Bethel Church has announced a series of significant leadership and governance reforms, including the decision to no longer platform, endorse, or support several high-profile ministers, as the influential California-based megachurch seeks to strengthen accountability and rebuild trust following recent controversies.
In leadership updates released on May 28, Bethel stated that it will no longer platform or endorse Mike Bickle, Shawn Bolz, Todd Bentley, and Bob Hartley. Church leaders said the decision reflects a commitment to biblical standards for ministry leadership and recognizes that public endorsement carries significant responsibility.
"Because our endorsement carries real weight and responsibility, we cannot platform, endorse, or support someone if there are proven patterns of behavior that do not align with biblical standards," the church said.
Bethel noted that ministers who serve publicly must "live above reproach" and serve as examples to the body of Christ. While the church provided specific details only regarding Bob Hartley, leaders said they wanted to make clear that Hartley is not endorsed, platformed, or permitted to serve in ministry influence at Bethel.
The announcement comes amid broader efforts to improve what church leaders described as the organization's overall health. Bethel has faced increased scrutiny in recent years over its handling of allegations involving ministers connected to its network, including prophetic minister Shawn Bolz and former International House of Prayer Kansas City founder Mike Bickle, who stepped away from ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct. Evangelist Todd Bentley has also remained a controversial figure due to past moral failures and questions surrounding his ministry practices.
At the same time, Bethel continues to undergo a comprehensive review of its governance and leadership structures. Earlier this spring, the church announced it had engaged an independent third-party expert to examine its governance, leadership culture, and organizational systems following allegations against Ben Armstrong, the church's former prophetic ministry director, who was placed on administrative leave.
In its latest update, Bethel acknowledged shortcomings in how some concerns were previously handled.
"The engagement of outside professionals earlier may have been helpful, and we could have provided more open communication and offered clearer, timelier responses," the church stated.
Church leaders emphasized that they will not comment on the ongoing independent investigation involving Armstrong and do not oversee the timeline of that process.
As part of its restructuring efforts, Bethel has transferred day-to-day operational oversight to an executive leadership team while increasing the role and authority of its board of elders. The church has also restructured and, in some cases, canceled conferences as it reassesses ministry priorities and oversight systems.
Senior leaders Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Kathy Vallotton, and Dann Farrelly will continue serving in their current roles under what the church described as appropriate accountability and oversight structures.
Bethel also confirmed that it is reviewing leadership culture and power dynamics within the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), one of the church's most influential ministries, which attracts students from around the world.
A major theme of the church's statement was the distinction between restoration and reinstatement. While emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and spiritual restoration, Bethel said returning individuals to positions of public influence requires careful discernment and rebuilt trust.
"We should always pursue restoration, but reinstatement must be approached with wisdom, because grace offers forgiveness, but it does not remove the need for stewardship, consequences, and rebuilding trust," the church said.
Concluding its update, Bethel pledged that its reforms would be demonstrated not merely through statements but through long-term action.
"We are committed to showing real change through our actions, lasting cultural shifts, and a renewed commitment to live according to the standards that Scripture calls us to."
The changes represent one of the most significant organizational overhauls in Bethel's recent history and signal a growing emphasis on accountability, governance, transparency, and healthy leadership culture within one of the most influential churches in the global Charismatic movement.
