April 3, 2026 (Tehachapi, CA) As of last week, I have made serious revelations regarding Shepherd of the Hills Church, the Elder Board, and Pastor Jeff Kaplan (this includes his business, “Strength for Today with Dr J”).
I recognize that for many, this type of public exposure is difficult and raises many questions.
- Is this not judgmental?
- Aren’t we all sinners?
- Is there even supposed to be ‘Judgement’ among Christians?
These questions are fair and will be addressed with biblical clarity.
The goal of this post is not to place blame, not to finger point, nor to tear anyone down. I will be taking the structural approach to this in God’s Word to explain the questions I am posing. For the purpose of explaining the ‘What’ in the Scriptures, there is no need for the ‘Why’ to be absent.
I would advise that the following references be searched for in your own time. While the following references are not exhaustive, they are the most appropriate for this instance.
Watch YouTube Video of this article here: https://youtu.be/Sg01HTQ1F10
Should We Judge? (John 7:24)
Believers and non-believers alike are generally of the opinion that Christians should never judge. Here are the word of Jesus regarding proper judgment:
“Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” – John 7:23-24
Jesus is quite clear in as it applies to righteous judgment, and thus, there is also judicially bound judgment.
The latter part of Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, lest you be judged”, is explicitly in reference to, and concerning, condemnation and hypocrisy, as well as unrighteous judgment which is destructive to the individuals rather than restorative. This is not a blanket prohibition against all judgment.
We are called to be our brother’s keeper. We are called to help one another see blind spots and call out their sin in an effort to restore. We cannot do that without making a judgment about what is true and what is sin.
The Process for Unrepentant Sin (Matthew 18:15-17)
This is where church discipline starts in the Bible. Most church bylaws include this, including the governing documents for Shepherd of the Hills. Jesus gives the steps:
“Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” – Matthew 18:15-17
Step One: Go in private.
Step Two: Take 2 or 3 witnesses.
Step Three: Tell it to the church.
Step Four: Treat them as if they are unbelievers.
We have arrived at Step 3.
I have gone to Jeff Kaplan privately; at least three times. The second time I went to Jeff privately, I pulled him aside and quoted Matthew 5:23-26 to him. Jeff Kaplan’s response? He walks away from the Bible, saying “I am not available for this conversation“. A “Pastor” is not available to discuss the words of Jesus?
Of the many, I also am aware of at least 4 others who have informed him of sitting down to discuss these matters . He has been not been listening – to anybody.
Telling the church is the last option before treating Jeff Kaplan and the Elders as unbelievers. I stopped attending Shepherd of the Hills, so I have to tell it publicly, so that the congregation and others who know Jeff Kaplan and the Elder board can show them their sin and how it is harming the Body of Christ; ultimately continuing to encourage repentance.
What About Leaders Specifically? (1 Timothy 5:19-20)
It is true that church leaders have higher accountability, and that is where, in a way, Scripture protects them. Verse 19 gives some protection from false accusations, but the verse after gives a general principle to church leaders who continue to sin:
“Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.” – 1 Timothy 5:19-20
This is a direct command. When leaders sin, the church is to publicly declare what the sin is OUT LOUD so that others may be warned.
Notice verses 24-25:
“The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.” – 1 Timothy 5:24-25
Sin has a way of being exposed. As Numbers 32:23 says, “Your sin will find you out.“
A Biblical Example: Paul Rebukes Peter Publicly (Galatians 2:11-14)
Paul did not wait. He did not hide. He publicly rebuked Peter, in the presence of all.
“But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?'” – Galatians 2:11-14
Paul did not wait months or years. He did not hide it. He rebuked Peter publicly, in front of everyone, immediately on the spot.
This is the Biblical model.
Open Rebuke Is Loving (Proverbs 27:5-6)
It may seem counterintuitive, but the Biblical model and pattern of public rebuke is an act of love.
“Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:5-6
It is easy to appreciate a good friend who gives you a compliment. It’s harder to appreciate friends who show you your faults or sins. It is true that those who dislike you will praise you without encouraging you.
I have no anger or unforgiveness towards Jeff Kaplan and the Elders at Shepherd of the Hills Church. I have no bitterness towards them. I am also not advocating for Jeff Kaplan. It would also not be kind, to watch someone unrepentantly keep sinning and allow them to keep doing it without saying anything to them. Similarly, to not say anything to a friend, who is making bad choices, is not loving. Indifference is almost hateful.
I am doing this to express my love for the truth, and to express truth that exposes and protects. And to express my love for those who are being hurt, and because the Bible tells me I must do this.
Love Rejoices in the Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Shepherd of the Hills’ motto is “Where love and joy abound.”
But what does true Christ-centered love actually look like?
“Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, including concealed sin, lies, slander, and cover-ups. Love rejoices in the truth.
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
The truth is love, and the opposite is also true. To hide the truth and protect sin is not an act of love. It creates bondage.
The goal is not to destroy a church. Out of love for God and the truth, the goal is to expose what is there. It is exposed to protect and save, because of the love God has for His people.
A Call to Prayer and Discernment
I want to leave you with this:
- Do not believe me.
- Do not simply believe Jeff Kaplan or the Elders.
- Do not believe what people on social media or in private messages are saying.
Rather, do what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 and search the Scriptures for yourselves. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. God is not holding back the truth from those who sincerely seek it. The truth is not what Jeff Kaplan, the Elders, or anyone on social media has to say. The truth is what is found in the Bible, and the Holy Spirit.
Pray for Jeff Kaplan, the Elders, Shepherd of the Hills Church, the congregation, and the people who are trying to decide what to do. If, through prayer and discernment, you believe that unrepentant sin is present, then pray about what role you may have in encouraging repentance.
Consider fasting. This situation is serious, and it deserves serious prayer.
Final Word
While I’ve tried my best to keep this as brief as I am able to, the truth cannot be rushed. There is more to come. This is the Biblical foundation for why I am speaking out.
It is not about judgment for the sake of judgment. It is not about tearing down. It is about obedience to God’s Word, protection of His flock, love for the truth, and a genuine desire for repentance and restoration.
“Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.” – Proverbs 27:5