Bethel Church — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Dann Farrelly (Lead Pastor since 2021). Bill Johnson remains Senior Leader / apostolic figurehead.

Founded Unknown

Denomination Non-denominational

Service Times Verify on website — 11,000+ members; Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.bethel.com

Pastor Credentials Verify

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Bethel's 'kenosis' Christology (Jesus performed miracles as a man empowered by the Holy Spirit, not from His divine nature) is outside historic orthodoxy and trends toward functional Nestorianism / adoptionism.

WARNING!

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Bethel elevates 'fresh revelation', prophetic words, and impartation to practical co-authority with Scripture.

WARNING!

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Not featured.

WARNING!

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Prosperity-adjacent 'atmosphere of heaven' theology; signs-and-wonders emphasis overshadows substitutionary atonement in practice.

WARNING!

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

Beni Johnson (deceased 2022) co-pastored with Bill Johnson; egalitarian practice.

Disqualifier

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Dann Farrelly installed as Lead Pastor 2021. Bill Johnson pastored from 1996; Eric and Candace Johnson previously held senior pastoral roles before relocating. BSSM 'School of Supernatural Ministry' churns out 2,000+ students annually. Documented patterns of prophetic-abuse and coercive-control via BSSM; 'grave soaking' and 'Christalignment' tarot-card-adjacent practices documented.

Disqualifier

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Motivational / prophetic / impartation — not expository.

Disqualifier

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

'Worldwide transformation through revival' and 'manifest presence' — mission diluted by signs-and-wonders emphasis.

WARNING!

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Charismatic celebrity culture; Jesus Culture / Bethel Music global export; NAR apostolic-prophetic networking.

WARNING!

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Independent; central node of the New Apostolic Reformation. No external confessional accountability.

Disqualifier

Assessment

Bethel Church Redding is a controversial charismatic congregation led by Bill Johnson. Known for Bethel Music, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), and claims of signs and wonders. Concerns include prosperity theology elements, 'grave soaking' practices associated with some members, and theological positions outside mainstream evangelicalism. The NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) connections are concerning. Exercise significant theological caution.

#california#national#charismatic#nae

Sources & Evidence

Enrichment Notes

Pastor correction: Dann Farrelly is Lead Pastor, not Bill Johnson. Textbook NAR black-tier — kenosis Christology + fresh-revelation scripture + prophetic-abuse allegations + husband-wife co-pastor history.

These are the URLs consulted to arrive at this church's scoring. Score-note claims are synthesized from homepage content, denominational directories, and public statements of faith at the time of review. Church websites change frequently; we're progressively adding Internet Archive snapshots to prevent link rot.

[1] Live source bethel.com/about/

Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.