What happened at Epikos?
Any explanation of a departure from prior church leadership should be evaluated alongside original statements, correspondence, and the opportunity for those involved to respond.
For church search committees & congregations
Don’t hire
Dave Tilma.
At least, not without asking the questions our pastoral search process left unanswered.
An independent, evidence-led editorial project about pastoral due diligence, transparency, and the responsibility entrusted to church leaders.
3/7
Three members of the seven-person search committee reportedly left Blackhawk over concerns about Tilma’s leadership.
According to information provided to this project, all three attributed their departures to conduct they characterized as abusive leadership by Dave Tilma. The individuals’ firsthand statements and the circumstances of their departures have not yet been independently corroborated for publication.
Reported account · Source statements pending
The perspective
Accounts from the seven-member search process
The period under review
The 2022–2023 pastoral selection process
The principle
Read the evidence. Ask questions. Decide responsibly.
01 / Why this exists
Questions from inside the process.
A pastor’s history matters. So does the integrity of the process that puts him in leadership. The central concern here is whether decision-makers received the information they needed—and what a future congregation should ask before extending another call.
Questions about Dave Tilma’s departure from Epikos arose during Blackhawk’s pastoral search. Additional information reportedly emerged later. Before another congregation considers him for senior leadership, it deserves a chance to review the original record and hear all sides.
02 / The concerns
Three questions at
the center of it.
What did the committee know?
When were concerns received, who reviewed them, and which materials were shared with the people asked to assess the candidate? A fair timeline matters.
How were questions handled later?
Concerns about church and school governance call for clear answers, accurate records, independent examination when warranted, and protection for those raising good-faith questions.
03 / Timeline
The sequence
matters.
The following dates have been reported to this project unless an official source is noted. Original messages, minutes, and other evidence are still needed to substantiate individual entries.
APR 13, 2022
The search begins
Reported first meeting of Blackhawk Ministries’ seven-member Pastor Discovery Team.
Reported account
NOV 18, 2022
Candidate materials received
Dave Tilma’s résumé reportedly entered the search process on this date.
Reported account
NOV 30, 2022
An early question is raised
A member's candidate evaluation reportedly encouraged a closer look at why Tilma left Epikos Church. The underlying communication is to be added.
Document pending
DEC 2022
Interview and prior-church questions
The committee reportedly heard Tilma’s explanation for leaving Epikos. That explanation should be compared with the former church elders’ written account and the complete interview footage.
Documents pending
FEB 24, 2023
A separate warning is reportedly sent
A separate warning reportedly reached Blackhawk elders without being shared with the search committee. The original message and its handling require verification.
Verification pending
MAR 2023
Tilma becomes lead pastor
Blackhawk Ministries’ official church history confirms that Dave Tilma became lead pastor in 2023. March 5 has been reported as the congregational vote date.
Official source + account
2024
Further concerns over accountability
Accounts describe unanswered governance and financial questions and an August 18 meeting with leadership. Related records need review before more detailed allegations are published.
Reported account
A date appearing in this timeline does not by itself establish misconduct. This site aims to publish primary materials with their provenance, relevant context, and any responses or corrections received.
04 / The record
Documents before
conclusions.
An honest case has to show its work. Here is what can be checked publicly now—and what still needs a source document before this draft is ready to share.
Public primary source
Read official history ↗Blackhawk Ministries: official leadership history
Blackhawk’s own website states that Dave Tilma became its lead pastor in 2023.
Public primary source
Read bylaws ↗Blackhawk Ministries: constitution and bylaws
The church’s official governance documents describe the appointment and responsibilities of the pastoral search committee.
Primary document needed
Not yet uploadedEpikos elders’ correspondence
Obtain the original letter or statement, verify its authorship and date, then provide its full context and any relevant response.
Primary document needed
Not yet uploaded2022 interview and candidate evaluation
Add authenticated footage or transcript, the November 30 written evaluation, and enough surrounding material to represent the discussion fairly.
Primary document needed
Not yet uploadedReported February 2023 warning
Verify the correspondence, establish who received it and when, and redact identifying details of private individuals where appropriate.
Related community resource
Visit resource ↗Stand for BCS
An independent resource addressing concerns about Blackhawk Christian School governance. Its claims are separate from the evidence presented on this site and require independent review.
05 / For search committees
Before you extend
the call, ask.
These questions apply to any candidate for significant spiritual authority. They are especially important when concerns arise about a previous ministry or an earlier hiring process.
01
Have we independently spoken with the former elders or oversight leaders, rather than relying solely on the candidate's account?
02
Do we have the original written records surrounding the prior departure and a clear understanding of any disputed facts?
03
Were all material concerns provided to the full committee—and documented in the decision-making record?
04
Have the candidate and those raising concerns each had a fair opportunity to be heard?
05
What independent accountability exists if questions about leadership emerge after the hire?
06 / Editorial standards
Accountability must
include our own.
Our commitments
- Distinguish firsthand testimony, documentary evidence, open questions, and opinion.
- Preserve original context and correct errors prominently.
- Offer a meaningful opportunity to respond before adding disputed allegations.
- Keep children, family members, private addresses, and unrelated personal information out of the story.
- Invite readers to investigate, not intimidate or harass anyone.
Corrections & right of reply
Anyone identified in this account—including Dave Tilma and leaders of the institutions mentioned—should have a fair opportunity to provide corrections, documents, and a response. A dedicated contact address and editorial corrections policy are in development.
Nothing on this page should be read as an allegation of criminal conduct or a finding by an independent investigator. This is an advocacy and accountability project, not an official communication from any church or school.