cfcmi
05-27-2008, 01:41 PM
Dan Lantis
It has come to my attention that Daniel Lantis, the former pastor of the San Diego church, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite my disagreement with him and how his issues have been handled by the CFCMI leadership, he does need prayer that God would heal him and draw Dan back into truth.
Lantis has been in San Diego since 1989, when he ws sent to replace Scott Morehouse. Morehouse walked out earlier in the year when he decided he could no longer defend the lifestyle of L.R. Davis; at that time the San Diego congregation numbered around 200-250, which was a respectable sized church. Over the years since Lantis took over, the numbers slowly dwindled to less than 20 - enough to change the designation to a "military fellowship", which is run by Joe Watson, with Lantis as a figurehead.
Why did the decline happen? Lantis is very controlling. Regardless of who is in the group - even if others are obviously more talented - Lantis wants to prove he is in charge. To the parishioners in San Diego, this meant Lantis wanteed to run every aspect of people's lives, whether they be married or single, young or old, military or civilian. Accounts from former members stated Lantis expected all members of the San Diego congregation to turn their pay stubs into the treasurer's office so the pastor would know how much everyone made, plus decide how much they were expected to place in the offering plate. Present and former members of the now-defunct CFCMI web team attested to Lantis' lack of patience with team members and how he played himself as a web guru; three of the team members had a combined total of at least 60 years' experience in computers and web design, far more than Dan.
One entry in the San Diego church's website summed up his control tactics. Pastor Daniel P. Lantis wrote in his church's website an article titled "Hire Your Pastor".
Here's what Lantis said:
"What options do you have?
1. Sunday/Wednesday Preacher - I'll preach to to you at Church time. I hope you learn, grow and continue to seek God.
2. Personal Spiritual Advisor - Please call me up anytime you need spirtual advice so we can communicate in prayer and seeking.
3. God's way of telling you how it is; an absolute shepherd - Having my guidance and direction in a 100 fold ministry, 100% of your life."
This blurb from the San Diego website gives us options on how we want DPL involved with our lives. Option 1 is a standard comment given by many pastors, and most churchgoers are content with this level. Option 2 is also a common one by pastors, but here it sounds like he wants to be like Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil tends to be more level headed, though - at least on his TV show. Option 3 is a dangerous one. Here, Lantis claims to be an absolute shepherd, and to want 100% control of our lives. Isn't Jesus supposed to have full control? All a pastor can do is preach the word and give direction, and it is up to the parishioners to make the decisions. Those choices are between them and God Almighty, not the pastor. Remember, Jim Jones said something similar, and so did Lloyd Ray Davis, the founder of CFCMI. Look what happened there.
Lantis also was known for entering questionable business practices. He is a member of Quixtar/Amway since 1999. Lantis also is owner of ExcuseBuster Enterprises (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmV4Y3VzZWJ1c3Rlci5uZXQv). Here are excerpts from their website:
"ExcuseBuster Enterprises was established with the purpose of training individuals and teams to build successful businesses and careers by building themselves as people. Based upon timeless success principles, ExcuseBuster combines methods proven to empower and motivate, backed by a burning desire to achieve and innovative training techniques to help others realize their potential."
"We are based out of San Diego, but have business partners and associates around the world. Daniel P. Lantis runs ExcuseBuster as founder and Presdient. Daniel began in Business shortly after leaving the Untited States Navy. With a very poor educational background, he studied success principle and began building businesses. Through many trials, successes, and failures, he learned the secrets of building business by building people. He was given the title ExcuseBuster by his peers because he has proven nearly anything imaginable is achievable. Today he is a renowned motivational speaker and wealth intelligence coach."
"ExcuseBuster offers motivational speaking, personal business consulting and self development coaching. Rates for motivational speaking are on a case by case basis. Please contact us for pricing."
Oddly enough, when conducting a web search on Lantis there isn't much in the way of any life coach or motivational speaking engagements (such as John Maxwell, whose literature CFCMI tried to peddle with little success). Outside of his role as a pastor and online Quixtar business owner, Lantis also does not have as deep a business history as his websites claim. One has to take Lantis' statements with a grain of skepticism.
Lantis served in the US Navy from 1978 to 1983, when he was honorably discharged as a QM2 (E-5). One of his first duties in CFCMI after he finished his enlistment was church treasurer in Norfolk; while the Norfolk congregation had no problems with their books being audited during his tenure at that position, comments were made about his unorthodox organization practices, which were not easily understood by others. To his credit, Lantis was able to score deals on interesting business transactions, including a beautiful Methodist church building on Park Avenue which served as the congregation's home until 2004. However, there was at least one recorded incident where Lantis' actions backfired.
Source: http://www.cftc.gov/opa/adv01/opawa41-01.htm (Link may no longer work)
Daniel P. Lantis v. James Edward Stephens, III, and Trendsystems, Inc.
Filed October 3, 2001. The parties stipulated to the terms of a settlement agreement. Accordingly, the complaint was dismissed with prejudice and the proceeding was terminated in its entirety. Administrative Law Judge, Bruce C. Levine. CFTC Docket No. 01-R043.
