June 18, 2026 (Tehachapi, CA) More facts about Shepherd of the Hills’ “financial” struggles.
You have been told finances have been suffering since the pandemic. That is the narrative they have pushed for years.
However, there is one MAJOR event they never mention, and it happened right when the decline began.
Let me explain.
The Bylaws, from Day 1, always required outside audits. This ensured accountability and objectivity from someone outside the church. It made sure that financial activity and procedures were being followed by the elder board. The requirement (Article 8, Section 10, screenshot also attached) stated:
“An audit of the church financial books shall be conducted in the second quarter every third year beginning in 2013 by an accounting firm not associated with the church. It shall be a simplified audit to determine if the internal financial procedures of the church are appropriate and are being followed.”
However, on September 10th, 2020, Dave Gilliam requested a rewrite of this section, REMOVING the requirement for outside audits.
This critical section was removed, and instead of “…by an accounting firm not associated with the church“, it was changed to “qualified church members as chosen by the Board of Elders.”
The outside firm was replaced with the elders auditing themselves.
This was mailed to members for “absentee voting” in Spring 2021, during the pandemic, when the mostly elderly congregation was still not attending in person and could not gather to ask questions.
They chose that moment to remove all outside financial accountability.
What did this change do?
It removed all outside accountability.
No outside audits, accountability, or objectivity.
The elders, serving in their positions illegally, have been free to violate all internal financial procedures since April 2021 with no oversight.
Ironically, the finances have been suffering ever since this major Bylaw change took effect. And, of course, they’ve come back to the congregation for more and more money, citing “financial issues”, ever since this change.
That is not a coincidence.