritually, emotionally, and relationally — when you take this need for community seriously.
-Mark