Would you trust your tithes and offerings to this individual? The story goes that Lantis allegedly used church funds for an investment scheme that went awry. Lantis was ripped off and sued for an undisclosed amount...no word if the members were ever re-imbursed. Trendsystems, as it turned out ran afoul with the Federal Trade Commission and its problems went far beyond the case with Lantis.
Lantis admitted, at least in part, to having a volatile temper. This is consistent with testimony from former members of the San Diego congregation; sadly some of those accounts included allegations Lantis supposedly threatened his own wife in front of the church. He is also known for being very crude from the pulpit, and even uses fart and pee jokes similar to Jim Carrey in Carrey's movies...only Jim was funnier, and a preacher is expected to be a little more civil behind the sacred desk. Such behavior has prompted complaints to the International Headquarters requesting something be done about Lantis and his actions; nothing ever came of the complaints, and Lantis remains as a "pastor" even in name only.
What ahppened to the building on Park Avenue? They couldn't afford the cost of earthquake-proofing their church. The congregation eventually sold the church property to a developer. There were two buildings on the Christian Fellowship property at Park Boulevard and Polk Avenue: the church itself and a three-bedroom house where an assistant pastor lived. The church was torn down and will be replaced by condos. Its pews were donated to another congregation. The stained-glass windows were sold to a Los Angeles historian. Pastor Daniel Lantis kept the steeple, which now sits in his back yard. Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20040105-9999_1m5house.html (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20040105-9999_1m5house.html)
One final question that has been kept tight-lipped by the CFCMI brass is this: what exactly happened in Tijuana, Mexico? In the summer of 1989 Lantis was arrested by Mexican Federalis while in the city of Tijuana; he was eventually released, but the details of his visit were not fully made public. The official story from CFCMI claimed he was there on a ministerial visit to a house fellowship in Mexico; other stories claimed Lantis was there for less than noble reasons. Whatever the case, the truth behind Dan Lantis' arrest south of the border remains a secret known only to a select few.
Why would Lantis be retained in CFCMI, despite all the complaints and decline in church membership since he becamea senior pastor 19 years ago? It is possible Lantis wields more power in the organization than Paine or Thomas would be willing to admit. Lantis is not a member of the Davis family, by birth or marriage, but worked his way into the inner circle. His knowledge of CFCMI's dark past (he too was mentioned in the court records) would be extremely damaging to the organization should he ever leave and reveal his information to the media or the revenue agencies. This type of leverage is what permits Lantis to continue where he is now - the leadership is scared of him!
Will Dan Lantis ever leave, or step forward? Only time will tell.
It has come to my attention that Daniel Lantis, the former pastor of the San Diego church, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite my disagreement with him and how his issues have been handled by the CFCMI leadership, he does need prayer that God would heal him and draw Dan back into truth.
Lantis has been in San Diego since 1989, when he ws sent to replace Scott Morehouse. Morehouse walked out earlier in the year when he decided he could no longer defend the lifestyle of L.R. Davis; at that time the San Diego congregation numbered around 200-250, which was a respectable sized church. Over the years since Lantis took over, the numbers slowly dwindled to less than 20 - enough to change the designation to a "military fellowship", which is run by Joe Watson, with Lantis as a figurehead.
Why did the decline happen? Lantis is very controlling. Regardless of who is in the group - even if others are obviously more talented - Lantis wants to prove he is in charge. To the parishioners in San Diego, this meant Lantis wanteed to run every aspect of people's lives, whether they be married or single, young or old, military or civilian. Accounts from former members stated Lantis expected all members of the San Diego congregation to turn their pay stubs into the treasurer's office so the pastor would know how much everyone made, plus decide how much they were expected to place in the offering plate. Present and former members of the now-defunct CFCMI web team attested to Lantis' lack of patience with team members and how he played himself as a web guru; three of the team members had a combined total of at least 60 years' experience in computers and web design, far more than Dan.
One entry in the San Diego church's website summed up his control tactics. Pastor Daniel P. Lantis wrote in his church's website an article titled "Hire Your Pastor".
Here's what Lantis said:
"What options do you have?
1. Sunday/Wednesday Preacher - I'll preach to to you at Church time. I hope you learn, grow and continue to seek God.
2. Personal Spiritual Advisor - Please call me up anytime you need spirtual advice so we can communicate in prayer and seeking.
3. God's way of telling you how it is; an absolute shepherd - Having my guidance and direction in a 100 fold ministry, 100% of your life."
This blurb from the San Diego website gives us options on how we want DPL involved with our lives. Option 1 is a standard comment given by many pastors, and most churchgoers are content with this level. Option 2 is also a common one by pastors, but here it sounds like he wants to be like Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil tends to be more level headed, though - at least on his TV show. Option 3 is a dangerous one. Here, Lantis claims to be an absolute shepherd, and to want 100% control of our lives. Isn't Jesus supposed to have full control? All a pastor can do is preach the word and give direction, and it is up to the parishioners to make the decisions. Those choices are between them and God Almighty, not the pastor. Remember, Jim Jones said something similar, and so did Lloyd Ray Davis, the founder of CFCMI. Look what happened there.
