Biography

Jane began her professional career teaching high school English at Campion Academy in Colorado and then College View Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska. She did full-time or contract teaching in the areas of English at colleges where her husband was teaching: Union College, Nebraska; Atlantic Union College,
Massachusetts; and Andrews University, Michigan. She has served as public relations director and associate director for Andrews University. After obtaining her doctoral degree in 1996, she began serving as assessment director and religious education teacher for Andrews University, eventually becoming Director of the Religious Education programs. In 2007 she retired and was named Associate Professor of Religious Education, Emerita. She continues working with doctoral students and their dissertations. Jane is married to Jerome Thayer and has two married sons and twin grandchildren.

Current Research or Professional Activities

Jane’s research interests include assessment of spirituality. The instrument she developed, the Christian Spiritual Participation Profile, continues to be used by doctoral students from seminaries and Christian universities in various parts of the United States and a few other countries. She also has a continuing interest in the spiritual life of young adults. In recent years, Jane’s professional interest has focused on discipling, especially new believers. At the request of the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, she is currently writing four “quarterlies,” Bible Study Guides for new members. These quarterlies contain new features which have required research on new believer’s challenges and their personal stories. Her next project will be completing and refining a textbook that she has written, titled Teaching for Discipleship.