Over the decades, I’ve had many conversations behind closed doors about controversies in the charismatic movement. Some of those conversations were difficult, some painful, and some necessary. Recently, I felt it was time to bring one of those discussions into the open.
My longtime friend and former Charisma editor Lee Grady joined me on The Strang Report to talk about what many in the body of Christ are processing right now—the allegations surrounding Shawn Bolz, the response from Bethel Church and what all of this means for the future of the charismatic movement. You can watch it here.
Lee and I go back to 1981, and we’ve seen a lot together. From the early days of the modern charismatic renewal through the rise of Christian media, we’ve watched seasons of genuine Holy Spirit outpouring—and seasons when human failure brought embarrassment and pain. Sadly, this is not the first time leaders have had to confront allegations of prophetic manipulation, moral failure or lack of accountability.
What struck me most in our conversation was Lee’s reminder that none of this is new. From the exposure of fake healings in the 1990s to the painful unraveling of well-known prophetic figures, the church has repeatedly faced moments when discernment was ignored and celebrity was rewarded. And each time, the cost has been high—not just for leaders, but for ordinary believers who trusted them.
This is why discernment matters so much.
Discernment is not cynicism. It’s not suspicion. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit—“the discerning of spirits”—meant to protect the body of Christ. Lee spoke candidly about how, even early in his ministry, he sensed warnings about certain individuals long before their scandals became public. Many of us have had similar impressions but didn’t always know what to do with them—or were hesitant to speak up.
The recent response from Bethel Church deserves careful consideration. Their leaders publicly acknowledged mistakes, including what Bill Johnson described as “unsanctified mercy.” While opinions differ on whether they acted soon enough, I believe humility and repentance are always better than denial and defensiveness. Scripture is clear that tolerating false voices causes damage, and Bethel leaders openly admitted that failing.
At the same time, my heart goes out to those who were hurt—those who felt dismissed, ignored or treated as nuisances when they tried to raise concerns. The church must do better. Whistleblowers should be listened to, not silenced. Protecting platforms should never take precedence over protecting people.
This moment should not drive us away from the Holy Spirit or the gifts of the Spirit. I am not a Cessationist. I believe God still speaks, heals and moves powerfully today. But gifts without fruit will always end in collapse. Character matters. Integrity matters. Holiness matters.
The early Pentecostal and charismatic movements were built not on personality, but on humility, prayer and holiness. Somewhere along the way, celebrity replaced character for some. This is our opportunity to course-correct.
Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Instead, let’s recommit ourselves to both the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit—and pray that this painful chapter becomes a redemptive turning point for the body of Christ.
Stephen Strang has seen major changes in the church, the culture and technology since he founded Charisma magazine in 1975. In addition to being CEO of Charisma Media, he hosts a Strang Report podcast live on YouTube and Rumble at 4 p.m. EST every Tuesday and Thursday. His important recent book, Spirit-Led Living in an Upside-World, is available wherever fine Christian books are sold including online at amazon.com.