Lantis also was known for entering questionable business practices. He is a member of Quixtar/Amway since 1999. Lantis also is owner of ExcuseBuster Enterprises (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmV4Y3VzZWJ1c3Rlci5uZXQv). Here are excerpts from their website:
"ExcuseBuster Enterprises was established with the purpose of training individuals and teams to build successful businesses and careers by building themselves as people. Based upon timeless success principles, ExcuseBuster combines methods proven to empower and motivate, backed by a burning desire to achieve and innovative training techniques to help others realize their potential."
"We are based out of San Diego, but have business partners and associates around the world. Daniel P. Lantis runs ExcuseBuster as founder and Presdient. Daniel began in Business shortly after leaving the Untited States Navy. With a very poor educational background, he studied success principle and began building businesses. Through many trials, successes, and failures, he learned the secrets of building business by building people. He was given the title ExcuseBuster by his peers because he has proven nearly anything imaginable is achievable. Today he is a renowned motivational speaker and wealth intelligence coach."
"ExcuseBuster offers motivational speaking, personal business consulting and self development coaching. Rates for motivational speaking are on a case by case basis. Please contact us for pricing."
Oddly enough, when conducting a web search on Lantis there isn't much in the way of any life coach or motivational speaking engagements (such as John Maxwell, whose literature CFCMI tried to peddle with little success). Outside of his role as a pastor and online Quixtar business owner, Lantis also does not have as deep a business history as his websites claim. One has to take Lantis' statements with a grain of skepticism.
Lantis served in the US Navy from 1978 to 1983, when he was honorably discharged as a QM2 (E-5). One of his first duties in CFCMI after he finished his enlistment was church treasurer in Norfolk; while the Norfolk congregation had no problems with their books being audited during his tenure at that position, comments were made about his unorthodox organization practices, which were not easily understood by others. To his credit, Lantis was able to score deals on interesting business transactions, including a beautiful Methodist church building on Park Avenue which served as the congregation's home until 2004. However, there was at least one recorded incident where Lantis' actions backfired.
Source: http://www.cftc.gov/opa/adv01/opawa41-01.htm (Link may no longer work)
Daniel P. Lantis v. James Edward Stephens, III, and Trendsystems, Inc.
Filed October 3, 2001. The parties stipulated to the terms of a settlement agreement. Accordingly, the complaint was dismissed with prejudice and the proceeding was terminated in its entirety. Administrative Law Judge, Bruce C. Levine. CFTC Docket No. 01-R043.
Would you trust your tithes and offerings to this individual? The story goes that Lantis allegedly used church funds for an investment scheme that went awry. Lantis was ripped off and sued for an undisclosed amount...no word if the members were ever re-imbursed. Trendsystems, as it turned out ran afoul with the Federal Trade Commission and its problems went far beyond the case with Lantis.
Lantis admitted, at least in part, to having a volatile temper. This is consistent with testimony from former members of the San Diego congregation; sadly some of those accounts included allegations Lantis supposedly threatened his own wife in front of the church. He is also known for being very crude from the pulpit, and even uses fart and pee jokes similar to Jim Carrey in Carrey's movies...only Jim was funnier, and a preacher is expected to be a little more civil behind the sacred desk. Such behavior has prompted complaints to the International Headquarters requesting something be done about Lantis and his actions; nothing ever came of the complaints, and Lantis remains as a "pastor" even in name only.
What ahppened to the building on Park Avenue? They couldn't afford the cost of earthquake-proofing their church. The congregation eventually sold the church property to a developer. There were two buildings on the Christian Fellowship property at Park Boulevard and Polk Avenue: the church itself and a three-bedroom house where an assistant pastor lived. The church was torn down and will be replaced by condos. Its pews were donated to another congregation. The stained-glass windows were sold to a Los Angeles historian. Pastor Daniel Lantis kept the steeple, which now sits in his back yard. Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20040105-9999_1m5house.html (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20040105-9999_1m5house.html)
One final question that has been kept tight-lipped by the CFCMI brass is this: what exactly happened in Tijuana, Mexico? In the summer of 1989 Lantis was arrested by Mexican Federalis while in the city of Tijuana; he was eventually released, but the details of his visit were not fully made public. The official story from CFCMI claimed he was there on a ministerial visit to a house fellowship in Mexico; other stories claimed Lantis was there for less than noble reasons. Whatever the case, the truth behind Dan Lantis' arrest south of the border remains a secret known only to a select few.
Why would Lantis be retained in CFCMI, despite all the complaints and decline in church membership since he becamea senior pastor 19 years ago? It is possible Lantis wields more power in the organization than Paine or Thomas would be willing to admit. Lantis is not a member of the Davis family, by birth or marriage, but worked his way into the inner circle. His knowledge of CFCMI's dark past (he too was mentioned in the court records) would be extremely damaging to the organization should he ever leave and reveal his information to the media or the revenue agencies. This type of leverage is what permits Lantis to continue where he is now - the leadership is scared of him!
Will Dan Lantis ever leave, or step forward? Only time will tell.