The Church must learn from the sins of Shawn Bolz. Here are 3 ways to prevent future scandals

The allegations against Shawn Bolz – from fake prophecies to sexual misconduct – are serious. But rather than simply mourning these apparent failures, the Church must learn three vital lessons, says Joe Warton

Like you, I’m sad and angry to see yet another so-called ‘great’ Christian leader fall from grace. Barely a week goes by without their abuse – in one form or another –coming to light. 

Sam Hailes recently did the hard yards of watching the six-hour-long YouTube video from Mike Winger, exposing the alledgedly fake-prophetic activity, as well as the sexual misconduct of Shaun Bolz. Bolz was propelled to the level of global spiritual superstar by Bethel Church in Redding, California. But it turns out his ‘prophecies’ were not so much inspired by the Spirit, as they were lifted from Facebook profiles.  

I don’t think I need a prophetic gift to say he won’t be the last to fall. I take no joy in saying that. But for all of us who are part of Christ’s Church (in whatever capacity), what are the lessons we need to learn? How can we scratch below the headlines and get to the root of what’s going on? And how can we build healthier church cultures so that these cases of abuse and cover-up become less and less of a thing? 

Here are three things I think we should be working on.