Paul’s ecclesiology

With so many models and techniques for growing one individual church, we often miss the fact that there is only one megachurch mentioned in the New Testament, and it was dispersed very quickly.

Why is this topic important?

In its place a far more agile and versatile model took its place, which involved rapid, almost spontaneous, church planting. This is what led to the rapid spread of the gospel in the Early Church Period. In Paul’s ministry, he was always entering hostile territory, but he also trusted that the Spirit had people in those cities that He was calling to Himself, and so he went. And he always left behind him a new church. Yet, despite this feverish activity, Paul had a very clear and consistent understanding of what the church is; indeed, it was his gospel ecclesiology that was the secret to his success.

What we are going to do?

We are going to visit 2 church plants in different parts of the city and speak with the planters there in order to get a feel of how the broader church in Athens has been challenged and changed by the current move of church planting.

We will hear why a local church is able to make more of a lasting impact in a community than other kinds of ministries, and we will look at how aspects of early church ecclesiology can only be applied in the context of church planting, as opposed to growing existing churches.

The Goal?

Our goal is not to undermine existing church growth models but rather to show how they are limited whenever they fail to incorporate the core evangelistic model of the early church and Paul, which was church planting.

Your Host:

Tim Coomar

Born and raised in the UK, but with a Greek/Sri-Lankan heritage, Tim has been serving in the context of the Greek Evangelical Church since 2008, first as an intern and then, since 2011, as a church planter at the Exarcheia plant, together with Alexandros.

He studied Modern and Medieval Languages (MA, University of Cambridge) before switching to Theology (MTh, Union School of Theology).

Before he came to work for the church, he trained as a web developer, something he continues to this day as an instructor.

Tim is married to Cynthia and they have two daughters, Anna Cordelia (4) and Leda Jane (2).