<![CDATA[Bob Highlands PodCast]]> http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/ EN Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:27:00 +0000 Incomedia WebSite X5 Pro <![CDATA[3DM Warning Part 04 ]]> imblog
A Word of Caution Concerning

WHATEVER Mike Breen Is Up To NOW?


(This is a complation of updated resources and information about 3DM and Mike Breen.
I have had little information since Mike Breen moved from his Island inland and took
up residence in the church there. I you have any more recent information please feel free to share it.)
Updated January 23, 2016 Updates in Black type
Updated February 17, 2016 Updates in Green type
Updated March 8, 2016 Updates in BLUE type
Updated March 26, 2016 Updates in ORANGE type
Updated May 25, 2016 UPDATES in BRIGHT PINK
Personal UPDATE
Since I first published these post I have received emails and phone calls from across the U.S. thanking me and also asking, “What can be done?” In two long phone calls it was obvious not much could be done because the damage was too severe. I continue to post not to dissuade those already involved in 3DM but to sound a warning to those who might have the opportunity to not take this path following the teachings of Mike Breen. I have shown enough of his bad theology in Warning number 2 for anyone who wants to see the truth. Those who follow the teachings of Mike Breen want nothing to do with anything I have to say. I respect their right to disagree. Yet, I feel the warnings are on target and helping some make informed decisions concerning 3DM. An email from England helps put it into perspective from someone who had spent 10 years close to 3DM and had Mike Breen as his pastor:
Dear Bob,
I’m getting in touch having seen your “3DM Warning” articles. I’m from the UK and was a member of St Thomas’ Church, Crookes between 1996–2006; and of course, for most of that time, the church was under Mike Breen’s leadership.
I wanted to thank you for writing your critique, in such a respectful tone but pointing out the problems with 3DM clearly, and hope that it will serve as a timely warning to many. I think 3DM is largely a heavy burden of unnecessary legalism, essentially, and agree that it is therefore likely to be unhelpful and is potentially spiritually dangerous.  Mark T- (used by permission)
Emails, phone calls and personal contacts by pastors and members of churches have continued to come in. Several of them did not want to be identified because of working relationships with some who are involved in 3DM. I respect their conflict of conscience but wish more were speaking up and adding their voices to the conservation.
UPDATE NUMBER ONE:
Mike Breen is off on a new direction and what appears to be an effort to get into every and any church that has used 3DM training materials. In his post dated October 22, 2015, titled ‘My New Assignment'[i] after patting himself on the back he lays out his vision of what is coming next. Mike does this in his usual rambling and coded wording that only he and the other insiders really know what he is saying. Speaking for himself and his wife, Sally, he then gets to the heart of the matter.
“So this is what Sally and I am going to focus on. We’re going to help any leaders in the movement who, having been through the 3DM Learning Community process, would like the necessary investment to learn how to bring these essential elements together. We’re going to help leaders to see fundamental breakthrough in their own communities and movemental impact in the world.”[ii]
I thought that is what people and churches were paying thousands of dollars for to begin with. Mike Breen writes, “Now that a discipling culture and a missional mindset have been thoroughly established in many churches around the world, I would love to see all of those churches become centers of movemental transformation – churches that change the world!”[iii]
I warned that this “MOVEMENT” was more than just common teachings or values. It appears that Mike is moving toward joining these churches together into a “MOVEMENT” he is directly influencing on a continuing and long-term basis. I personally do not believe he plans to stop there but only time will tell.
Under his new buzzword “Selfless Memes” he says, “memes are vital to the way in which a movement grows and self propagates.” Remember that this all goes back Mike Breen as the founder of The Order of Missions and all this is based on his teachings. The DNA is The Order of Mission and the vehicle up to now was 3DM. He is now working to join the 3DM churches into a “MOVEMENT” in which he plays a vital lead part.
This is followed by an invitation to ‘young leaders,’ ‘seasoned leaders,’ ‘Senior Pastors and their spouses,’ to contact him directly.
