What happens when a nuclear engineer decides to plant churches? If you’re picturing spreadsheets and reactor-level efficiency, you’re not far off—but the story gets even better. In this post, we dive into a conversation with Robin Wallar, leader of Lift Church in Hamilton, Ontario, and author of Living Sent and Everyone Sent. Spoiler alert: Robin’s journey is a mix of bold faith, strategic thinking, and a whole lot of heart for people.
How does a nuclear engineer become a church planter?
Great question—and Robin’s answer might surprise you. He didn’t set out to become a pastor. Instead, he started Lift Church while still a university student, balancing his studies with ministry. Years later, when the church’s founding pastor moved on, Robin and his wife, Laura, stepped into leadership. Their decision? Either close the church or rebuild it from the ground up. No pressure, right?
And here’s the kicker: Robin didn’t quit his day job as a software engineer. Instead, he led Lift Church as a co-vocational pastor, juggling career and ministry—a model that has since become central to Lift Church’s DNA.
What’s this “co-vocational” thing all about?
Imagine planting a church without quitting your job. Sounds impossible? Robin doesn’t think so. Co-vocational church planting means professionals stay in their careers while leading church plants. Why?
For one, it’s cost-effective (church planting isn’t cheap). But more importantly, it’s about making disciples right where people live and work. It’s a model that mirrors the New Testament—just think of the unnamed believers in Acts 8 who planted churches while fleeing persecution. Talk about multitasking!
Why rethink church planting and discipleship?
Here’s where it gets real. Robin shared that their early attempts at church planting followed a traditional model: hire a full-time pastor, find a venue, and build a team. But they ran into two big problems:
- It’s expensive. Funding just one church plant was tough—let alone multiplying them.
- It’s slow. Training full-time pastors takes years, and they just couldn’t keep up with the need.
So, they asked, What’s the bare minimum needed to plant a church? This led them to focus on two things: co-vocational leaders and life-on-life discipleship. The goal? Equip every believer to make disciples and plant churches, whether or not they have a seminary degree or a church budget.
Wait… everyone is supposed to make disciples? Even me?
Yes, you! Robin challenged us to take Matthew 28 (The Great Commission) seriously. If Jesus’ command is to make disciples, we’re all called to do it. But don’t panic—Robin isn’t asking you to drop everything and move to a remote jungle. Instead, start where you are: your home, workplace, or neighborhood.
Robin’s discipleship model is simple and relational: invite people into your life, model what following Jesus looks like, and empower them to do the same. Sounds doable, right?
How does Lift Church actually measure discipleship?
Okay, so this might be the part where you’re wondering, How do you even measure discipleship? Isn’t it all just vibes? Not at Lift Church. Robin’s team tracks three key metrics:
- Disciple-Making Contexts: These are small, intentional groups (they call them Simple Churches) where life-on-life discipleship happens. The number of these groups tells them their capacity for growth.
- Leaders in Training: How many people are actively being trained to lead new disciple-making contexts? If the pipeline isn’t full, multiplication stalls.
- Evangelistic Reach: Are non-believers connecting with these groups? If not, they’re missing the mission.
Robin jokes that if 5,000 people showed up tomorrow, they wouldn’t know what to do with them because their capacity is determined by the number of disciple-making contexts, not the size of their Sunday service. Priorities, right?
What’s the deal with “missional living” and “radical generosity”?
If you’re like me, you might be wondering, Isn’t missional living just churchy talk for being nice? Nope. Robin breaks it down:
- Missional Living is about structuring your life to prioritize the Gospel. Think open homes, intentional hospitality, and aligning your career and lifestyle with God’s mission.
- Radical Generosity flows out of missional living. By living simply, you create capacity to give your time, talents, and treasures to others.
Here’s the catch: You can’t be radically generous if your life is already maxed out. That’s why missional living comes first. Makes sense, right?
What if I’ve never been discipled before? Can I still do this?
Absolutely! Robin’s advice is simple: start small. Gather a few people, open the Bible, and ask three questions:
- What does this teach me about God?
- What does this teach me about myself?
- What step of obedience can we take?
Invite your neighbors, coworkers, or friends—even if they’re not believers. Robin’s seen God work in incredible ways through simple, consistent gatherings. As he puts it, “If you’re feeling stuck in your faith, find a young believer and come alongside them. It’ll revolutionize your journey.”
Final Thoughts: Can we really do this?
Robin’s message is clear: making disciples the way Jesus did is possible for everyone. It’s not about being a theological expert or having a perfect life—it’s about being faithful, relational, and willing to invite others into your journey.
Ready to dive deeper? Check out Robin’s books, Living Sent and Everyone Sent, and visit livingsent.substack.com for more resources. You’ve got this—and as Robin would say, “Let’s go!”
