In a move that signals a significant shift in its approach to leadership and accountability, Bethel Church has announced a comprehensive review of its leadership culture. This development follows the administrative leave of pastor Ben Armstrong, amid allegations of sexual abuse.
A detailed update released on May 28 by the influential California megachurch highlighted feedback from various stakeholders, including congregants, staff, and alumni, indicating areas within the church’s leadership and culture that require “attention and reform.”
“This feedback was moving and important,” the church expressed. “It has shown us areas in our leadership and culture that need attention and reform. Since February, we have been working hard to make positive changes to our culture and structure.”
In response to these concerns, Bethel Church has already executed several changes, such as canceling the 2026 Healing Conference and reshaping major conferences to better serve local church members. They have also focused on gathering feedback from staff and creating volunteer focus groups to enhance accountability and connection within the church community.
The church has engaged external leadership to evaluate its governance, organizational structure, leadership culture, and operational health. Currently, the daily operations of the church are managed by an executive team led by Steve Moore and Richard Gordon, while senior leaders Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Kathy Vallotton, and Dann Farrelly continue in their ministry roles.
This reform initiative coincides with an ongoing independent investigation into allegations against Armstrong, who served as Bethel’s Prophetic Ministry director and a former pastor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.
Armstrong was placed on administrative leave in February after a former student alleged grooming and sexual abuse in 2009. The investigation is being handled by an independent organization with expertise in complex investigations.
As part of its broader review, Bethel Church is examining leadership accountability, prophetic ministry oversight, pastoral conduct, and other critical areas. This includes reviewing the theological frameworks that have shaped Bethel’s culture and examining teachings on honor, authority, accountability, and power dynamics within its ministry school.
Notably, Bethel has decided to publicly confirm that it no longer endorses several prominent ministry figures, including Todd Bentley, Mike Bickle, Shawn Bolz, and Bob Hartley.
“Following internal review and discussion, we’ve made the decision to confirm publicly that we no longer platform the following individuals,” the church stated, listing the aforementioned figures.
The church has also clarified its stance on restoration versus reinstatement in ministry leadership, emphasizing that while restoration focuses on healing and redemption, reinstatement requires “the fruit of repentance” and trust-building.
“Restoration and reinstatement are not the same thing,” Bethel stated. “Restoration is about healing, repentance, redemption, and helping someone be made whole again in Christ. Reinstatement is about returning someone to a previous position of leadership, influence, or responsibility.”
Regarding Bob Hartley, Bethel has previously restricted his ministry involvement and limited his access to the church campus due to past concerns.
“We restricted his ministry involvement, informed our church community, and later limited his access to Bethel’s campus. As part of our current review, we want to clearly state that Bob Hartley is not endorsed, platformed, or permitted to serve in ministry influence at Bethel,” the church explained.
The church is enhancing its Safe Church reporting processes, strengthening review procedures for misconduct allegations, and consulting with outside experts in clergy accountability and leadership dynamics.
“We believe God is calling us to create a healthier culture,” church leaders wrote. “We want our church family to be known for God’s presence, purity, power, humility, wisdom, integrity, healthy leadership, accountability, safety, and real pastoral care.”
In light of these changes, Jenn Johnson, a senior worship pastor at Bethel, shared with podcaster Alex Enfiedjian that the church is a “very big organization” with diverse beliefs and intentions, indicating ongoing efforts for correction and alignment.
“I definitely have seen a beautiful, healthy correction along the years,” she remarked, noting the church’s leadership comprises “very good, trustworthy people” who strive to live according to Biblical principles.
“We definitely don’t all believe the same things at Bethel,” she added, acknowledging the presence of “very weird things” that have occurred at various leadership levels.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
