Chip Brogden CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

A New Way to Pray: 4 Benefits
by Chip Brogden
I think we all start out with a kindergarten-level understanding of prayer. I know I did. I suppose that is natural; unfortunately, too many people remain at that level and never advance beyond it.
 
At first, prayer is all about “me.” My needs, wants, wishes, desires, and plans. Getting God to give me what I want. Then, wondering what’s wrong with God when things don’t go the way I want them to go. We think that the perfect prayer, perfectly recited and perfectly repeated, obligates God to do what we want.
 
Some more advanced applications of prayer are just sophisticated forms of manipulation and control. The Bible is used like a book of magical incantations. We quote Scriptures and expect God to perform miracles on demand. Just as bad, we use prayer as a way to get other people “straight” – my irritable spouse, my rebellious kids, my idiot neighbors, my stupid boss – they all need straightening out, and prayer becomes a passive-aggressive weapon of choice. We see clearly what needs to happen (so we think), and we use prayer as a spiritual sledgehammer to bring other people around to our point of view. It makes us feel good that God is “on our side” and is working behind the scenes to jerk a knot in these people. The best you can say about this kind of prayer is that it is on the level of white witchcraft, which is really the same as black magic except it uses God instead of the devil to get its own way.
 
Well then, how should we pray?
https://theschoolofchrist.org/a-new-way-to-pray-4-benefits

Hello Elaine,
 
We're getting ready for tonight's Online Bible Study...
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Part 3)
Thursday, May 26, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
We'll reveal the Third Pillar of Preeminence - and I know you don't want to miss it.
 
I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
Last week we added the second pillar to our understanding of preeminence:
 
Christ is the Preeminent Provision of God.
 
This means two things.
 
First, that everything God gives is given through Christ.
 
Christ is the ultimate Gift of God, the preeminent provision.
 
Christ is the sum of all spiritual blessings.
 
All the fullness of God dwells in Christ, and all the fullness of Christ dwells in us, so that we are complete in Him.
 
The reverse of that forms the second point: that God gives us nothing outside of, or apart from, Christ.
 
Christ is the Way, Truth, and Life - no one come to the Father except through Him.
 
Apart from Him we can do nothing, and we have nothing; but in Him and through Him we can do "all things."
 
Together, the first two pillars of preeminence tell us that God's Will embraces ALL, but God's Way embraces ONE.
 
God desires ALL to be saved, but there is only ONE Way for that to happen.
 
For the Will to be fulfilled, the Way must be followed.
 
In terms of the Pillars of Preeminence, it means for the Purpose to be completed, the Provision must be accepted.
 
You cannot have the Will without the Way, or the Way without the Will.
 
And you cannot have the Purpose without the Provision, or the Provision without the Purpose.
 
Wonderful balance, isn't it?
 
Now we're ready to advance to the Third Pillar of Preeminence, which will be revealed in this week's Online Bible Study...
 
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Part 3)
Thursday, May 26, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

 
I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
 
P.S. These online studies are possible because of your support. Donations are gratefully accepted (and put to good use) but not required.  
 
Here's the link again:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

The Missing Ingredient
by Chip Brogden
There came a time in my life when I realized I was called, and I was gifted, and God had given me great revelation, but I still lacked something.
Now when I was younger I believed that having a calling from God and being gifted by God was all you needed. Then I began to learn some things by revelation and thought that was God’s seal of approval upon me.

Even so, I could not get away from the fact that there were then, and there are now, lots of people in the world besides me who are called by God, have spiritual gifts, and enjoy an abundance of revelation. But God cannot trust them in any kind of a servant leadership capacity. They may have a title or a ministry but they are unqualified because they do not have the missing ingredient. I noticed they lacked something, and worse, I lacked the same thing. Eventually I discovered what everyone, including myself, is lacking.

What is the missing ingredient? 
CONTINUE READING
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/the-missing-ingredient

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
Without the Second Pillar, God's Purpose cannot be fulfilled.
 
It's THAT important.
 
To find out what and why, join us online...
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Part 2)
Thursday, May 19, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
I hope to "see" you online!

 
I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
Last week I revealed the First Pillar of Preeminence: Christ, the Preeminent Purpose of God.
 
This week I reveal the Second Pillar of Preeminence.
 
Hiding "in plain sight" right there in the Lord's Prayer. 
 
Don't miss this one!
 
Because it's easy to get carried away with the Preeminent Purpose - I'm always accused of going too far with it, usually by people who don't stick around long enough to hear the rest of the message.
 
And if you leave with just the First Pillar then you will miss something important.
 
The truth is: Without the Second Pillar, the First Pillar cannot happen.
 
I still believe that if you grasp these four pillars, in the proper order, and you will have a better understanding of everything that God has done, is doing, and will do.
 
