Christian leader Shawn Bolz appears to have stepped back from public ministry after allegations of sexual misconduct and spiritual manipulation were made against him.

Bolz’s website states in large font that he is “on a sabbatical,” without further explanation. His social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram, have been deactivated.

Leaders at Bethel Church, where Bolz was affiliated for many years, issued a public apology over the weekend, acknowledging failures in their response to allegations that first surfaced in 2019.

“We are clear that we are not responsible for Shawn’s sin; he is. But we are equally clear that we are responsible for our sins, actions, and inactions after the fact,” leaders Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton and Dann Farrelly wrote in a joint statement. “James 4:17 states, ‘So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.’”

A message on Bolz's website declares that he is 'on sabbatical'

Bethel leader Kris Vallotton said sexual harassment allegations against Bolz emerged in 2019 and that Bolz denied the claims when confronted.

“After further investigation, which included speaking to three of Shawn’s former team members, the accusations were corroborated and showed that this was a culture within Shawn’s team,” Vallotton added.

Bethel leaders admitted they had “hurt” and “scared people” because they “did not want to tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough, or loud enough”.

“Our hearts are grieved, and embarrassed,” they said. “When we sin or mess up publicly as we have, it’s important to take responsibility publicly, to listen as people share their frustration, sadness, fears, and corrections.”

Bethel said it would now recommit to “responsibility, truth, accountability, and transformation in Christ” and enact “greater levels of oversight within our staff and leadership”.