Redeemer Presbyterian Downtown Church — Local services in New York

Psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse took place and was systematically hidden by church leadership. The severity of the harm I endured required years of therapy and healing to overcome. The abusers were calculating, targeting select individuals rather than everyone, which created a gaslighting effect across the community—leading many to believe that if abuse wasn’t constant or widespread, it wasn’t happening at all.

A pastor embezzled around $1.3 million, and leadership chose to cover it up instead of taking accountability. As a result, 11 staff lost their jobs due to failed leadership. The congregation remains unaware of the full truth to this day.

Checks and balances to protect congregants and staff from abusive leadership are effectively nonexistent.

The church culture and the PCA denomination’s theology foster a toxic environment where women are viewed as inferior — not just different in role but inherently less valuable and deserving of diminished respect and opportunity. This attitude is often expressed through smug, demeaning behavior toward women by leadership. Legitimate concerns from women are minimized or dismissed under the guise of theological correctness.

Senior pastors make $350,000+ annually, excluding housing allowances, tax breaks and benefits from governments, and additional income from fees charged for weddings, funerals, and other services. Women are denied pastoral titles and leadership roles regardless of qualifications; instead, they receive titles like "Commissioned Church Worker," as they can't be called a pastor, even if they are doing pastoral care. The leaders conveniently use these semantics to justify underpaying women. Women are paid only a fraction of what their male counterparts earn, even when holding the same theological degrees and serving comparable roles. None of these practices or attitudes can be justified theologically. They contradict the core biblical principles of justice, love, and equality.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my experience here. In summary, I cannot, in good conscience,...

Located inside the Salvation Army, I had a great and deep appreciation for their service. Their Worship service was more than just worship and message, but it had a lot of different components to the service such as a time for repentance, various prayers, responses, etc. I love how they stick to their values and is “traditional” in a sense where there’s no PowerPoint, smoke machines, intense lights, but just a simple pianist/bassoonist/vocals. It made me reflect on the heart of Worship, so it was a wonderful experience. Rev. White preached that day and his message was...

Friendly, vibrant and resourceful community. My family and I are fortunate to be a part. The teachings are relevant to both the written word and daily life. They have tons of resources and activities way beyond Sunday morning service. Sunday school is outstanding. The staff and clergy I truly enjoy what they do and it is evident even...