All will be explained in this week's Online Bible Study...
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Part 2)
Thursday, May 19, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
There is NO CHARGE for these studies... but if you can give something towards them (as the Lord leads) we will continue to give them away freely.
 
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

 
I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
 


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

What Could Be Greater Than Truth?
by Chip Brogden
What if you offer to share a truth
and are ignored? What if no doors open for you to share a truth? Why would God give truth if he doesn’t open doors to share it?

 
Those were questions I received from someone who, like me, spent many years as a “Martha,” vexed with much serving, until God called them into the wilderness to sit at his feet like Mary and just listen to Him. I understand the frustration of closed hearts and doors all too well.

In my earlier days of ministry, my whole existence revolved around “truth.” Speaking, teaching, preaching, writing, proclaiming and defending “the truth” was my whole concept of life and ministry. There is a place for truth-telling and truth-speaking. Yet...
CONTINUE READING
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/what-could-be-greater-than-truth
 

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624

An 8-part audio teaching series now available
online for "whatever you can afford."
 
LISTEN NOW
 
“They will hear My Voice, and there will be One Flock, and One Shepherd” (Jn. 10:16).
 
One of the greatest revelations I ever received was the realization that God only has One Flock and One Shepherd. Just as there is One Body with many members, so there is One Flock with many sheep – and one Shepherd. At least, that is God’s intention. What we see instead reflects the divisive spirit of religion and denominationalism: 45,000 denominations globally, not counting all the non-denominational and independent churches. Someone has said that Sunday morning is the most divided time of the week.

How do fix this? I don’t think we can. I don’t think we should. I don’t think we’re supposed to revive or reform something God never intended to begin with – we must repudiate it, not repair it.

In The School of Christ we teach the Three R’s: Remember, Repent, and Return (Rev. 2:5). That is: Remember the height from which you have fallen, Repent, and Return to your First Love. A Christ-centered faith is based on a relationship with Jesus, not a religion about Jesus.

And the “One Flock, One Shepherd” motif is a useful way to consider the uniqueness of this love relationship that triumphs over religion.

Just listen or download it from this link:
https://theschoolofchrist.org/shepherd-and-his-sheep
Listen as you wish. Share as you like. Give as you can.
 
I am your brother,
 
Chip Brogden
 

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
The First Pillar of Preeminence will be revealed at tonight's Online Bible study.
 
Will you join us?
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Part 1)
Thursday, May 12, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
Grasp these four pillars, in the proper order, and you will have a better understanding of everything that God has done, is doing, and will do.
 
I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

 

Hello Elaine,
 
There are certain "pillars of truth" that I consider foundational for all believers in Jesus.
 
Unfortunately, I don't recall hearing them taught in all my years going to church.
 
The most powerful truths in the universe have to do with PREEMINENCE.
 
God’s declared Will and Purpose is that His Son, Jesus Christ, must have the preeminence in all things.
 
That means that Christ must have the first, highest, and best possible place in the position of supremacy and ascendancy over all created things.

According to Scripture, God’s ultimate intention and purpose is “that in all things [Christ] must have preeminence” (Col. 1:18) – not just in you and me, not just in the Ekklesia, but in all creation.
 
And, if we trace the history of God’s dealings with man throughout the Bible, we see that God has been steadily and surely working towards this goal.
 
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
 
He MUST increase, therefore, He WILL increase, and He IS increasing.
 
Likewise, you MUST decrease, therefore you WILL decrease, and you ARE decreasing.
 
This is not a thing to be frightened over.
 
With less of me, there is more of Him.
 
With more of Him, there is less of me.
 
It is a wonderful thing!

To better grasp the preeminence of Christ, we will discuss it in terms of The 4 Pillars of Preeminence: four central principles that illustrate beyond all doubt that Christ is truly Lord and preeminent over all!
 
No matter how many times you've heard me talk about PREEMINENCE, you do not want to miss this series as I present new perspectives on this simple truth.
 
Once you grasp these 4 Pillars, you will never be the same again!
 
Join us as we explore these things together...
 
THE 4 PILLARS OF PREEMINENCE (Introduction)
Thursday, May 5, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
Yes, these online studies are free to attend.... however, your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer them freely.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.
 
I am your brother

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

The Goal of This Age
by Chip Brogden
I came to the realization one day that I will not be perfected in this lifetime. My wife has known this for years, but as a perfectionist the news hit me hard.

 
It should have been reassuring!  That there are “ages to come” where God will continue to demonstrate His grace and kindness to all (Eph. 2:7) – particularly to those who didn’t fully grasp it in this age – is very, very good news!
 
That means people are a work in progress.  What then is God’s goal for this age? If not spiritual perfection, then perhaps it is something more attainable...
CONTINUE READING
https://theschoolofchrist.org/the-goal-of-this-age


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement - I am back and looking forward to sharing my heart with you this week.
 
