May 2, 2016
Christian Leaders.
That’s our market; they’re featured in our Mission Statement: “To prepare Christian leaders to change their world and build God’s Kingdom through their irresistible lifestyles and influential works of service.”
Followers need managers to tell them where to be, and what to do. Managers need leaders to cast vision and define the strategies that the managers will execute. Leaders are the Great Minority – the crucial 10% – who motivate and sophisticate the majority in any movement.
The first cohort of The Master’s Program was underway with 60 men in Southern California when a great advancement occurred: some influential wives raised their hand and said, “What about us?” They were watching their husbands advance through TMP, and wondered what we were going to do for them.
The beta groups formed quickly: with a short ramp-up, Cheri Shank and Anne Miller formed groups of women who used the same curricular content and strategic group approach used by the men. Led by women, for women, it didn’t take long to see comparable outcomes among significant women: they were discovering their own calling, partnering with their husbands, and engaging a new approach to their lives of influence.
It wasn’t long before Sandy Olsson – bringing years of collaboration as part of our ministry staff – found her Calling in leading the fast-emerging Master’s Program for Women (TMP/W).
Paul figured out how to expand his impact for the Kingdom: “Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people… I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23 from The Message)
The Master’s Program has a big tent; the leadership under our non-profit umbrella has been launching and mobilizing ministry expansions for over 15 years. The first of those was TMP/W, and has allowed us to support and encourage a unique effort – by women, for women – that God is using to help unleash the potential He has entrusted to women who are Christian leaders.
Currently, 226 women are participating in TMP/W groups; 400 have graduated, across the United States and Canada. Earlier this year, TMP/W was launched in India. There are 10 TMP/W Coaches who are leading those groups, supported by regional and national leadership.
“Why didn’t we know all of this?” Answer: they have their own website, with great personal stories and movement highlights that keep their gender community current. See for yourself: themastersprogramforwomen.org.
It’s Mother’s Day week. If your mom is still around, you’ve got six days to get ready to honor her. If she’s not – and, you’re a man whose wife is the mother of your children – the stakes are just as high: get ready to elect her to sainthood in the first round of voting. Moms always deserve more than they get; Mother’s Day is a chance for the people around them to get caught-up…
The women in/around The Master’s Program deserve a shout-out as well. Many are moms; but they’ve found that their contribution to the Kingdom includes their family role and more. This is my Hallmark card to the women who are leading into their Kingdom futures!
Bob Shank
There is an especially poignant moment in the film, The End of the Spear, when Nate Saint is preparing to take off and journey with the other four to the landing site where they hope to make direct contact with the Waodani. This is risky. Everyone knows it. His son, a very young Steve Saint is clearly anxious about what this might mean for his dad.
As Nate is loading the plane and preparing to say farewell, Steve asks, “If the Waodani attack, will you protect yourself? Will you use your guns?” Nate squats down, looks at his son eye to eye, and tries to explain:
“Son, we can’t shoot the Waodani. They’re not ready for heaven. We are.”
Nate Saint was a Christian and a Leader. Glad to see The Master’s Program for Women is preparing Christians for leadership too.