Parish Movement Sign 4:

Written By Pearla Lagrosa

Collaborating for Renewal with God


If you’ve been following along in our 5 Signs series, you know the journey we’ve been on so far. If not, you can catch up!

Now, Sign 4 brings us to what happens when all of that presence, faithfulness, and memory start spilling over:

We trust God will invite us to weave new relationships and projects for the common good in our shared common ground. We collaborate for renewal.

Why Collaboration Matters

Our neighborhoods are full of longing right now.
Majora Carter and Tim Soerens, who wrote Sign 4, say it plainly:

“This isn’t just something the Church needs. This is something our neighbors are aching for → people of peace who knit us together, lean into difference, build trust, and work for the common good.”

It’s not unity for unity’s sake, and it’s not about pretending differences don’t exist. This is gritty, practical, place-based unity. The kind that grows when people commit to renewal together over time.

And here’s the good news:
We don’t have to start from scratch or wait for permission. God is already at work. Renewal is already happening in our neighborhoods, often led by “ordinary” people doing extraordinary things in ways that will never make the news. Our call is to join in, not reinvent the wheel.

Collaboration Looks Like This

Collaboration for renewal begins with a posture: God is already here, doing something good, and we get to join in.

That’s why Majora insists on seeing neighbors not as problems to be solved, but as agents of their own change.

True collaboration:

  • Honors the dignity and agency of those most impacted.

  • Crosses cultural and relational barriers to build trust.

  • Works with the neighborhood, not for it.

  • Starts with listening, learning, and showing up over the long haul.

It’s not quick. It’s not always comfortable. And it can’t be done alone.

A Lay-Led, Local Movement

One of the most striking ideas about Sign 4 is this:

“If there’s ever going to be a robust movement of unity in the 21st century church, it will likely be lay-led, local, and in the neighborhood.” -Tim Soerens

That means renewal won’t primarily come from denominational headquarters, elected officials, or well-funded nonprofits (though they are important and play a role!). The spark will come from everyday people —> neighbors, small churches, community leaders <— who know and love their place.

Tim puts it this way: When we stop looking up the chain for someone to “save us” and start looking around for the gifts, strengths, and resilience already present, we’ll find an abundance of partners ready to collaborate for the good of our place.

The Work (and Joy) of Collaboration

Collaboration takes time. The walls that keep us apart, whether cultural, racial, economic, or denominational, took a long time to build. They won’t come down overnight.

But here’s the invitation:

  • Start with trust. Expect God to be faithful. As Majora says, “God is listening and God is seeing our efforts.”

  • Look for the good. Ask, Who’s already doing something beautiful here? How can I encourage or join them?

  • Get specific. Move from “we should work together” to “let’s do this one thing, together.”

Jonathan Brooks reminds us: when you see God’s renewal already happening, the next step is simple —> jump in.

Why This Sign Belongs in the Parish Movement

The first three signs root us in who we are, where we are, and whose story we’re living in. Sign 4 is about what we do with that rootedness:
We collaborate for renewal with God, for the good of the whole neighborhood.

This isn’t charity. This isn’t church growth strategy. This is joining God’s dreams for the flourishing of everyone and everything in our shared common ground.

And when we do it together, in all our difference and diversity, we start to see glimpses of the Kingdom right where we are.

🎥 Watch the full conversation with Majora Carter and Tim Soerens on Sign 4: Collaborating for Renewal with God.
You’ll hear stories, challenges, and next steps from two leaders who have lived this out in neighborhoods across the country.


Sign 4: We trust God will invite us to weave new relationships and projects for the common good in our shared common ground. 

“We trust God will invite us to weave new relationships and projects for the common good in our shared common ground. It’s never been more important to foster unity between all the diverse followers of Christ within our local contexts. Joining God’s renewal within the broken systems of our world, we seek to reconcile fractured relationships and celebrate differences by collaborating across cultural barriers and learning to live in solidarity with those in need. If ever there was going to be a robust movement of unity in the 21st century church it will likely be lay-led, local, and in the neighborhood. When unity and trust grows between us, it is amazing how we can work together and build peace for the common good.”

Sign 4 Definition written By Majora Carter & Tim Soerens

➤ Listen to your neighbors and begin to notice practical needs/issues you see in your neighborhood

➤ Google search local expressions of church or nonprofits in your neighborhood that are working to meet those needs

➤ Reach out and ask how you can become involved, remembering your role as a listener and learner

5 Signs

Pearla Lagrosa
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Parish Movement Sign 5:

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Parish Movement Sign 3: Gathering to Remember