How modern church business models, unaccountable leadership, and spiritual manipulation are harming victims nationwide — including right here in Kootenai County

The Rise of Church Cover-Up Culture in America

Dan and I have chosen to speak out about what “the church” has become. There are many fraudulent pastors and church businesses being exposed, not just in Kootenai County, it’s happening on an industrial scale nationwide. This includes coverup culture, immoral (if not illegal) property purchases, financial opaqueness, lying from the pulpit, misconstruing scripture, sexual abuse, spiritual manipulation, and a rise of severe familial dysfunction of church leadership.

We Didn’t Start This — The Lies That Forced Accountability

We didn’t start a war with a pastor or a church in Kootenai County. Pastor Paul Van Noy brought war when he lied about Dan. I wish Paul Van Noy wasn’t a liar because it’s not something I ever wanted to deal with or have a responsibility toward. You’ve heard the expression, once you see it, you can’t “unsee” it and it’s true. When people cry out, “Can’t somebody do something?!” That “somebody” doesn’t exist until that somebody is you. So now, I must be the one to do something.

The Recording That Changed Everything

A young woman, Monica, who attended Candlelight Christian Fellowship, advocated for and trusted her pastor, pastor Paul. However, she started to notice inconsistencies in his answers and behaviors when it pertained to Dan. Monica’s concern grew when Van Noy insisted on bringing “counsel”, possibly legal counsel, to an in-person meeting with Monica. For her own protection, Monica recorded the meeting that day. It is because of that recording that we have proof of Paul Van Noy’s blatant lies, manipulation, twisting of facts, and attempts to control both a spiritual and political narrative in Kootenai County. We’ve produced the evidence, Paul in his own words, yet people who “know him better” continue to defend him.

Because Monica chose to do something, we have the proof.

Paul Van Noy is a liar. He actively lies. It’s a current problem, not some kind of past sin that’s been blanketed in forgiveness.

Manipulation, Deflection, and the Performance of Victimhood

There was another nearly invisible part in that same audio recording (above). It almost went unnoticed, at least by us. If you pay attention, Paul continuously sequestered and redirected the conversation. It’s easy to find the lies and inconsistencies when Paul Van Noy talks, because he talks a lot, and as you know, when a person is a fake and their stories are lies, it’s hard for them to keep it all straight.

In the audio he claims victimhood in the difficulties of ministry, including how hard it has been on his family and children.

When a Daughter Breaks the Silence

Paul told a specific story about one of his daughters, one who had “renounced” her faith. It is because of that audio, where Paul Van Noy lied about his daughter Danielle, that she finally had the courage to come forward after years of silence. Her physical and emotional distance was intentional; it was for her own protection. While Danielle still loves her father deeply, her experience of him has been a continuous cycle of coverup, lies, and manipulation to protect his own image.

Because Danielle chose to do something, we have the proof.

It’s time for the lies to stop.

Paul Van Noy has admitted to covering up the sexual abuse of his daughter for years and Danielle brought the proof.

Why Popularity Is Not Revival

Our hearts grieve as we watch church culture grow in popularity because popularity is not revival. I’ve been saying this for months, heaven will never be crowded. It might be a catchy marketing phrase but it’s also heresy. More church buildings aren’t the answer. Boiler plate business and building plans aren’t the answer. Mass producing pastors is not the answer.

The Religion Business and the Absence of Accountability

These environments have only led to abuses on a mass scale because they can’t be regulated and there’s no true accountability. Non-profit church models can create unlimited auxiliary organizations compounding financial opacity.

There’s more accountability in government than there is a church structured as a non-profit.

How Churches Hook Families — and Why It Works

I understand that church feels good. It’s your community, it can be your identity, it can fulfill your need for music and the creative arts. It keeps your children occupied and they’re learning Bible verses. But know this, the religion business has learned that if it can appeal to your children, if it can hook them, and entertain them, it now owns you.

Cut From the Same Cloth

This didn’t happen overnight; it didn’t start with Paul Van Noy. Jim Putman didn’t invent it; he’s not a pioneer in anything but both Paul and Jim profit personally and professionally from the religion business. That’s why Dan stated on our last broadcast that they are cut from the same cloth.

Heaven Will Not Be Crowded

Ask yourself, if heaven won’t be crowded, how much do I trust a church structure that’s foundation is modelled after business success? A successful business can do a lot of good things, I know that. But I’ll say it one more time, heaven will not be crowded because narrow is the way.

Matthew 7:13

— Dawna