16 years ago, Bethel Church pastor Ben Armstrong reportedly forced an intern into bed with him twice.

Yet instead of firing Armstrong for adult clergy sexual abuse, Bethel labeled his misconduct an affair,

and after a restoration period,

the church reinstated Armstrong and promoted him.

You were surrounded by a supporting cast in the leadership and the way this whole situation

was handled.

Last month, that intern, Sarah, spoke publicly for the very first time about what Armstrong

did and how it traumatized her profoundly.

I have a memory of him dragging my arms, like trying to drag me into the room with him,

not like on the ground, but he's pulling me.

And I remember saying no out loud at least once or twice.

We wind up in bed together.

The next morning I'm like traumatized, like completely confused, probably still dissociated,

and I don't really have much memory of that day or the days after.

Sarah's testimony sparked a firestorm of controversy and prompted Bethel to place Armstrong on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Yet why Bethel would re-platform an abuser is no mystery. It's part of a well-developed theological framework that honors fallen leaders

rather than disqualifying them. We refer to it over and over as the culture of honor,

and there's a lot of dynamics that go to that. People watching this are familiar with that.

You are the living examples of that process and happening.

Why do you think you didn't get fired from your job?

You were a pastor held this vulnerable position of trust.

It just seems natural

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