Tapas, Testimonies, and Togetherness: Learning the Value of Community
- Pilar
- Jun 28, 2025
- 4 min read
What do you like about Spain? This question has come up a time or two throughout my time abroad. Both from those who I come in contact with here as well as from those back home. It’s a valid question and I have floated through my choice of answers: the people, the weather, the culture. But recently, with the thought of living in this amazing country, the question has hit me a bit harder. Why do I love Spain? I think it boils down to values as I have come to realize that one of my core values in life is community. Outside of my faith, what do I value the most? One of those values I would say is community. Today’s blog post will focus on what community is, why it is important from a worldly perspective, and what the Bible says about community.
First off, what is community? The Cambridge dictionary has two main definitions: the people living in a particular area and a group of people who have the same interests, religion, etc (1). I can see both examples of this here in Madrid. The madrileños represent the first definition as a group of people living in an area. I love living life in Madrid and seeing the way community flourishes even in the city. It’s seen in the groups that congregate enjoying tapas and drinks outside a local bar or cafetería without any hurry in the world. The way the abuelitas walk through the park with their husbands chatting to every neighbor they meet. Or how the abuelos all gather in the parks to play petanca (2). It’s seen in how much my students value their families and the friendships they have with each other. Spanish culture is built on this sense and value of community.
For me personally, I see the second definition of the word lived out with the people I attend church with as we share the same faith and have some similar interests. Even though we all come from so many different countries we are almost instantly grounded with the sense of belonging in knowing that we serve the same God. It’s uniting in such a unique way and establishes a common ground for us to know more about each other’s cultures knowing our foundation is built the same way.
Community is a big part of Spain and can help form connections in religious settings. But, you might be asking—what’s the big deal? Although we may be more connected than any generation before us, we are equally more isolated. A 2021 Harvard study revealed that 36% of Americans reported experiencing “serious loneliness,” with that number rising to 61% among young adults aged 18 to 25 (3). I’ve seen this firsthand in conversations with other young adults. Growing up with technology, many of us haven’t developed the skills needed to build deep, heartfelt connections.
Supporting this, another study found that in just under two decades, the average amount of time young people spend with friends each day has plummeted—from 150 minutes in 2003 to only 40 minutes in 2020 (4). This results in fewer connections, less meaningful conversation, and more young people trying to navigate life in emotional isolation. Many factors contribute to this growing disconnect: technology, overwork, and a culture that often prioritizes individual achievement over collective connection. Health experts now consider loneliness a serious risk to well-being, linking it to increased chances of heart disease, stroke, and even premature death (5).
All those facts, statistics, and studies shed an interesting light on the topic. However, they are not the ultimate authority—so what does God’s Word say about the importance of community? The first verse that comes to mind is Genesis 2:18: Even though Adam had the company of all the animals and the rest of God’s creation, God still created another human being. This marked the beginning of human community. But why did God say that it isn’t good for man to be alone?
Hebrews 10:24–25 offers some insight: “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” (NIV). Community is meant to encourage. When we are feeling low or going through hard times, it reminds us of God’s love and mercy. Community helps us catch the lies of the enemy that could lead us into despair or isolation.
In a similar vein, Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens.” There are some challenges in life that are too heavy for one person to bear alone. It is the role of the community to come alongside, support, and lighten the load, helping each person keep moving forward.
We were also not created to be all things to all people. First Corinthians 12 explains that the Church is like a body made up of many parts. Each member of the community has different strengths and weaknesses, and together we complement one another. For example, one person may have the gift of encouragement, while another has the gift of teaching. Working together, they can better support others and carry one another’s burdens.
In conclusion, whether it's found in the laughter of friends gathered over tapas, the shared songs of worship in a multinational church, or simply a neighbor’s smile in the park, community reminds us that we were never meant to do life alone. In a world increasingly marked by disconnection, nurturing community—both culturally and spiritually—is not just valuable, it's vital. My time in Spain has not only shown me the beauty of communal living but has also challenged me to be more intentional about building and being part of one, wherever I go.
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