We previously communicated in February that TOM had received a summary overview of the investigation findings from APEX church into the founding member of The Order of Mission Mike Breen.

The Senior Guardian Mark Burgess has now made a formal decision around Mike’s involvement in TOM, with counsel taken from the current leadership of TOM and oversight and advice from Bishop Ric Thorpe our Senior Visitor. This has been a thorough and lengthy process and one that has not been taken lightly.

Mike Breen has now been removed as a member of the Order of Mission.

There have also been concerns raised about historic leadership patterns during the time when Mike Breen was in a leadership position within the Order. A process to look into these concerns is currently on-going and we will share any findings in due course with a commitment to learn from them.

We are currently working with our Senior Visitor and the National Safeguarding Team of the Church of England to develop plans for a learning event. It is hoped this will facilitate sharing any experiences we need to hear and learnings that we need to take from this or past situations, and to begin to understand what changes or repentant actions need to be made within our global family, our culture, leadership and governance.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns by email at secretary@missionorder.org 

You can also contact:

Sarah Ashelby - TOM UK Safeguarding Lead safeguarding@missionorder.org;

Sarah Price - Church of England Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Sarah.Price@coventry.anglican.org;

Bishop Ric Thorpe - Senior Visitor to The Order of Mission bishop.islington@london.anglican.org 

We would like to give you an update on our recent communication with members.

In late 2023, TOM became aware of an investigation into Mike Breen’s behaviour at APEX Church. We immediately began our safeguarding processes and contacted APEX to request a summary of the investigation findings once they were complete. When we became aware in early January 2024 that the investigation had been completed, we formally requested the findings in writing.

We continued to request details of the APEX investigation report from APEX Church. We sent out an email on 18th January to all TOM members expressing our sadness and concern about the reports of an investigation into Mike Breen. We also put this on our website.

We recognise that for some members there may have been a sense of frustration over what we have been able to say during that time. We were seeking to navigate the tension between what was legally and pastorally appropriate to say, with a desire to be open and transparent with the Order and the wider public. We take all concerns or allegations seriously.

On Friday 2nd February we received a summary overview of the investigation findings from APEX church. This stated that Mike Breen had admitted to behaviour that amounted to professional sexual misconduct and that he had subsequently resigned from his leadership post at APEX church.

All members of the Order take vows of simplicity, purity and accountability and these are lifelong, serious commitments. Everyone who holds leadership or pastoral roles within any Christian community has the responsibility to maintain healthy boundaries and to reject inappropriate misuses of positions and power. Any behaviour by a member of the Order of Mission which abuses a position of trust is unacceptable. We are therefore responding to these events as a safeguarding concern, as per our safeguarding procedures. We will continue to actively respond to this situation with regular accountability to our Episcopal Visitor +Ric Thorpe, and frequent advice from our safeguarding advisor Sarah Price.

We remain committed to the safety and wellbeing of all TOM members.

If you have any concerns about or have been affected by the behaviour of any TOM member, past or present, please contact one of the following people who will listen to what you have to say:

Sarah Ashelby (TOM UK Safeguarding Lead) uksafeguarding@missionorder.org
Sarah Price (Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor) Sarah.Price@coventry.anglican.org
Siân Checkley (Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor – Sheffield Diocese) Sian.Checkley@sheffield.anglican.org

Please be assured that any concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and appropriate support will be offered.

Wider pastoral support is and will continue to be offered to any TOM member who has been particularly affected by this news. Please contact Neil and Natalie Shepherd (UK/Global) on shepherds@missionorder.org or Nate & Natalie Shoemaker (USA) on usa@missionorder.org in confidence if this would be helpful.

We know that as an Order and spiritual family there will need to come a time where we reflect on our own ongoing commitment to intentionally developing and nurturing healthy cultures in our communities. As individuals, many of us may already be starting to do this, and we continue to welcome any conversations about how we could develop this further - thank you to those who have already contacted the Global office with your thoughts.

Please continue in joining us in prayer and support for all those who have been affected at this time.

We will be contacting members soon about upcoming opportunities to pray and connect together as we reflect on our story so far and look to the future, anticipating where God will take us next, and developing the vision for our Global Gathering in July.

Grace and peace,

Gareth Irvine - TOM Global Secretary
Mark Burgess - TOM Senior Guardian
Neil Shepherd - Chair of UK Trustees of TOM
Nate & Natalie Shoemaker - USA TOM Guardians

The Order of Mission is sad to receive news concerning an investigation into Mike Breen in the context of his employment at a church in the United States.

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all TOM members.

If you have any concerns about or have been affected by the behaviour of any TOM member, past or present, please contact one of the following people who will listen to what you have to say:

Sarah Ashelby (TOM UK Safeguarding Lead) uksafeguarding@missionorder.org
Sarah Price (Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor) Sarah.Price@coventry.anglican.org
Siân Checkley (Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor – Sheffield Diocese) Sian.Checkley@sheffield.anglican.org

Please be assured that any concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and appropriate support will be offered.

Whilst Mike has not been involved in the leadership of TOM for over eight years, we recognise there may be a sadness, hurt and concern across the TOM family upon hearing this news as Mike was the founder and Senior Guardian for a significant time. We are actively responding to this news with the support of our Senior Visitor +Ric Thorpe and our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.

Please join us in prayer and support for those who have been affected at this time.

Gareth Irvine – TOM Global Secretary
Neil Shepherd – Chair of UK Trustees of TOM
Mark Burgess – TOM Senior Guardian