Do you ever feel completely alone in a room full of people?
In a recent sermon, Pastor Mike Signorelli of V1 Church confronted the epidemic of loneliness that plagues even the most socially active individuals. “For all of you who struggle with loneliness even in a room full of people… Welcome to the club,” he says. “Matter of fact, I think what would happen ideally is we would get so close as a church that you don’t even have to mask anymore.”
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Signorelli emphasizes that many people instinctively isolate when they should be doing the opposite. “We isolate when we need to congregate,” he says.
For Signorelli, the church has been a healing force. “Even though church can be an introvert’s nightmare, to be honest with you, this has been the single greatest force of healing in my entire life.”
Drawing from his own experience growing up in a fatherless home, Signorelli says, “It was older men fathering me and hugging me and telling me they were proud of me… I found it in the local church.” He urged believers to become ambassadors of the Father’s heart and emphasized that the local church remains God’s “Plan A” for reaching the world.
Signorelli also identified three common “software systems” in today’s culture that are leading people astray into a world of turmoil: hedonism, narcissism and agnosticism.
Hedonism, he explains, is when people seek life for their own pleasure and purpose. “That’s why you’re addicted. You’re not addicted to porn; you’re addicted to pleasure,” Signorelli says, describing a culture driven by desire rather than service.
Narcissism, on the other hand, is ruled by the “unholy trinity of me, myself and I.” Signorelli warns that it’s easy to fall into self-centered thinking, especially in a culture that promotes self-worship through participation trophies and constant affirmation. “People become narcissists because we’re just made to think that we are amazing no matter what and life revolves around us.”
He also presents agnosticism—the belief that God might exist but is unknowable and distant—as the default worldview causing loneliness for many. “Most of the people you work with… have this operating system,” he said. But this, he argues, is incompatible with the biblical witness of a God who is present and active.
While agnosticism may reign outside of Christian circles, Signorelli also warns against the overpowering intellectualism that has crept into many churches, where theology is valued over spiritual power. “Sometimes flexing all of the Greek and Hebrew… is not for your education—it’s for their edification,” he notes.
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His ultimate challenge? Don’t just talk about God—demonstrate His power. Don’t just stay focused on yourself; go deep into community and let God change your heart and mind. In a culture increasingly driven by individualism and digital connection, the silent epidemic of loneliness continues to grow—even within the church. But true healing isn’t found in isolation or self-reliance; it’s birthed in authentic community. When believers choose vulnerability over appearance and connection over comfort, they open the door to true, Spirit-filled transformation.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
