Bethel Church Intensifies Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Amid heightened scrutiny, Bethel Church is taking significant steps to address allegations of sexual misconduct involving Pastor Ben Armstrong. The church has recently announced the introduction of third-party oversight to ensure a thorough examination of their governance and leadership structures.
Bethel Church’s leaders, in a recent update on April 2, revealed that an independent firm will lead an in-depth investigation into the accusations against Armstrong, who served as the church’s Prophetic Ministry director. This move comes after Armstrong was put on leave following claims of clergy sexual abuse.
The allegations surfaced when a former student accused Armstrong of misconduct dating back to 2009 via a YouTube video. Bethel Church has now enlisted Sintra Group Investigations to spearhead the inquiry, emphasizing their expertise in trauma-informed investigative methods.
“As a broader leadership team, we want to understand and address how we can do better in the future by bringing in a third-party expert to review our governance, leadership structure, and culture,” stated the church. Their aim is to solidify accountability and prioritize safety among their community while adhering to scriptural standards.
The church is also utilizing “Safe Church,” a confidential reporting platform managed by Mitratech, to facilitate anonymous submissions and ensure authenticity in reporting concerns, particularly regarding senior leadership misconduct.
Bethel’s senior leader, Bill Johnson, continues to guide the church, which is known for its global influence via worship music and conferences. However, the church acknowledges the necessity for reflection and reform in response to past leadership and accountability failures.
The church’s response follows a video, “Bethel Survivor Sarah Shares Her Experience of Clergy SA by Ben Armstrong,” in which a woman identified as Sarah accused Armstrong of grooming her under the guise of spiritual mentorship. Armstrong, in a previous statement, had described the incident as an extramarital affair, a claim Sarah disputes.
Bethel Church has also faced backlash for its previous handling of other leadership issues, including allegations against Shawn Bolz, highlighting the need for greater transparency and urgency in addressing such matters.
Jenn Johnson, a senior worship pastor at Bethel, discussed the church’s complexity, stating it is a “very big organization” with diverse beliefs and ongoing efforts toward correction and accountability among its leaders.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
