Is leadership really a lonely road? The two way street of community, and becoming someone's Tolkien

5 things worth sharing this week

Sep 09, 2025

TWO IDEAS FROM RICH & CASS

CASS WRITES:

Ever thought about the role of friendship in leadership?

Recently I’ve been studying 2 Corinthians and in 7:6 Paul candidly admits his dependence on encouragement: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

This sounds deeply human doesn’t it? Paul, the seasoned apostle, was not sustained by sheer resilience or spiritual bravado, but by the faithful presence of a friend.

Christian leadership isn’t meant to be a performance of strength, but it should be a posture of receiving God’s comfort through others.

I’ve heard it said, that “leadership is a lonely road” - but Paul challenges this kind of leadership. He confronts the picture of a leader who “needs no one”, shows no weakness and goes it alone.

It seems to me that Paul normalises seasons of discouragement and honors encouragement. He sees it as essential to sustaining God’s mission.

Don’t you think that this shows us that leaders aren’t meant to be reservoirs of unending energy or self sustained? Instead we are meant to participate in a mutual flow of comfort, sometimes giving comfort, and sometimes receiving it.

Paul’s words remind us that God’s grace often comes clothed in friendship, and that leadership is healthiest when it makes space to acknowledge our own weakness and need for friendship.

It makes me ask; “Who are my Titus’s?” and “Who shows up and brings comfort, encouragement and strength as I serve the Lord?”, and “Who can I be Titus to?”….. I figure you may like to ask yourself the same question this week.

RICH WRITES:

“Community is a two way street.
The only way to have real friendship is to be a real friend.”

TWO QUOTES FROM OTHERS

“Friendship is a much underestimated aspect of spirituality. It’s every bit as significant as prayer and fasting. Like the sacramental use of water and bread and wine, friendship takes what’s common in human experience and turns it into something holy.”
Eugene H. Peterson

Source: Leap Over A Wall

Spurgeon reminds us of what friendship with God looks like…

“If we are to be the friends of God, there must be a conformity of heart, and will, and design, and character to God. Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

Source: Sermon: The Friend of God

ONE SPARK OF INSPIRATION

It’s well known that C.S. Lewis and Tolkien’s friendship sparked new levels of creativity, honest feedback and inspiration. Who’s your Lewis? Do you have a Tolkien?

Here’s why it matters 👉 When You Do Creative Work With Your Friends, Everyone Wins!

What’s you best tip for friendship in leadership? Or have you struggled with the “lonely road”… let us know in the comments…