About Jane Fryar
I’ve been blessed by God to teach and write for his people for several decades now–most recently at CTA!
I’m single and live in the St. Louis area with Marty the Wonder Dog.
By Jane Fryar on May 16, 2012
The apostle Paul was single. He had no children. But have you ever considered how powerfully God used him as a father-figure? Consider: Paul “adopted” Timothy. The apostle became a mentor, an encourager, a father in the faith for Timothy—and later on for Titus, too. Paul invited Timothy (whom he called his “beloved and faithful [...]
Posted in Devotions, Encouragement, Father's Day, Men's Ministry, Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas Tagged Father's Day, men's ministry, Sermon Ideas
By Jane Fryar on May 2, 2012
It seemed almost pointless to play the 1978 Orange Bowl. The Oklahoma Sooners, all but unbeatable that year, were a 21-point favorite. Then Arkansas lost four key players the week before the game. One had been injured, and Arkansas’s coach had benched three others for breaking team rules. That coach was Lou Holtz, who later [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Christian Worker, Church staff, Church Volunteers, Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Men's Ministry, Ministry, Pastor, Sunday School, Teachers, Women's Ministry, Youth Ministry Tagged appreciating volunteers, church staff, encouraging volunteers, managing volunteers
By Jane Fryar on April 25, 2012
In last week’s post, we talked about the pros and cons of using Facebook as a tool for connecting with youth group members. If you haven’t read that article, check it out! This week, we will look at how to set up a Facebook Group, step-by-step and then talk about the ins and outs of [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Christian Worker, Church staff, Encouragement, Pastor, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged children's pastor, online ministry, social media and ministry, Youth Ministry, youth pastor
By Jane Fryar on April 24, 2012
Editor’s note: How will you honor those who will graduate from high school, college, and graduate programs this spring? Here’s a “Sending Service” you can use or adapt. In addition, CTA has several value-priced items you might give as reminders to your graduates of God’s love in Christ! Adapt this commissioning/sending service to your setting [...]
Posted in Encouragement, Free Resources, Graduation, Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Sunday School, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged commissioning service, Graduation, honoring grads, sending service
By Jane Fryar on April 18, 2012
A recent survey of youth ministers brought a growing concern to CTA’s attention. Across denominations, adult leaders are telling us it’s harder and harder to compete with all the other activities in which youth are engaged. As we brainstormed that issue on staff, one thought that surfaced was meeting kids where they are—online. So how [...]
Posted in Christian Worker, Church Volunteers, Outreach/Evangelism, Youth Ministry Tagged children's pastor, ministry and social media, online ministry, Youth Ministry
By Jane Fryar on April 17, 2012
This time of year, activities in Christian schools, Sunday schools, CCD classes, choirs, Awana, and Bible clubs begin winding to a close. In a few weeks, the children and youth you have worked with for multiple weeks, months, or perhaps even years will move on—to a different class, school, or community. Perhaps one of the [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Christian Worker, Church staff, Church Volunteers, Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Graduation, Grandparents Day, Youth Ministry Tagged affirming kids, children's pastor, DCE, DRE, encouraging children, encouraging kids, youth pastor
By Jane Fryar on April 16, 2012
Editor’s note: This is Volunteer Appreciation Week. For that reason, we have included a free devotion you can use to thank the volunteers who serve with you and to remind them of the blessings their service brings. This particular reading comes from CTA’s devotion book for church staff and volunteers, Thanking God for Your Servant [...]
Posted in Christian Worker, Church staff, Church Volunteers, Devotions, Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Men's Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Sunday School, Teachers, Women's Ministry, Youth Ministry Tagged encouraging church staff, encouraging volunteers, free devotion
By Jane Fryar on April 9, 2012
Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Focus: Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory in our Lord Jesus Christ! In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul details the blessings Jesus’ resurrection has secured for all believers. He describes what happens to us when life here on earth ends. The picture he paints floods our hearts [...]
Posted in Christian Worker, Church staff, Church Volunteers, Devotions, Easter, Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Men's Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Sunday School, Teachers, Women's Ministry Tagged Easter, encouraging church staff, encouraging church volunteers, free devotion
By Jane Fryar on April 3, 2012
Getting Ready Prepare two “newspapers” with the front page of each showing the following scenes. The first paper will have the headline: “Jesus Dies.” Paste a picture of Jesus on the cross under the headline. The second paper will have the headline: “Jesus is Alive!” Paste a picture of the empty tomb or some other [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Devotions, Easter, Encouragement, Holy Week, Lent/Preparing for Easter, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Sunday School, Teachers Tagged children's pastor, DCE, DRE, free devotion for Holy Week, Holy Week, kids devotion for Easter
By Jane Fryar on March 13, 2012
Editor’s note: This blog is written by one of CTA’s newest authors, Jody Token. She recently submitted a youth journal for us, designed to accompany the theme, Journey to the Cross. It will bless your youth (ages 12-18) at any time of year, not just at Easter. I found my 13-year-old daughter in tears. Even [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Christian Worker, Church staff, Easter, Encouragement, Holy Week, Lent/Preparing for Easter, Ministry, Pastor, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged journaling, Youth Ministry