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Reviews — 8
I was a member of this church for quite a few years. From the outside, it looks like an amazing church and it is, to a certain extent. However, I encountered a lot of abuse in this church from innappopriate sexual remarks (which are passed off as 'jokes') from one of the pastors to emotional abuse from people in leadership. I have been putting off sharing my experience for a while now as I have put all of this behind me and I have friends who still go to this church so I did not want to be attacked by anyone. However, recently I have been encouraged to share my experience in the hopes that what I went through does not happen to anyone else.
I believe there are a lot of people who have being abused in this church who are afraid to speak up as City on a Hill does not create a safe place for people do so. They talk about "safeguarding practices" but I believe this is just to save their backs , there is a difference in having procedures in place to safeguard people and actually following it through.
At the start of last year I was going through an extremely tough time and I was emotionally abused by someone in leadership, I brought this up with two pastors and I asked for what I shared to be kept confidential. A week later I was verbally attacked by the person I reported as they found out through a pastor what I had shared. I was at a very vulnerable stage at this point that this person started gas lighting me to a point I started to believe what I went through never happened and I started to apologise (it did happen and there are witnesses). I also found out that this pastor was also being mentored by this person. I was extremely traumatised by this experience and I left this church but it also affected my faith so much that I stepped away from my faith for nearly a year.
If you are looking for a church that will support you and be there for you, this church isn't the one for you. City on a hill is heavily understaffed. I was close to a female pastor from this church who would constantly share with me how much stress she is under working for the church and I was very concerned for her at the time because I knew she had health issues and I asked her to bring it to the attention of the main pastor, Pastor Pete. She said she has but there is nothing that can be done. Since they are understaffed and pastors are under so much pressure, a lot of people in the congregation who are vulnerable and need support don't get the support they require. This church like some people have mentioned here is so focused on planting churches that they spread themselves too thin and they are running on fumes.
I have only shared part of my experience so that people would be a bit more vigilliant and cautious. If you notice any red flags, please leave as soon as you can and if anyone reading this has gone through abuse at this church, I really hope you will share. I have noticed that church abuse always comes to light one way or another.
You only realise the extent to how toxic a church is when you start going to churches that are very healthy, loving and supportive that do not tolerate abuse on any level. City on a hill excuses a lot of toxic behaviour by saying "We are an imperfect church with imperfect people".
City on a Hill I really hope you examine your leaders/pastors before you give them a platform to mentor and preach to people.
I believe there are a lot of people who have being abused in this church who are afraid to speak up as City on a Hill does not create a safe place for people do so. They talk about "safeguarding practices" but I believe this is just to save their backs , there is a difference in having procedures in place to safeguard people and actually following it through.
At the start of last year I was going through an extremely tough time and I was emotionally abused by someone in leadership, I brought this up with two pastors and I asked for what I shared to be kept confidential. A week later I was verbally attacked by the person I reported as they found out through a pastor what I had shared. I was at a very vulnerable stage at this point that this person started gas lighting me to a point I started to believe what I went through never happened and I started to apologise (it did happen and there are witnesses). I also found out that this pastor was also being mentored by this person. I was extremely traumatised by this experience and I left this church but it also affected my faith so much that I stepped away from my faith for nearly a year.
If you are looking for a church that will support you and be there for you, this church isn't the one for you. City on a hill is heavily understaffed. I was close to a female pastor from this church who would constantly share with me how much stress she is under working for the church and I was very concerned for her at the time because I knew she had health issues and I asked her to bring it to the attention of the main pastor, Pastor Pete. She said she has but there is nothing that can be done. Since they are understaffed and pastors are under so much pressure, a lot of people in the congregation who are vulnerable and need support don't get the support they require. This church like some people have mentioned here is so focused on planting churches that they spread themselves too thin and they are running on fumes.
I have only shared part of my experience so that people would be a bit more vigilliant and cautious. If you notice any red flags, please leave as soon as you can and if anyone reading this has gone through abuse at this church, I really hope you will share. I have noticed that church abuse always comes to light one way or another.
You only realise the extent to how toxic a church is when you start going to churches that are very healthy, loving and supportive that do not tolerate abuse on any level. City on a hill excuses a lot of toxic behaviour by saying "We are an imperfect church with imperfect people".
City on a Hill I really hope you examine your leaders/pastors before you give them a platform to mentor and preach to people.
A caring community church for the people by the people. Loved The Hollies . I am going back on Sunday .
I am very grateful to have this church community in my life, and I just thought it would be nice to share my experience.
I became a Christian two years ago and to be able to grow and walk in my faith with others who love Jesus, through all the ups and downs is such a blessing.
I know some of the leaders reasonably well, and I'm sure they would agree with me that they aren't perfect :) . But what I would like to say is I see how they live and it is filled with integrity, honesty, gentleness and love. I trust them.
Genuinely had no idea life could be this way until Jesus found me 😊.
I am a real person by the way (beep boop), my name is Andrew Norby I am 23. I love getting to tuck my trousers into my socks and cycling about free in the knowledge my trousers won't get caught in the bike chain.
"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19
I became a Christian two years ago and to be able to grow and walk in my faith with others who love Jesus, through all the ups and downs is such a blessing.
I know some of the leaders reasonably well, and I'm sure they would agree with me that they aren't perfect :) . But what I would like to say is I see how they live and it is filled with integrity, honesty, gentleness and love. I trust them.
Genuinely had no idea life could be this way until Jesus found me 😊.
I am a real person by the way (beep boop), my name is Andrew Norby I am 23. I love getting to tuck my trousers into my socks and cycling about free in the knowledge my trousers won't get caught in the bike chain.
