Making History Together

March 2, 2015

The world changed on January 9, 2007.

Steve Jobs used the platform at Macworld in San Francisco to make this pronouncement: “We’re going to make some history together today.”  Before he finished, he unveiled the first iPhone. Deliveries began on June 29th. Today, 600 million iPhones – in eight different generations – have been sold.

We’re going to make some history together today.

I’m using this virtual platform – my weekly Point of View – to unveil a movement that will change the world and build God’s Kingdom. Today marks the launch of Master’s OnLine.

Twenty years ago, TMP was conceived over lunch in Chicago. Bob Buford – author of Halftime, one of my mentors – challenged me to challenge leaders to a higher calling. That vision birthed a strategy that has now touched thousands of participants – and, through their callings, millions of beneficiaries – because men and women who have been called to produce fruit are 100x multipliers. Click here to meet 12 men and women who have been forever impacted through their time in TMP.

We’ve seen astounding results from TMP since our first “deliveries,” back in 1997. But, we’ve been somewhat limited: imagine if every iPhone was handmade, in a technology lab, instead of scaling the production to meet the demand. What would we need to do to reach further, going deeper?

A recurring declaration by TMP grads: “I wish I had TMP when I was younger!”  We’re asked, constantly: “What are you doing for the ‘next generation?’”  For two decades, our participants have been Boomers (now 50 ), and Gen Xers (now 35-50), and they both see the Millennials in their wake (now 18-35) and are wondering: who’s going to help them through the minefield of young adulthood in a culture that is increasingly bereft of meaning and models?

We’ve had great impact with the Millennials who have become TMPers, but this generation (80 million, in America) is challenged. Student debt; underemployment; delayed life-launch has millions back home and waiting for a breakthrough. For them, time and money are tight; they can’t get a day off during the week. They are comfortable in an on-line community, and use their mobile device to “do” life. They’re everywhere… but they’re not within an hour’s drive of a TMP satellite site, for a “live” group meeting, once per quarter. How about three years on-line for the cost of one year, “live?”

Noah Elias is a 2x graduate of The Master’s Program; he’s an artist and entrepreneur for whom I’ve been a mentor for over 20 years. He’s my co-presenter and partner in TMP OL; he’s the Gen X leader who’s helping me – the Boomer leader – impact Millennial leaders. Sounds biblical…

A three-year experience – with video content delivered every week, in TED-styled focus and brevity – building themes of balance, margin and focus that have been the hallmarks of TMP. Social media that will bring the participants together to connect and process; content and application that will give new foundations for a life of order and influence; experience-based testimonials from TMP grads that validate the brand… and a monthly “live” Q&A on-line that will give everyone a chance to be heard.

Made for Millennials… but we’ve already had Boomers and Xers say they want to test-drive it! Grads of TMP 1.0 will benefit from the refresher they would get from TMP OL. Whosoever will…

Want to test-drive Master’s OnLine? We’ve created a crisp, three-part video intro – “Life: Some Assembly Required” – giving a chance to explore the experience before they enroll. Take 10 minutes and see what we’re offering: click here to watch the video on-ramp for Master’s OnLine.

Forward this e-mail – with a personal intro – to anyone you think would benefit from this incredible opportunity! The iPhone won’t be in Eternity… but the fruit of the lives of Christian leaders impacted by TMP OL will be, in 100x potential! Go to www.masters.life and check it out!

Bob Shank