Standing on the edge of the future is like standing alone at the edge of the sea. There are voices calling in all directions, but the light on the horizon beckons, and we must go.

For the past 54 weeks, I have lived, and moved, and found much of my being in this great community of faith. There is so much to celebrate here, that it would be easy to count our blessings, rejoice in our fellowship and let the world go away. Yet, we are called, as the old saying goes, not to sit on the premises, but to stand on the promises. We cannot simply rejoice in our past; we must embrace God's future for our life together. Over the next several weeks, I would like to articulate a vision for Brentwood United Methodist Church.

Let me begin today by declaring some abiding principles, some core values, som…