Church planting is one of the most exhilarating, challenging, and transformative journeys a follower of Christ can undertake. But for those sensing the tug of God on their hearts to start a new church, a pressing question emerges: When am I ready to plant a church?
For many, the answer is not as straightforward as a simple date on the calendar, a title conferred by a mentor, or even a gut feeling. Readiness is not about age, position, or even natural ability—it is about preparation, spiritual maturity, and alignment with God’s calling.
I know this from personal experience. Like many church planters, I didn’t always imagine I would become a pastor, let alone a church planter. The journey to planting a church in Colorado and to understanding when God was calling me took years, growth, and discernment.
The Question of Readiness
People often ask me: Is it when a mentor lays hands on you and says, “You should plant a church?” Or is it when you feel a stirring in your heart, a desire to build something of your own? Some think it’s when you have all the gifts of preaching and leadership neatly aligned. The truth is, readiness is more subtle and far deeper than any of these alone.
Church planting is about God’s calling, not simply the role or the opportunity. The question is not only, “Can I do this?” but, “Am I ready?” And readiness, I’ve learned, is cultivated over years of preparation, sanctification, and experience.
My Journey to Realizing God’s Call
Let me share a bit of my own story to illustrate this. My path to church planting didn’t follow the traditional trajectory of an early calling or rapid rise in ministry. Unlike some who know at 18 that God is calling them to be a pastor, my clear sense of God’s direction didn’t come until I was 33 or 34—a full decade after first sensing His call into full time vocational ministry.
In 2007, I began working in the corporate world as civil engineer in Houston, Texas. I was living what many would call the “American Dream,” climbing the ladder, making a name for myself. Yet underneath the surface, I struggled privately with discerning if this is what God wanted me to do for the rest of my life.
By 2009, I started sensing that God was calling me into ministry. It was a slow burn at first, subtle nudges rather than clear instructions. In January 2010, my friend Chris Hruska, who currently serves as the lead pastor of Citylight Church in Omaha, NE, came to visit me in Houston for my birthday. That weekend, we had a pivotal conversation about life, ministry, and calling. This conversation planted seeds that would grow over the next decade.
In 2010, I joined the staff of Cru, leading college ministry for six years. College ministry was transformative. It stretched me, shaped my leadership, and helped me develop a pastoral heart. But I had no immediate plans to plant a church; I honestly thought I could do college ministry for the rest of my life.
The Moment of Clarity
Fast forward to 2016: I visited Nebraska to recruit students to join me on summer mission and spend time with Chris over the weekend. During that trip, I experienced firsthand the early stages of church planting with Citylight. I had my feel in cement thinking about parachurch ministry, but God began to chip away at that and give me a vision for the local church. A burden for His plan A to reach the world. My wife and I came back to Omaha on a vision trip a few months later and the rest was history.
I came on staff as the Family Student Pastor, helping pioneer Global Missions in August of 2016. But when we launched the West location, my role quickly shifted to Campus Pastor. My role had quickly changed in just a couple of years and I realized God’s plan for me was quickly changing as well.
Only two weeks after the West Location launch, I began sensing a new stirring in my heart—God was calling me to plant a church. At the time, it made no sense. We were just getting started in Omaha, yet God was already opening a new chapter in my life.
Over the next few years, the vision became clearer. Our family prayed into what was next for the Citylight family. We knew we wanted to continue planting gospel-centered churches, and the 10-in-10 vision emerged. Three of those cities were in Colorado, and I began to lean in, praying deeply for guidance.
But it didn’t happen overnight. The process stretched over a year, from Spring 2018 to 2019, filled with prayer, discernment, and conversations with my wife, Paige, who was initially hesitant. One key insight I learned: if your spouse is not fully on board, you are not ready. Church planting requires a united front, a shared vision, and deep prayer for alignment. Through that process, God worked in Paige’s heart and ours together, bringing unity and confirmation.
Once Paige was fully on board, doors began to open: connections in the city, relationships with pastors, confirmation through God’s Word, affirmation from elders, and evaluation through the SEND Network. Every step was guided by three pillars:
- The Word of God – clarity and direction from Scripture.
- The Spirit of God – personal conviction and inner peace.
- The People of God – affirmation from the body of Christ.
By combining these three, I knew with confidence that the time had come. But it had taken years of preparation, growth, and sanctification to reach that point.
Understanding Readiness
From my journey, I’ve learned that church planting is not about age or timing in the world’s sense. Some might suggest that one must be in their 30s to plant a church, but I disagree. Readiness is about spiritual maturity, character, and preparation. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy, emphasizing the qualities and responsibilities of an elder—a model that applies directly to church planters.
So, how do you know when you’re ready? Here are the key indicators:
1
Desire for Eldership/Pastoring
Readiness begins with a God-given desire. 1 Timothy 3:1 states, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” Planting a church is not about personal ambition; it is about desiring to shepherd God’s people and serve His kingdom.
2
Growing in the Character of an Elder
Readiness is reflected in your spiritual growth and maturity. Paul outlines the character traits of elders in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9: faithful, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, and above reproach. Church planters must cultivate these qualities over time, not rush into the role prematurely.
3
Marital Unity
If married, your spouse must be fully committed. A church planter’s spouse is a co-laborer in ministry, and the lack of alignment can hinder the mission. Prayer and honest conversations are essential to discern this readiness.
4
Affirmation in Leadership and Calling
God often confirms calling through others—mentors, peers, and the wider church. This affirmation provides both accountability and encouragement for the next step.
5
A Deep Love for People
Perhaps the most critical factor is a heart for people. A church is not a building or an organization—it is a family of broken, messy individuals. To plant a church successfully, you must genuinely love people, shepherd them, and equip them to grow in Christ.
The Process is Unique
Every church planter’s timeline is different. For me, it was a nine- to ten-year preparation process. From engineering in Houston to six years in college ministry and four years in pastoral leadership at Citylight Omaha, God’s hand was preparing me step by step. The journey shaped my character, honed my leadership, and deepened my love for God’s people.
This timeline is not a formula but a reflection of God’s faithfulness. Some may be ready earlier, others later. What matters is not age or experience, but readiness and maturity.
Practical Steps Toward Readiness
For those sensing God’s call to plant, here are practical steps to consider:
- Aspire to God’s Calling – Actively pursue God’s direction and seek opportunities to serve and grow.
- Assess Your Character – Compare your life and leadership against biblical standards for elders. Identify areas for growth and accountability.
- Align Your Family – Ensure your spouse and family are united in vision and support your calling.
- Seek Affirmation – Talk with mentors, leaders, and peers for confirmation and guidance.
- Develop a Heart for People – Engage in ministries that stretch your compassion and relational skills.
Conclusion: Readiness is a Process
Knowing when to plant a church is rarely a single moment of clarity. It is a journey marked by preparation, spiritual growth, and discernment. My story is just one example of God’s timing: from engineering in Houston to college ministry, pastoral leadership, and finally, planting a church in Fort Collins, Colorado, God worked patiently to shape me for His calling.
If you are sensing God’s call, remember this: readiness is not measured by age, title, or ability alone. It is measured by your desire to shepherd, your growth in character, the unity of your family, affirmation from God’s people, and a deep love for those you will serve.
Take your time, trust God’s process, and allow Him to prepare your heart. When the Word, the Spirit, and the people align, you will know: the time has come.
And when it does, step forward with courage. Planting a church is messy, challenging, and risky—but it is also profoundly rewarding, as God uses you to expand His kingdom and transform lives.
Phil Robinson is the Co-lead Pastor of City Light Fort Collins.