UPDATE NUMBER TWO:
Mike has also found a new way to make money. He used to head up both TOM and 3DM, having stated in an online video “3DM is really the business arm of TOM.”[iv] Since something happened at 3DM and TOM and he is not running either one of them now he needs a new source of income. He writes “To augment this new season of mission and ministry I plan to start a new series of daily devotionals.” Sounds good? These daily devotions are being sold for “subscription plans from $9.99 / month or $99 / year.”[v] I predict, this is only a temporary fix and he will be asking any church that works with him in this new movement of “Selfless Memes”  to pay for the service.
UPDATE NUMBER THREE:
NOTE: It is up to each church to choose its beliefs and doctrinal direction. My concern here is that Mike Breen is assuming the mantel of Leadership for a movement and his influence into churches that have traditionally taken a different direction may find this present course another point of conflict.
Mike has listed a fascination with Pentecostalism dating back to the turn of the century and sees it as the foundation of the future church.  Speaking about the 21st century he writes, “I wonder what new movement the Lord has planned for this Century? I’m sure it will build on Pentecostalism–but what will it be?”[vi] This statement is both a prediction of where he is headed and also a warning to those church who have not embraced Pentecostalism as part of their doctrinal statements.[vii]
His view of Pentecostalism is skewed. He states, “Of course Pentecostalism in the 20th Century is built on the Wesleyan message and revivals of the 19th century.”[viii] The historical record does not support his statement.[ix] The goal here is not to separate myself from those of the Pentecostal movement but to suggest Mike Breen has done enough damage to existing churches without getting involved and prorogating Pentecostalism. At the same time those in the Pentecostal movement should be wary of Mike Breen and how he will use Pentecostalism to infiltrate churches with the 3DM – TOM DNA.
RUMORS of Bankruptcy (UPDATE March 26, 2016)
Rumors of 3DM going bankrupt appear to be sloppy work of some of those using the internet without going deeper than the headlines on a search engine. The infamous Chinese forum for cracking computer games ‘3DM’ has spoken about going bankrupt and at the same time releasing its source code to the cracking software 3DM. So you want to know why I put this here. Some have seen that 3DM is going bankrupt and assumed it was the 3DM associated with Mike Breen. I guarantee if this was true it would be all over the place. 3DM is used in association with a music festival, some lightweight navigational technology, a leather shoe company, a Chinese video game hacking group, an Australian marketing company, a computer program for analyzing 3D digital data, a surfboard shaping machine, a medical company producing replacement body parts using 3D printing technology… and I am sure there are more.
Recently I was told no longer to worry about Mike Breen or 3DM because they were bankrupt. This appears to be a rumor founded on assuming that 3DM only applies to Mike Breen. The danger is still real and as of yesterday, I heard from an individual that had attended a 3DMovement workshop within the last two weeks in the Boston area where they offered a 30% discount for those who signed up for the full two years before leaving. 3DM is theologically, philosophically and financially bankrupting churches but it does not appear 3DMovements is bankrupt or out of business.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mike Breen points to the success of the past but after he is gone it is often exactly the opposite. Many churches and colleges that were associated with him in the past either deny he or 3DM has any current links, or find themselves in disarray. One example of this is North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills Minnesota. According to the StarTribune [x] headlines, “Ex-megachurch in Arden Hills nearing its last service, North Heights Lutheran, which once drew several thousand, has fallen victim to internal strife.” Not mentioned in the article is the fact it was 3DM teachings that ripped this church apart. Mike Breen’s neo-monastic approach to ministry along with his non-biblical teachings were the foundation for the destruction of this and many other churches.   I continue to caution anyone considering using 3DM or Mike Breen as a consultant in any way to prayerfully reconsider.