Previously, we discussed how the failure of the Institutional Church to preserve a Christ-centered faith illustrates the perilous times that Paul warned about.
 
We live in a time where Christ-centered spiritual leadership is desperately and urgently needed, but many of God’s people are going through the motions of Churchianity without any power.
 
Or, they have come out of Babylon and are wandering the wilderness like sheep without a shepherd.
 
Not to mention all the lost sheep of the world who have yet to see and hear a clear testimony of Jesus from people who are supposed to bear His Name.
 
I would say these things underscore the need for shepherds after God’s own heart.
 
But what does a Christ-centered shepherd look like? What do they do? And where can we find them?
 
We’ll discuss those things in the next and final message.
 
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (Part 7)
Thursday, April 28, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
These online studies are free to attend, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer them freely.
 
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

The Purpose of All Ministry
by Chip Brogden
When we are introduced to a new ministry and we wish to test its authenticity and spiritual value, we need only ask ourselves two questions: is this ministry centered upon Jesus Christ, and does it bring people into a deeper, more experiential knowing of Him?

 
If we wish to evaluate someone who claims to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, we can apply the same test: is this person centered on Jesus Christ? And when they do whatever it is that they do (preach, teach, prophesy, sing, plant churches, etc.), does it bring people into a deeper, more experiential knowing of Him?

Some may think that kind of test is too severe. Why, if we applied this criteria to every minister and ministry in the world (they say) then we would probably disqualify a majority of workers and works that are doing the Church and mankind a great service. Yes, we probably would. Yet in terms of value to the Kingdom of God, if the work is not Christ-centered and does nothing to bring people into a mature relationship with Him then it has no value to God and is worthless in His sight...
CONTINUE READING
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/the-purpose-of-all-ministry
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Overcoming Death: The Last Enemy
by Chip Brogden
In the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, God demonstrates His desire to overcome and eliminate death once and for all. Death, to God, is unacceptable. Death is an enemy that must be resisted, must be overcome, and ultimately must be destroyed altogether.
 
I have been to too many funerals where death is celebrated as a “Graduation Day” for saints, a celestial “homecoming” for the dearly departed. We are sometimes told that God “took” a person because His purpose for them on earth was fulfilled; or, that God needed another angel for His heavenly choir, or another flower for His heavenly garden, or some other such nonsense.

Why do we make God responsible for “taking” people in death? It seems our problem is not so much with God as with our religious conceptions of Who we think God is and what we think God does.
 
Death is not part of God’s perfect plan, but is the result of man’s rebellion against God’s perfect plan. Death is an alien intrusion into God’s perfectly good creation. God warned Adam that death would result from disobedience, and so it did. Adam “died” spiritually the day he chose an independent path from his Creator. But Adam’s failure did not change God’s love for him, and did not hinder God’s ability to reach out and provide a way of escape to Adam. God is against death.
 
In Christ we see the end result of that “way of escape...” 
CONTINUE READING
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/overcoming-death-the-last-enemy

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3).
Friend, that time is not longer coming, but is already here.
Join us tonight as we discuss how (and why) Christianity got off track... and what we need to do now.
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (Part 6)
Thursday, April 14, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
We have seen that in theory, and in practice, the Holy Spirit appointed (and the apostles confirmed) the calling of pastors in the Early Ekklesia – older brothers who were to watch over the people and feed them as a shepherd.
 
This formed the positive work of building up and edifying in Christ, as well as the negative work of defending against ravenous wolves, the stormy winds of doctrinal debates, and all the other distractions from the simplicity of a Christ-centered faith.
 
But Paul also warns that some of these pastors would speak perverse things and draw away disciples after themselves.
 
He later warned that "some will depart from the faith" - that is, from the Christ-centered faith based on Relationship - and this would lead to the mess of Institutional Religion that we see today that "has a form of godliness" but has no power.
 
How can this be?
 
Why would God allow it?
 
And how can we recognize and discern it?
 
We’ll explore these things in this weeks Online Bible Study...
 
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (Part 6)
Thursday, April 14, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
These online studies are free to attend, but we appreciate your gift (of any amount) that makes them possible.
 
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

 
I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Till We All Come
by Chip Brogden
Many people question whether or not apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are for today.
 
We wish to emphasize a relational Christianity. We hope to do away with the artificial distinction between the professional clergy and the non-professional layman.

We want to ensure that Christ is the Head of His Church, and not some man or woman who holds a title, position, or office. We desire to see a priesthood of believers functioning within a community of like-minded brothers and sisters. Naturally, this causes some people to wonder how the ministry gifts fit into this model of Christianity. Does Ephesians 4:11 apply to us today? If so, how?
 
If we truly understand the purpose of these ministry functions then the problem of their relevance today is solved... 
CONTINUE READING
  https://theschoolofchrist.org/till-we-all-come 

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

New: Video Teaching Library
Hello Elaine,
 
Some like to read, some like to listen.
 
