Stephen Kiernan, a journalist, author, and instructor, focused his latest book on how people can bring about societal change as they serve others.
Kiernan is the guest on this week’s Shaping Families radio program. The founder of the “B1 campaign,” a drive to encourage everyone over the age of 10 to volunteer in some way, Kiernan says of the value of volunteering, “You throw the stone in water and there are ripples; who knows where they end?”
Kiernan began to pay attention to the ripples brought about by volunteering when he interviewed hospice volunteers and was intrigued to find that they were among the happiest and most satisfied people he had ever met.
In his book, "Authentic Patriotism" (St. Martin’s Press, 2010), Kiernan interviewed 1,500 people and highlighted 60 specific stories and eight individuals. Kiernan encourages families to model volunteering for their children and believes serving others helps communities and nations attend to the many problems and issues that confront society today.
“Anyone can make a difference on problems facing us," he said. "I believe that [volunteering] is a chance to create new kinds of community around the idea of making a difference."
Publisher’s Weekly said the book offered a “heartfelt look at everyday heroes who are reshaping society.”
The website for Shaping Families will feature prominent links to the Mennonite Voluntary Service programs in association with this program.
The Shaping Families program, produced by Third Way Media through Mennonite Mission Network, is now airing each weekend on 17 local stations and online at www.ShapingFamilies.com.
