Pastor’s Common Rally provides space for collaboration, fellowship for young ministry leaders

“We want you to know you have value, you have purpose, and there’s a space for you … We want you to know that there’s someone here who cares for you and who wants to pour into you,” David Miranda, director of Ministers Development and Missional Network at Texas Baptists and one of the founders of Pastor’s Common, said to attendees of the Pastor’s Common Rally.

The Pastor’s Common Rally was held on Sunday, Nov. 13, as part of the kick-off for the 2022 Annual Meeting. The rally was a time of fellowship and worship for Millenial and Generation Z pastors and ministers and was held at a coffee shop in downtown Waco.

The event kicked off with a time of worship led by Michael Glenn, creative arts pastor at First Baptist Church of Burleson. Following the music, Izzy Mendez, one of the founding members of Pastor’s Common and pastor of Alamo Community Church Downtown, welcomed the crowd.

“This is such a beautiful event and a time that we get to worship together and learn together. What really makes up the Pastor’s Common is people that are walking with Jesus and learning how to equip their people,” Mendez said.

Mendez introduced the “Situation Room,” where attendees were presented with some of the most common problems facing the church today and were given an opportunity to collaborate on possible solutions. Problems included denominational disaccord, cultural distractions and generational divides.

Each table was given time to work through three of the problems listed and created a list of possible solutions, which were then compiled digitally and shared with participants.

“We’re not going to change the world in the moment, but maybe this will lead to collaboration and some ideas that will spark change in your church, your city or even this generation for revival for Jesus Christ,” Mendez said.

Pastor’s Common is a space for ministry leaders to be heard, be resourced, and find community. The diverse gathering of pastors and leaders in their 20s and 30s from across Texas meets together for practical, communal and theological development. In addition to in-person events, Pastor’s Common also produces a podcast, where hosts interview pastors and leaders to share ministry wisdom and resources.

Miranda explained that, in addition to providing resources for pastors, Pastor’s Common also seeks to equip its members to be resources for others. Everyone brings important specializations and ideas to the table, he said, and Pastor’s Common highlights those voices.

“We want to help them see the value they bring to the Convention. We want them to grow from each other and know they’re not alone; we’re all a part of this. Pastors can feel lonely, but we want to show them they’re connected,” Miranda said. “Texas Baptists is so full of gifted leaders and so we are collecting all of their talent and knowledge and resourcing it for others.”