Update May 25, 2016 – GREENVILLE SC – Bridgeway Church
Mike Breen (3DM and the Order of missions founder) and Paul Maconochie (Works with teams who resource and equip Hubs for 3DM) have located their offices in the church. (They are no longer directly associated with 3DM but are drawing from those trained by 3DM for their new ministry to be directly involved with these pastors in their local churches.) This after Chad Norris (co-founded Wayfarer ministries which was sold to 3DM) became the pastor of Bridgeway church in Greenville SC in 2015 following a merger of two churches. Since then there has been a steady changeover to 3DM terminology and leadership in the church. They are deeply involved with the 3DM regional learning communities and are about 75% of the way through the reprogramming process for the local church.  Bridgeway Church is quickly being transitioned into a church using 3DM in all areas. The Christian School is reported to have pulled out of several accrediting agencies for Christian schools and is discouraging anyone from asking questions about the changes.  After keeping a low profile after decentralizing 3DM Mike Breen is now personally mentoring a small group of pastors  (currently unofficially reported at 30).  Any church with leadership tied to 3DM in the USA should be wary of what could be the beginning of Mike Breen’s move in uniting churches with 3DM training together under his controlling leadership and evolving theology.
Bob Highlands III – January 23, 2016, February 17, 2016, March 9, 2016, May 25, 2016

© 2015-2018 Bob Highlands III

FOLLOW-UP
The following are emails and comments I received from the previous blog where these materials were posted. I have limted their responses and comments to a date and first name or initial.
2-4-2016  Thank you so much for this. I am struggleling with my church moving into this after attending there for over nine years with my young daughters. I do not like any of it. You helped make my decision.  RUSTIN
10-20-2016 I only heard about our church paying a sum of money to 3DM last night without the PCC being informed lam not happy we the congregation have not been asked about the impact all this will have as the new vicar is from Sheffield and st Thomas now l understand some of the things he is saying and doing, oh dear what to do now? J. K.
11-3-2016 This has happened in the church my father has attended for over 50 years. He is a lay preacher and was a warden until 3dm was imposed – he is no longer a warden and has now been told he won’t be asked to preach because he doesn’t agree with the way the church is heading. How can such a highly respected and loved member of the church be almost expelled by a vicar who turned to him for support and inspiration up to 6 months ago . It is frightening to see how a well educated leader can be brainwashed into the beliefs of 3dm. I would suggest that this is where the devil’s work is really at its best. Helen
2-2-2017 To those reading this and replying to it, I used to attend the church where Breens rampage and megalomania first began to take root, St Thomas Church, Crookes, Sheffield UK. I went there from 1994 until I left the UK in 2002. The church did a lot of good, many in the leadership were excellent but Breen was very charismatic, intelligent, humourless and passionate speaker and he led many, blindfolded, in to a creation that was not Christ like. A lady called Helen replied here about her father basically getting ostracised because he question 3DM. Breen, whilst at St Toms, surrounded himself with young people, (easily led and influenced, in a similar way Hitler tried to do with the Hitler Youth, get them whilst they are young). Breen instigated a prog called YAPS, Young Adult Placement Scheme, and many on this prog were put in to positions of leadership in the year after their undergraduate degree had finished. Whilst doing this, one of my friends, and the worship team he was in who were all older, wiser etc, were told before they led worship on a Sunday morning, ‘after today, you will no longer be required’. I believe they were removed so young people could replace them and be easily led by Breen. (At this time I was 23 years old and it did not sit easy with me then but I was still taken in and not wise enough to challenge it). So I have seen first hand what Breen and his young cronies can behave like. I would love to email in more details for the author of this blog to publish and share more about the true nature of TOM, 3DM and Breen, as a warning.  ADAM
There have been many other emails, calls and notes. Almost all ask not to be quoted or identified. These post are hopes there will be fewer of these and fewer churches caught up in this terrible teaching. Occasionally someone write saying I should take down these post. I have spent too many hours on the phone and read too many emails of those who have had their churches torn apart by 3DM.
[i] http://www.3dmovements.com/my-new-assignment-a-personal-note-from-mike-breen/  Accessed January 23, 2016
[ii] http://www.3dmovements.com/my-new-assignment-a-personal-note-from-mike-breen/  Accessed January 23, 2016
[iii] http://www.3dmovements.com/my-new-assignment-a-personal-note-from-mike-breen/  Accessed January 23, 2016
[iv] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISHmABoC6Y  Accessed January 23, 2016  quote is found starting at 43 minutes and 18 seconds into the video.
[v] http://www.disciplingculture.com/  Accessed January 23, 2016
[vi] http://www.disciplingculture.com/new-fire-new-wind/   Accessed January 23, 2016 emphasis added
[vii] I am slated to release a book on the subject in 2017 titled, “The Truth About Tongues.” I disagree with the Biblical premise of the Tongues movement but find common ground in our belief of Christ as both Savior and Lord.
[viii] http://www.disciplingculture.com/new-fire-new-wind/  Accessed January 23, 2016
[ix] Without being over simplistic I believe he has completely missed the mark and is as usual making it up as he goes along. The change in the church that took place in the 19th century (the 1800’s for those who get confused with such dating) was in many ways both a revival or renewal of the church at large while at the same time it was a breakdown of Christian values with no Biblical bases which has led to a proliferation of cults, sects an anything goes attitude. The Pentecostal movement was dramatically different from the revivals of the 19th century and was based on an existential belief in a new found truth and not the teachings or principals of Wesley.
An excellent book to look at this is ‘The Democratization of American Christianity’ by Nathan Hatch. This shows the overall effect and how these changes took place. For those who would like to see how it applied to the start of a new church movement or denomination ‘I Saw the Church’ by Merle D. Strege shows the way this attitude was played out through formation of the Church of God, Anderson, movement.
Nathan O. Hatch, The Democratization of American Christianity. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1989.
Merle D. Strege, I Saw The Church, the life of the Church of God told Theologically. Anderson: Warner Press, 2002.
[x] http://www.startribune.com/ex-megachurch-in-arden-hills-nearing-its-last-service/371474331/  Accessed March 9, 2016
]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:27:00 GMT http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/?3dm-warning-part-04- http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/rss/000000006 <![CDATA[3DM Warining part 03]]> imblog
A Word of Caution Concerning 3DM & The Order of Mission
PART THREE
What every church leader and member should know before their local church gets involved with 3DMovement and The Order of Mission.
(3DM warning part THREE shows how the Church of God Anderson IN. and the Pacific NorthWest Association
(PNA) have incorporated 3DM in their local churches and the movement.)

I am part of the Church of God, Anderson IN. This is also known as the Church of God, Holiness, Reformation Movement. The following observations are in direct reference to this movement but may apply to others. I submit them for consideration and out of a great concern for this movement.
Jim Lyon the General Director for the General Assembly of the Church of God, Anderson, reported “exploring” 3DM as a “potential partner and resource channels for leadership, congregational, and national church development”[i] This statement has been used to justify the use of 3DM in local districts. This is further highlighted by the Church of God’s national office support for 3DM on one of its websites.

The above screen clipping is taken from the BE BOLD ACADEMY (http://www.beboldacademy.org/index.cfm/pageID/4707/index.html accessed February 15, 2016)  web site ran by the Church of God Anderson Indiana. It uses language written by 3DM and used on their web site. (http://www.3dmovements.com/about/  Accessed February 15, 2016) Only the last line is added on the Church of God website, listing two Church of God ministers one of which is the district Minister for the Pacific NW Association of the Church of God (Lloyd Moritz). Right below their names is a link that takes you directly to the 3DMOVEMENTS main website. Ministers are directed under CHURCH HEALTH: Revitalization to use 3DM.
In 2013-2016 the Pacific North-West Association of the Church of God located in Washington, Oregon and Idaho will have spent over $500,000.00 on establishing new churches using 3DM materials and polity. Another $20,000.00 was allocated to bring 3DM teachings and polity to at least two existing churches.[ii] The total funds available that is currently designated for new church plants that will use the 3DM model is over one million dollars.[iii] Other events have occurred where established PNA churches were encouraged to participate in discovering 3DM for their local churches. The materials presented here in the three sections have been presented to the Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God board of directors and to the executive director. I can sum up their response so far in two words, ‘Trust me.’ They have continued to spend the funds on these 3DM linked projects. I can do no more than present the facts and hope someone, somewhere is listening. In my opinion no Church of God congregation, district, church plant or national figure should endorse or be using the 3DM materials.
Here are some additional concerns I have in this matter as it relates directly to the Church of God Holiness Reformation Movement (Anderson) referenced here as CHOG.
The spending and sending of CHOG dollars to an organization that is directly tied to the Church of England should not be an acceptable practice for the CHOG. The CHOG and the PNA is low on funds and asking for every congregation to send more. Yet how many would knowingly send their funds to the CHOG and the PNA if they knew it was being paid to 3DM.[v] 3DM’s structure, background, doctrinal beliefs, questionable exegetical methods and leadership are not in keeping with our beliefs or traditions. Using any CHOG or PNA funds for 3DM training and church planting should not be an acceptable practice.
It is not to say there may not be some good in the methods or in some of the teachings or methods presented by 3DM and TOM. Yet, we know the Mormon church does good, but we would not turn over the supervision of new churches to them even though they do a better job of that then we do. We know Shriners hospitals help many children, yet we would not choose to take or share in their vows in our local churches.
The stated goal of TOM and 3DM is to plant churches in major cities. Why is the Church of God planting churches for TOM and 3DM and by extension the Church of England? It is called the 3DMovement for a reason.
Left to its own natural order 3DM will develop “into an all-encompassing, controlling factor within [a] church”[vi] as it did at North Heights Lutheran church. The leadership felt that “3DM [had] become… a governing rule at NHLC.”[vii] The telling statement in their letter reads; “Leaders were compelled to begin utilizing the language and teachings of 3DM. This drained finances, staff availability, a sense of community, and even usurped the power of the Holy Spirit.”[viii] This is not about training; it is about 3DM taking over the lives and ministry of local churches. The depth and control of 3DM appears to extend to controlling pastoral leadership and slowly taking over churches. This total transformation includes removing those who do not agree as not being “Persons of peace” while indoctrinating the rest of the congregation with “Lifeshapes” as the new language of believers.
Gathering information to present on 3DM, The Order of Mission and Mike Breen is a lot like trying to herd cats. One moment it is there and the next it is gone. The end-notes contain additional information and web addresses where I accessed the information. Some of it has completely disappeared, while others have been scrubbed and changed to reflect a more ecumenical format. The web shot at the end of part 2 should on its own show the real structure of 3DM and TOM. The video referenced on youtube is the most telling of all. Mike Breen confirms the original intent and purpose of creating 3DM to spread the teaching of the Order of Missions and to serve as the financial arm for TOM. The materials on 3DM, TOM and Mike Breen are not listed in any one place and appear to contradict what some have heard at training they received at 3DM events. The local church I pastor is currently examining how much financial support they should provide to any organization that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on planting churches[ix] that use the 3DM materials. They also have great concerns about national leadership that seems to endorse 3DM to local churches and regional districts. NOTE: I personally wrote to Jim Lyons the National Director for Church of God Ministries (Anderson) concerning this matter in 2014 but did not receive a reply. At a meeting in March of 2016 held at Fairview Church of God in Seattle WA. I personally handed Rev. Lyons a second letter that he said he would respond to. I am still waiting as of May 2017.
As I complete this three part series of reports on 3DM, TOM and Mike Breen it is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many facets I have not covered. I have written nothing dealing with ‘the Covenant Kingdom Network’ (CKN). Someone else will have to figure that one out. Each pastor and local congregation will have to wrestle with these materials. I hope these materials have been beneficial in opening eyes and hearts to the truth that is 3DM, TOM and the teachings and theology of Mike Breen. As the updates show Mike Breen has moved on from director of 3DM to a new movement to reach the leaders (pastors) of churches and work with them directly.  Looking at his past tract record this should not be seen as positive in any way. Many have written and some have called me asking what can be done to help get 3DM out of their churches. In most cases the sad truth is nothing. The best way is to be forewarned and to keep 3DM out of your church in the first place.
In Christ service
Bob Highlands III
© 2015-2017 Bob Highlands III
[i] http://www.jesusisthesubject.org/files/downloads/documents/ga/2014GAPacket-FinalSections4-7.pdf page 56 Accessed March 18, 2015 Report from the General Director to the 2014 General Assembly 10 ‐ Month Summary – Submitted on 19 June 2014 has been pointed to by local PNA officials as proof that the GA and your office are in support of 3DM.
http://www.jesusisthesubject.org/files/downloads/documents/ga/2014GAPacket-FinalSections4-7.pdf page 56 Accessed March 18, 2015
[ii] This is shown in the budgets for 2014 thru 2016 under church plants. All church plants are designed by the Executive director and the PNA board of directors to use 3DM materials and are part of the 3DM launch process. http://www.pnacog.org/documents/Budget%202014-2015.pdf http://www.pnacog.org/documents/Budget%202014-2015.pdfhttp://www.pnacog.org/documents/Budget%202015-2016.pdf all Accessed July 14, 2014 $20,000.00 was also designated to help existing PNA churches transition or bring 3DM into their local congregations. http://www.pnacog.org/PNA/documents/board/Minutes-1305.pdf Accessed July 14, 2015
[iii] http://www.pnacog.org/PNA/documents/finances/2014-08-Balance_Sheet-FINAL.pdf Accessed Juyl 15. 2015
[iv] 1 Corinthians 15.33
[v] These funds donated by the churches of the PNA may not go directly to the 3DM church plants but the donated funds of the PNA churches are supporting the organization (PNA) that is planting the new churches.
[vi] http://northheightschristianacademy.org/more-info/3dm ‘our’ replaced with ‘a.’ This letter is an open declaration of what many have stated privately.
[vii] http://northheightschristianacademy.org/more-info/3dm verb tense changed for better reading flow.
[viii] http://northheightschristianacademy.org/more-info/3dm accessed August 18, 2014
[ix] Much of the money used to plant these new churches comes from churches that closed and left the property to be sold and the funds used to plant a new church. PNA Leadership has told me since this has not come in through regular church giving it should not be my concern. Those saints who built those churches sacrificed as members of local Church of God, Anderson, IN congregations. They must be rolling over in their graves to know that the money is being used to establish new churches on the 3DM – TOM model. Currently over $500.000.00 has been spent or is budgeted to be spent on these new church plants through 2016 in the PNA using the funds from these closed churches.

]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:04:00 GMT http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/?3dm-warining-part-03 http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/rss/000000005 <![CDATA[3DM Warning Part 02]]> imblog
A Word of Caution Concerning 3DM & The Order of Mission
PART TWO
What every church leader and member should know before their local church gets involved with 3DMovement and The Order of Mission.
(3DM Warning Part TWO covers the background of 3DM and the Order of Missions along with Mike Breen's approach to Thelology and interpreting the Word of God.)
Notes & Observations
The following are various notes and observations about the 3DMovement and Mike Breen. They are only the tip of the preverbal iceberg. I am convinced that 3DM is founded on non-biblical application of scripture as set forward by Mike Breen and those closest to him. I have tried to reference the most obvious and often disputed arguments. On several occasions I have either met with or talked with people involved in 3DM over the phone or in person. I reference one of these conservations in part ONE.
The Church of God Anderson, IN[i] was founded with a strong tie to the scriptures. At the founding of the movement we threw out almost everything else, but we clung to the Bible with disregard for all else. This was our strength and what we brought as a movement to the world. One of the favorite hymns of our founding is The Church’s Jubilee.[ii] The second verse begins, “The Bible is our rule of faith and Christ alone is Lord.” Those who have allowed 3DMovement into their churches must consider that Mike Breen is not a Bible scholar but one who, when his teachings are examined they, twist, extort, and set forward meaning not intended and never before seen. He does this openly and without apology in his blogs, videos and books. Yet, when these teachings are examined they do not stand up to the light of day. His teachings are exactly that. They are Mike Breen’s teachings and should not be used in any churches “rule of faith.”
Keys to understanding and examining the 3DMovement and Mike Breen are:
Scripture application and interpretation
How the church is viewed and modeled by 3DMovement
The foundation background of 3DMovement, TOM (the Order of Mission) & Mike Breen
Ministry tools such as lifeshapes
Warning signs or tendencies of the 3DMovement
These are only briefly referenced here but they are enough to at least be a warning.
Mike Breen’s approach to theology and interpreting the Word of God
Here are several examples of how Mike Breen interprets scripture. He does not support his statements and in fact if checked they are many times absolutely not true. Basing his books upon his personal teaching, interpretation and assumptions he is able to proof text this new movement into existence with remarkable ease. The following examples should be enough to make anyone question the entire 3DM model and teachings.
Breen builds his teachings upon his own misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the Word of God. An example of this is when Breen takes the promise of God to Abram in Genesis 15.1-2[iii] where it says “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and your very great reward. But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD…” Breen writes “”Shield” and “Sovereign” are the same word in Hebrew.”[iv] He proceeds to show this as the foundation of his teaching about ‘Covenant.’ He makes a great emphasis about this. (Genesis 15.2) Breen writes, “Using the same word the Lord had used for himself, Abram replies: “Oh Sovereign Lord…”[v] I checked and it is NOT the same word. In Genesis 15.1 the Hebrew word for shield is ‘magen or maginnah,” which means a shield and comes from the word to cover or surround or defend yourself. The word ‘magen or maginnah’ appears 60 times in scripture and never means sovereign. It is translated two times as ‘armed,’ one time as ‘buckler,’ one time as ‘large,’ one time as ‘ruler’ when referring to a shameful ruler in Hosea 4.18, one time as ‘scales,’ and fifty-seven times as ‘shield or shields,’ but never is it translated nor does it ever mean sovereign. This while the word used in Genesis 15.2 for Sovereign is the Hebrew word, “Adonay,’ which appears 459 times in the Old Testament and is translated ‘Lord’ 456 times, ‘lord’ one time and ‘lords’ two times. It is not the same word used in Genesis 15.1 for shield and is never ever translated shield. They are two distinct and different words except in the writings of Mike Breen.
Such a blatant misstatement should have caught the eye of every preacher and Christian who reads his writings but instead it is seen as the foundation for how the believer is to see his or her relationship with God. Here is another example of Mike Breen making it up as he goes along.
He does this with the word ‘covenant.’ He says, “Covenant is the way in which the Bible describes and defines relationships: First our relationship with God and then or relationship with everyone else. “[vi] He even says “the word [covenant] means “to become one.”[vii] Yet the word ‘covenant appears over 270 times in the Bible and nowhere does it mean “to become one.” There are five variations of the word translated covenant in the Hebrew or Old Testament and two variations of the word in the New Testaments and their meaning or root words do not lend or support his definition of the word. Breen is stuck on his own interpretation of the word and continues to use his definition and explanation. He asserts that “a Covenant entailed two groups (families, households, tribes) actually becoming one.”[viii] The word ‘covenant’ has a variety of uses and meanings but it does not mean becoming one. In most cases it was a treaty preventing war and binding people to a commitment of peace. The covenants between God and man are treaties, contracts or promises, but it does not make us one. That required the death and resurrection of Jesus. Without Jesus we cannot become one.
I am not saying he gets it all wrong but he mixes in his own definitions and theology with the truth he has learned and it slowly begins to morph into a new theology devoid of the truth of the Word of God. Instead the Word becomes his proof text and is used as a backstop and proof text for those who are ignorant of what it actually says.
Mike Breen speaks of those in fellowship with God and says the original purpose was so “They and they alone would be the means by which God would govern the earth.”[ix] This alone is not telling but when he begins to explain what he is referring to it takes on an ominous note.
