The Library of Congress has selected this book.
Ervay provides an unequaled opportunity for believers to read his essays on diverse topics, to understand how to serve all of God’s people with charity and kindness.
Creative Empathy is meant to help people of faith understand that belief in God is more than a single dimension focusing on obedience. This intriguing book includes such topics as: what does empathy mean, using our creative services with others, lyrics that resound with freedom for all human beings, discussions of deep faith, and conviction.
Whether you’re looking for a Christian leadership book or you are learning to listen to others, Creative Empathy will help you to understand not only how to be more empathetic, but also what it truly means to be a servant leader who listens with no judgment, while remaining open—like Jesus calls us to be.
EDUCATORS WITH THE COURAGE
TO REFORM LOCAL SCHOOLS
H.G.Wells:
How can American schools change their framework for student learning? Piecemeal repairs to a thoroughly broken system are not enough.
A misguided national school improvement policy and confusing modifications are no procedural quick fix to these problems. The New Learning Infrastructure offers a systemic way of thinking, leading, and acting by local decision-makers and professional educators
with the courage to act. Some changes include: teacher partnerships and teaming, assertive local academic leaders, and strong chief academic officers and building leaders. With a redesigned curriculum and a redefined definition of accountability, teachers become professional somebodies. The New Learning
Infrastructure offers techniques and a cultural
determination to make American schools better.
In this book Ervay incorporates the influence of history on present day America, showing how caring for each other has been influenced by the intent of the nation’s founders, mixed with the beliefs associated with serious social changes throughout the decades. Debates and conflicts shaped who we are today. The situation became and continues to be complicated by our novel form of government, images of who and what we want to be in the world, and the amazing growth of technologically based industry. We continue to be conflicted with ever more sophisticated forms of technology, confusion as to how we educate our young people, and the extent to which we welcome into our midst human beings from other parts of the world. The introduction of capitalistically influenced motivations has further complicated our moral and ethical beliefs and behaviors. The proper role of government in the caring of others continues to be contentious. Meeting all those challenge—and more—requires us to redefine and expand the power of empathy. That effort requires focus and real work. This book explains why, giving examples of how it has been done before.
As a commentary on the importance of politics, No, That’s Just Politics addresses a topic that many Americans try to avoid for understandable reasons. In this era, conversations about politics are often uncomfortable and create a polarization among families and friends. Too often conversations are cut short by someone saying, “No, That’s Just Politics.” However, Stu Ervay believes that viewpoint is dangerous. Fatally dangerous. History tells us that political positions have been the precursor to the rise of dictatorships and subsequent tragedies. Currently, a Russian leader is trying to re-establish the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by invading surrounding independent nations such as Ukraine. As evident from history, tens of thousands of human beings are being slaughtered to satisfy the ambitions of this dictatorial leader. A leader who has convinced most of the people in Russia that his is the correct kind of politics. Many smaller examples are evident everywhere in the world. And America is not immune. It is time we understand the importance of valid political discourse.
What is a maverick and how can we recognize true mavericks in today’s world?
Growing up in the American West in the mid-twentieth century, the goal of becoming a
constructive maverick created a certain appeal. Yet what would be the downside of becoming a true maverick?
Mavericks in a herd of cattle avoid being branded. Human mavericks have courage often based on important religious beliefs, inspiring experiences, and moral convictions. Out-of-the-box thinking and acting are beneficial and even necessary. Jesus Christ, as God on earth, showed us the importance of love and service, especially within cultures with different values. Yet to be mavericks for Christ, we may have to challenge our culture’s traditional practices.
Join Stu Ervay in his compilation book of essays, blog posts, and reflections that invite us to consider the important issue of becoming a modern-day maverick.
WORDS, PHRASES, AND BEHAVIORS THAT ATTEMPT TO LEAD WITHOUT RATIONAL DISCOURSE
The government of the United States depends on leaders who communicate with each other in constructive ways. Such leaders work in teams to solve problems, generate ideas, consider other points of view, and earn the support of the public in honest and appealing ways. Basically: Rational Discourse.
Sometimes leaders emerge who avoid or disdain rational discourse. For reasons offered in this book, such leaders achieve high office through personalities that seem powerful and decisive. They appear capable of wonderful things done for the benefit of their followers. They are absolute in their beliefs and intentions. Charismatic in their presentation. But leaders who avoid or disdain Rational Discourse achieve a kind of political imagery that results in dysfunctional or brutal insanity. An outcome that leads to death and social disarray.
Discover the five words connected with political imagery. Consider how the Hollywood effect has branded our political system. Take a step closer to the need for more Rational Discourse in our nation and our world.
The Teacher As Somebody
Skills that Make Teaching a True Profession
The Teacher as Somebody details the creative conditions where teachers become thoroughly empowered for academic leadership, decision-making and action-taking.
Especially relevant in today’s COVID-19 climate, this book links academic goals to innovative instructional strategies, enabling teachers to be the expert curriculum developers. The underlying premise of The Teacher as Somebody debunks traditional school district management systems. Instead, a complete overhaul is offered, affecting academic decision-making and action-taking processes. Thus, teachers become advocates for their own innate abilities as well as the students they inspire.
The message of The Teacher as Somebody is an outgrowth of 30+ years of educational experience as well as a definitive link to The Curriculum Leadership Institute (cliweb.org). CLI’s success provides evidence that The Teacher as Somebody is not simply one author’s idea. It is a direct reflection of what actually works to improve the American educational system.
Confronting Dementia
A Husband’s Journey as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver
Confronting Dementia: A Husband’s Journey as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver helps husbands work through the caregiving challenges associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Stu Ervay tells his story as the primary support for his beloved wife, Barbara. Personal experience is insightful, but an even broader perspective is possible with interviews and stories from other men in the caregiving situation. While Confronting Dementia: A Husband’s Journey as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver encourages understanding, it is not a list of do’ s and don’ts. Every Alzheimer’s caregiver knows there are no easy answers. Each story offers reflections on who and what good men are. Those who genuinely love their wives. Husbands, wives, marriages, and families are different. How Alzheimer’s impacts them is also different. These differences and why they exist merge into a variety of circumstances husbands might encounter and offers ways they might be handled.
Ervay's Survey 