But if you are a visually-oriented learner who prefers watching a video then this is for you.
 
Our Video Teaching Library is finally online, and we are adding YEARS worth of Christ-centered teaching.
 
Best of all, you get f.r.e.e. access to all the content here:
https://theschoolofchrist.org/watch
 
We hope this will be a valuable resource for you and for anyone who wants to discover the freedom and joy of a Christ-centered faith.
 
Thank you for your support that empowers us to freely offer these teachings.
 
 
I am you brother,
 
 
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
ACCESS NOW
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/watch

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd / Pastor / Head of the Ekklesia, do we need pastors in the Ekklesia at all?
 
Certainly, the potential exists for shepherds to abuse their sheep and take advantage of their position.
 
But this risk of abuse did not discourage Jesus from appointing Peter and the rest of the Twelve to shepherd the flock of God in His Name.
 
Jesus told Peter: "Feed My sheep."
 
The sheep do not belong to Peter, but to Jesus.
 
Even so, Jesus gave Peter a stewardship as an undershepherd.
 
And Peter did not teach that only he and the original apostles were the only ones authorized to shepherd the sheep.
 
Clearly, Jesus authorized appointing good shepherds in the Ekklesia.
 
But this is the ideal, and we now must consider the reality.
 
How were pastors supposed to function in the Ekklesia?
 
How did they actually function?
 
And what went so badly wrong that turned pastors into bishops, and spiritual service into professional clergy?
 
We’ll explore these things in this weeks Online Bible Study...
 
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (Part 5)
Thursday, April 7, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
It's free to join - but if you believe in what we are doing, please give as you feel led of the Lord. 
 
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Spiritual Leadership: Who Needs It?
by Chip Brogden
All around us, institutions are failing and losing influence.
 
Governments are in turmoil. Our schools are a mess. The Institutional Church is compromised and has lost its moral and spiritual authority. Our communities are in crisis. Marriage is being re-defined and the Biblical idea of “family” is becoming more and more of a rarity.
As people lose faith in these institutions and the people who lead them they are tempted to dismiss the idea of leadership altogether – particularly when the only leadership they have ever experienced has been an autocratic, dictatorial kind of leadership. When it comes to spiritual leadership, this causes many believers to say, “Who needs leaders? We all have the Holy Spirit. Let’s just be led of the Lord!”
 
This sounds perfectly acceptable in theory; but in actual practice, we see that God still raises up and uses spiritual leadership to bring His people where He wants them to be. He certainly could have just led everyone directly by His Spirit. But the fact of the matter is: only the spiritual can be led by the Spirit. Having the Spirit does not automatically mean we are governed by that Spirit and able to be led by that Spirit...
CONTINUE READING
 https://theschoolofchrist.org/spiritual-leadership-who-needs-it  

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
 
Funny... many pastors question whether PROPHETS or TONGUES are for today.
 
I think we should question whether PASTORS are for today!
 
I'm perfectly content with Jesus being my Pastor.
 
But do we need pastors today in the Ekklesia?
 
Join us for tonight's Online Bible Study...
 
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (Part 4)
Thursday, March 31, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
I hope to "see" you online!

 
I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
 
 


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

 

Discerning the Spiritual Battlefield
by Chip Brogden
The Book of Revelation is not only telling us what is happening in the future but it is also tells us what happens in the past – because I have learned that the best way to interpret the future is to interpret the past.

The best indication of a person’s future behavior is to look at their previous behavior. It’s not to say that people can’t change, it only means that people seldom change. They usually don’t change. If you want to get a good indication of what they’re going to be like in the future just look at how they have behaved up until that point. That’s why we need to be new creations. We need the Lord to come in and do a miracle, because apart from the miracle of God in our life, we human beings are not naturally prone to change. We like to keep things just the way they are. Someone who doesn’t know the Lord, or someone who claims to know Him but is not walking with Him, or is in a carnal state of being… They’re probably not going to change unless something dramatic happens.
 
In the same way we can look at history, and we make the observation that history tends to repeat itself; and the reason it repeats itself is because people seldom change. Things may change, but people seldom change, and therefore history tends to repeat itself. That’s true if it’s your personal history, or if it’s the history of nations, or the history of mankind...
CONTINUE READING
   https://theschoolofchrist.org/discerning-the-spiritual-battlefield
 

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624

Hello Elaine,
 
I hope you can join us for this week's Online Bible Study...
 
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (PART 3)
Thursday, March 24, 2022
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
 
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
 
The Good Shepherd is the Best Shepherd, outshines all others, and provides the example for all shepherds who follow after.
 
We sure do need to know what makes Him so GOOD - so we can quickly discern those shepherds who aren't following Him.
 
I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://ChipBrogden.com
 
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA