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yet sometimes delineated for specific purposes to be defined and discussed later) become organized within the critical institutions of our society to most positively influence contemporary life for the common good, blessing, goodness, and grace will flow over the land as the waters fill the seas (Hab. 2:14).

      What we hope to present here is the all-important sense of vision and perspective that will focus all our many efforts to seek and attain a life worth living for ourselves and our loved ones. What follows in these pages is not an attempt to outline a new gospel, but to reveal the radical implications for all of society of the original good news Jesus brought to earth. We want to provide a perspective to leaders and citizens of the way the gospel Jesus proclaimed can affect and transform our societies and lead them to shalom. This is not a Faustian effort. It’s a revolution that happens one heart, one leader, one family, one neighborhood, one organization at a time.

      An ancient parable tells of a traveler journeying through a medieval village one morning on his way to visit a relative in a distant town. As he enters the village through the far gate, he quickly encounters a stone carver struggling to load a very large, recently honed boulder onto his cart. The traveler asks the laborer, “What are you doing?” Frustrated under the weight of his task, the stone carver grunts to the stranger, “I am working for my bread.” As the traveler continues through the village, he comes upon another laborer shaping a large stone with chisel and hammer. He asks the second stone carver, “What are you doing?” The laborer answers, “I am an apprentice perfecting my trade of carving stone.” Finally, on the far edge of the village the traveler comes to another laborer sanding and smoothing his recently fashioned stone. He asks the third stone carver, “What are you doing?” Sweat dripping from his face, the laborer replies with pride, “I’m building a cathedral.” We are building more than cathedrals. We are building the very kingdom of God.

      The Divine Conspiracy dealt directly with why we might want to repent of our past understanding of life and living. But we can’t stop with why. We have to get into what Jesus is doing and will do about his project of overcoming evil with good while simultaneously transforming the kingdoms of our contemporary world, individually and collectively, into the kingdom of our God and of his Christ, who will reign forever and ever. The what of the kingdom life comes into greater focus and ceases being such an overwhelming burden when we discover that it is found within the easy and light yoke directed by the hand of an expert guide and friend. We can know how to live, move, and have our being in the shalom of the Good Shepherd. Jesus introduces us to that reality and proves that we can know where our hope and power to thrive lie—both individually and communally. He frees us to actually find what we are looking for, right now, where we are, if we want to.

      It is time we focus on what we must do to build the foundations for life and living that Jesus articulates and then helps to manifest among us. For those ready to engage the topic of our collective life with God that will eventually consume our lives for the rest of eternity, let’s take a step into forever, now.

      GOD’S KINGDOM AND THE CALL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

       Discussion Questions for Chapters 1–3

      At the end of some chapters are discussion questions designed to encourage both individual reflection and group dialog. The authors’ hope is that reflecting on these questions will allow readers to better unpack and integrate the insights and ideas within each section of the book.

      In these introductory chapters, Willard and Black seek to make the case that all followers of Jesus Christ have the responsibility in their sphere of influence to teach, proclaim, model, and intentionally live out the reality of God’s “divine conspiracy.” Since we live at the “mercy of our ideas,” the following questions will help you to examine your thoughts about the kingdom of God, the kingdoms of this world, and our vocations in light of God’s calling upon our lives.

      1. What life experiences led you into your present vocation? As a leader who influences others, you often reflect those who have influenced you. Who were the role models who worked to form you in your current role? How did they influence your vision, mission, values, conduct, character, and communication?

      2. When was the first time you heard a teaching about the “kingdom of God”? Did that teaching include the idea that God’s kingdom is presently available and accessible, or was it assumed that the kingdom of God is only a future reality? Share with one another how these dissimilar teachings on the kingdom of God affect our thinking, behaviors, and vocational responsibilities. Discuss what you believe is God’s overarching mission or goal for our world.

      3. Willard and Black suggest that there are significant problems (i.e., inaccurate views of the end times and of the purposes of the gospel) in many of our churches and Christian institutions of higher learning that have hindered us from experiencing God’s rule through his Son, Jesus, the king. Do you agree or disagree with the authors’ viewpoints? What is the “good news” according to Jesus Christ? What other problems may be created, although unintended, in our Christian doctrines and beliefs that have hindered both individuals and organizations from more fully living in the reality of God’s kingdom? Give support for your views.

      4. The authors suggest that one of the best places for us to begin developing a better understanding of the kingdom of God in our contemporary contexts is found in the concept of shalom, or peace, defined in Psalm 23. Do you believe a Psalm 23 kind of life is preferable or even possible? If so, how is it possible?

      5. Fear is the absence of shalom. Proverbs 29:25 states: “The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.” How does fear separate us from the peace of God? How does our fear separate us from others? How does fear make us compare ourselves with others or seek dominance over them? In what ways does fear distort what is true? Give examples.

      6. Exercise: Seek to memorize Psalm 23. Read it daily for the next thirty days slowly, focusing on both the images and ideas it conveys.

CHAPTER 4

       Servant Leadership

       A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

      LUKE 22:24-27

      IF THE KINGDOMS of our contemporary world are to be transformed into a kingdom that manifests the grace, truth, justice, and mercy of Christ the king, there must be leaders who are willing and able to demonstrate Christlike qualities and courage and then use them to influence the power structures of contemporary society. Today, the roles and responsibilities of our leaders cannot be underestimated. In a world overtaken by an instantaneous, global media culture, leaders do not need to be of international renown for the consequences of their words and actions to have immediate, international effects. Thus, in many ways a leader’s ability to influence, guide, and direct has never been more powerful.

      However, the degree of impotent, misguided, and ineffectual leadership also appears to be on the rise. Evidence of it is seen not only in our elected officials and the political quagmires and deadlock they produce, but also in leaders responsible for our educational systems, our financial and medical institutions, our legal proceedings, and our religious organizations. Therefore it is imperative that we reimagine the overarching call or vocation of a leader in order to create the most beneficial environments possible for shalom and well-being to flourish.

      Primarily, leaders are those who are

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