"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19
Update in response to Dan:
Of course this is a typical church response - denying any claims of abuse or lack of support especially since this is a public platform. Seems to me by the number of people who like my review, I am not the only one sharing similar experiences.
I was on your database but I left last year.
In regards to Richard and Annabel, of course they are not going to accept they made such claims. I have constantly encouraged my friend to come forward with the horrendous emotional and mental abuse she was put through by them but she refuses based on the fact that she has already spoken to leadership before and no one believed her.
She received the same response "Richard and Annabel deny such claims and it was seriously misrepresented" What an amazing safeguarding system you have in place.
Most people at City on a Hill know Richard and Annabel do go around calling themselves "Prophets" and has also taken upon themselves to mentor young adults and break them free from "demonic oppression".
My advice to anyone reading this, is to go to this church if this is where you think God is calling you to be. However, use your discernment too.
**************
It has taken me a year or so to pluck up the courage to share my experience. Most of the five star reviews written here are by the pastor (Pete Anderson), by people who work for the church or are close to the leadership team. My purpose of writing this review is not to deter anyone from going to this church but more to share things they might encounter because I wish someone did the same for me.
I found this church to be very toxic. The preachings are great but everything else i.e. the pastors and members of the church are toxic. I have been with this church for a while (they formed in 2021 after splitting with Destiny Church).The church is extremely focused on growth. There is nothing wrong with growth but it becomes unhealthy when they neglect the needs of the existing members of the church and local community. There are so many people in this church seeking support but the leadership team does not have the capacity to help because their resources and finances are spent on planting churches globally. There is zero support if you are going through hardship and I have seen this happen to too many people time and time again and it has been heartbreaking to see.
I would also be careful of a couple called Richard and Annabel. They call themselves 'prophets' and they come up to you to prophecy and if you don't want to be prophesied or if you don't accept their prophecy, you are considered to be under demonic oppression. They also have a tendency to go up to young couples and say 'The lord wants you to be married'. This happened to a friend of mine and she and her partner were devastated when they split up this year. She had reported this to two pastors and asked it to be kept confidential. However, Richard and Annabel found out and she was verbally reprimanded by Richard. It was very heartbreaking for me to see how much damage it caused her and her faith.
Please don't be fooled by all the smiles when you first come to church. I was part of the welcome team and we were constantly reminded to be energetic and smiling. I have seen a lot of backstabbing and gossiping in the church so I have learnt to be very careful with what I shared when I was at church.
What I have shared here was my own experience but your experience might be different. Going to this church really hurt my faith and I pray no one ever has to go through that.
Of course this is a typical church response - denying any claims of abuse or lack of support especially since this is a public platform. Seems to me by the number of people who like my review, I am not the only one sharing similar experiences.
I was on your database but I left last year.
In regards to Richard and Annabel, of course they are not going to accept they made such claims. I have constantly encouraged my friend to come forward with the horrendous emotional and mental abuse she was put through by them but she refuses based on the fact that she has already spoken to leadership before and no one believed her.
She received the same response "Richard and Annabel deny such claims and it was seriously misrepresented" What an amazing safeguarding system you have in place.
Most people at City on a Hill know Richard and Annabel do go around calling themselves "Prophets" and has also taken upon themselves to mentor young adults and break them free from "demonic oppression".
My advice to anyone reading this, is to go to this church if this is where you think God is calling you to be. However, use your discernment too.
**************
It has taken me a year or so to pluck up the courage to share my experience. Most of the five star reviews written here are by the pastor (Pete Anderson), by people who work for the church or are close to the leadership team. My purpose of writing this review is not to deter anyone from going to this church but more to share things they might encounter because I wish someone did the same for me.
I found this church to be very toxic. The preachings are great but everything else i.e. the pastors and members of the church are toxic. I have been with this church for a while (they formed in 2021 after splitting with Destiny Church).The church is extremely focused on growth. There is nothing wrong with growth but it becomes unhealthy when they neglect the needs of the existing members of the church and local community. There are so many people in this church seeking support but the leadership team does not have the capacity to help because their resources and finances are spent on planting churches globally. There is zero support if you are going through hardship and I have seen this happen to too many people time and time again and it has been heartbreaking to see.
I would also be careful of a couple called Richard and Annabel. They call themselves 'prophets' and they come up to you to prophecy and if you don't want to be prophesied or if you don't accept their prophecy, you are considered to be under demonic oppression. They also have a tendency to go up to young couples and say 'The lord wants you to be married'. This happened to a friend of mine and she and her partner were devastated when they split up this year. She had reported this to two pastors and asked it to be kept confidential. However, Richard and Annabel found out and she was verbally reprimanded by Richard. It was very heartbreaking for me to see how much damage it caused her and her faith.
Please don't be fooled by all the smiles when you first come to church. I was part of the welcome team and we were constantly reminded to be energetic and smiling. I have seen a lot of backstabbing and gossiping in the church so I have learnt to be very careful with what I shared when I was at church.
What I have shared here was my own experience but your experience might be different. Going to this church really hurt my faith and I pray no one ever has to go through that.
Life changing ! Pastor Pete is a man of integrity and authenticity and I never fail to be touched by God through Pete’s sermons. Other bonuses are the modern worship and the diversity of people who attend. Can’t recommend this church enough - it really does feel like home.
Such a welcoming church with a huge heart for serving others. Amazing teaching and worship and the kids ministry is fantastic; our little ones love going along. A wonderful church family.
City on a Hill is a great church, living out Christianity in a very genuine way. One of the great things is it is very bible centred. Well worth checking out their online service even if you don't live in Edinburgh or can't get to church.