[Editor's Note:  In last month's Zipline it was announced that Tom Garasha is transitioning off the EFCA West Team as of October 31.  If you would like to stay in touch with Tom, his email is TomGarasha@gmail.com.]

It has been our privilege for the past nine years to serve with a gifted team and gifted leader for EFCA West. Lynn and I pray we have been an integral part of the team and have given our all to be a Barnabas to hundreds of pastors. Thanks for the opportunity to serve the many pastors in our district.

  

I have learned over the years that when my passion and energy is waning in one ministry, God challenges me to take on the next "mountain to climb."  At 67 He has clearly spoken that it's time for a new challenge.  That challenge has yet to be clarified, so I would ask you for prayers as we make this transition. In the meantime, our prayer is that we will "finish well."  God bless.

In light of Tom Garasha's transition, Paul Schliep is stepping into the role of Director of Pastoral Care for EFCA West beginning November 1.  Paul has served on the EFCA West team since September 2006 in various roles related to Theology, Credentialing, Administration, and Communication.  Every staff person with EFCA West seeks to strengthen the churches.  Paul's new role will specifically focus on strengthening the pastors who serve the churches of EFCA West.

It is not too early to begin planning for youth from your church to attend Challenge 2016, July 3-7 in Louisville, KY.  Challenge Conference is a catalytic environment challenging students to live on mission with Jesus every day, everywhere and with everyone.  Check out the Challenge 2016 website for more information.

In her article "Are Small Churches the Next Big Thing?,"  Ruth Moon speaks as a millennial to the issues of structure and relationship.  "Millennials are looking more for relationships than for a program," says Karl Vaters (NewSmallChurch.com), who wrote  The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches, and the Small Thinking that Divides Us. "[Our grandparents] took relationships for granted but needed to build structures. The millennial generation takes these structures for granted and needs to build relationships."

In a recent blog Are Evangelicals More Revisionist on Marriage than We Think?, Trevin Wax spoke to the ways in which evangelicals became so focused on the marriages "out there" that they didn't see the changes they were making in regards to marriage "in here."  Trevin has timely points to consider as the American culture continues to change.

Chuck Lawless writes about "Why Pastors Have Few Deep Friendships." Pastors often minister among people they say they love, but don't know well. Dr. Lawless shares ten reasons why many pastors often struggle with finding friends.

Eric Geiger identifies four types of leaders as it relates to their ability to handle criticism and their ability to care deeply for and minister to those in their charge.  Is it possible to have both "thick skin" and a "tender heart?"  Read Thick Skin, Tender Hearts, and Four Types of Leaders.

Steve Hopper recommends a new resource entitled "Every Man A Warrior-Helping Men Succeed in Life."  The series has 3 books with 9-10 lessons each.  "It is for men who want to become the warriors God intends, not living lives of mediocrity, but maturing and becoming equipped in the areas where men fight and need to win." To read more, click here.