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LIG.punt Church | Pretoria, S. Africa

Tobie Meyer
May 12, 2011
Series: Church Profiles
Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

Johan Verster and Tobie Meyer met each other on their way to work, at a train station just south of London, without any introduction. They had 2 things in common: 1. They were both South African and 2. They were both about to become Christians in the next few months. In the meantime, they became friends, often travelled together and eventually decided to share a house with some other friends. God over this time opened their eyes (and that of many of their friends) to the beauty and reality of the gospel, gave them a good local church to settle into and planted the thought of establishing a similar church back in their home town, Pretoria. This was 2002 but the dream developed into strategic planning, assessment and recruiting that culminated in the launch of LIG.punt in Pretoria in early 2010.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage?

We shared the dream of planting a church with others, explained what we hope it might look like (formally and informally), partnered with other local churches who might provide some good people, and started a small group that met weekly to read, pray and invite others in. Be patient: don’t rush into starting something public unless you’ve got a group of people who are completely with you – and don’t make anyone a leader unless you know them really well.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

Knowing, during the build up to an actual launch, which of the well-intended advice to accept and which to ignore. Currently, though, the challenge is from the sin underneath the surface: at one level it looks like all is well spiritually but we are often reminded that it might well be masking major sin in the lives of many of us. So I guess the real challenge is to enjoy God’s goodness and yet not be complacent.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

Started considering joining the Network as we were nearing the end of our seminary days and realised that what we hope the plant to look like would not quite fit into any existing network, yet keen for relationships, input and accountability from other like-minded guys. Also, we’re convinced that the open/closed handed approach is completely needed in our context, yet totally absent. The biggest benefit to date have been The City, seeing what others do, what they struggle with and how the guys challenge and look after each other. Being geographically removed from much of the rest of the Network, it allows us to share in many of the existing benefits as we seek to create a similar (though contextualised) brotherhood this side. Seeing others on mission certainly keeps us from becoming content with the way things are.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant?

Join a network: whatever is keeping you from going ahead at the moment can probably best be addressed in relationship with other guys who are/have been there, who’ll assess thoroughly, be honest with you and be there for the long haul with you.

What’s the most important thing you’d want to share with a new church planter?

Don’t do it alone – if at all possible. We’ve been 2 elders from the outset and of all the decisions we’ve made, this one has yielded the most fruit, for us, our families and our church. Of course, you need to know who you’re partnering with and what exactly that relationship with look like in practice and over time, but it is worth the pain upfront.

How do you pastor your family?

I try and eat two meals a day with them when we would pray together there. We're intentional about making Jesus part of the everyday conversations and helping the kids see his hand in their little lives. We have family devotions each night before our oldest goes to bed, where we would read the Bible and pray together. I would love to get better at this though, especially in shepherding my wife.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Total Church by Timmis & Chester

Church Profile: LIG.punt
Launch Date: April 2010
Location: Pretoria, S. Africa

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

MISSION: We exist to glorify God by shining the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the city of Pretoria, for the salvation of the lost and the good of the community.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

We’ve seen God giving new life all around us: He established a new church, people have been made spiritually alive as they’ve come to trust in Jesus, scores of healthy babies have been born, he is adding to our number (almost!) daily and there is a healthy partnership developing among churches in our city who seek to work together for the Kingdom.