Standing at the Threshold

Sunday, June 29, 2025, was a threshold moment in the life of New City Church. You know what a threshold is, right? Thresholds are more than just a strip of wood or stone under a doorway. A threshold is a line that we cross that marks a transition from one realm to another.  

The Psalmist recognized the profound significance of a threshold when he wrote, “I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people. (Psalm 84:10 CSB) He recognized that there's something powerful about being positioned at the entrance to sacred space where God's presence dwells among His people, where a community gathers at the beginning of something new.

That is why I chose to read Psalm 84 as the first scripture in the first public gathering of New City Church. Although this was not the launch of our new church, I sensed we were stepping over a threshold from vision to reality, from dreaming to worship, from planning to praying.  And 72 people showed up to consider stepping over a threshold together, as members of a committed core group.

Why This Moment Matters

Every church has defining moments, but there's something unrepeatable about the first. And from the first, we wanted to build New City Church on the foundation of declaring the worthiness of our God and our dependence on him through prayer. I believe we are standing at the threshold of great things that God wants to do through a new church in our community. 

The day after our prayer and praise service, I walked into a new gym in St. Augustine for a workout class. As I was waiting for the class to start, the coach approached me and asked, “Are you the one who is starting that new church?” I couldn’t imagine how he might have known me. He said, “I was sitting on the front row in the meeting last night.” He mentioned he had not been in church in a while. Then he said, “It was great. I’m definitely going to be back and get the word out to others.” By the end of class, he had let the whole gym know about his threshold moment. 

Will You Cross With Us?

We will be meeting again on Sunday, June 13 & June 27 at 5 pm at Good News Church at the World Golf Village exit of I-95. (573 West Twincourt Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32086) Childcare is available for preschool and elementary age children. We will spend time in prayer and praise, and share more about what makes New City Church distinct. We will open God’s word together and hear what he has to say to a people who believe “A day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people.”

The threshold awaits. The door is open. Will you cross with us?