Breen is right when he says “Adam and Eve and all successive generations of human beings were designed and destined to be God’s representatives…”[x] As representatives of God, I contend, we are still subject to God and in no way equal to God. Yet, in an effort to define how he sees our relationship with God Breen writes, “there is no doubt that human beings were intended to be God’s coregents on earth.”[xi] He uses the naming of animals as man’s first act as a ‘co-regent.’ The word co-regent means simply “a joint regent or ruler.”[xii] This is a long way from being a representative or “Christ’s ambassadors.”[xiii] This is closer to the Mormon teaching of all becoming God’s after death. Here, Breen, has the believer filling in as God’s ‘co-regents’ right here on earth. He does appear to limit this statement when he says, “They would rule, and he would direct… God required that they depend on him for their ethical decisions.”[xiv]
Breen clearly sees the devil as taking our place as ‘co-regents’ and assuming the position of God himself by tricking Adam and Eve into sinning. Breen writes, “In the darkness of his evil heart, the devil conceived a plan to oppose God’s purposes by stealing the position designed for us.”[xv] In his footnote Breen states that “The devil is known as the “god” of this world…”[xvi] The implication is we as God’s co-regents had lost our place as god’s co-regents and Satan stepped in and took charge. This is a long way from the Biblical concept that Satan took control of what belonged to Jesus and Jesus took it back. Paul calls Satan, “the ruler of the kingdom of the air.”[xvii] It is here Jesus proclaims ““I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”[xviii]
I am a slave of Christ, a friend if I progress to that point, but I am not a co-regent. This co-regent status sounds a lot like when Satan tempted the first couple in the garden. Adam and Eve were assigned to tend the garden, not set up thrones and rule over it. When Satan tempted them, one of the things he said would happen was they would “be like God, knowing good and evil.”[xix] Mike Breen sees us becoming like God as “co-regents.” The temptation Satan offered Adam and Eve is one Mike Breen has accepted and is teaching to unsuspecting individuals who follow his teachings.
Understanding the way Mike Breen sees the Church
According to Mike Breen it is important we know “That word oikos, which refers to “household” or “family,” is the description he uses for the church in the New Testament.” He builds his entire 3DM system around this concept of Oikos. Breen continues, “And if we were to dig into the annals of church history, we’d find that almost every time we see a missional movement of God, we also see a missional vehicle being used about the size of an extended family. Coincidence? I’m not sure.”[xx] Yet, this broad statement has no biblical or historical foundation. Breen’s personal background is in the monastic groups within the Church of England. That could be why Breen sees these oikos or mini-churches as groups of 15-20 people with the max of 50 in any group[xxi] as the standard to gauge churches by. He believes that “In the early church, discipleship and mission always centered around and flourished in the oikos.”[xxii] He sees this as the foundation of the gathering of the believers. Ignoring the over 100 times the New Testament refers not to oikos but to ekklesia. This ekklesia is the assembly or as Jesus called it the church he was going to build.
Breen is emphatic when he writes, “We are absolutely convinced that oikos is what the church needs to reclaim if it is going to become the kind of movement the church was in its earliest days.”[xxiii] Breen is looking at the church through his neo-monastic background. The Bible is basically void of information about polity and size of a church. This being left to culture and circumstances. It is what people believe that shapes them more than the size of their fellowship.
Now from scripture it is plain that churches often met in the local homes or households aka oikos. A few examples are, “Rom 16:5 says the church meets in their oikos (homes or households). 1 Cor 16:19, the church meets in their oikos (homes or households). Col 4:15, church meets in an oikos (homes or households). 1 Tim 3:15: “you may know how one ought to behave in the household (oikos) of God, which is the church (ekklesia) of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.” Phm 2: church meets in an oikos.” These oikos or homes were often the only buildings available for meeting of Christian believers. Meeting in an oikos or a house/home and teaching this as the foundational structure intended by Christ for the church is stretching the use of the word outside of its intended meaning.[xxiv]
Breen’s approach to oikos as the foundation of the church is shortsighted and is not supported scripturally. In an excellent article on Ben Sternke’s blog[xxv] titled Both/And: Temple and Oikos a more Biblical and balanced approach is presented. Showing that both were needed. He shows how they work together to balance and strengthen the church. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes [oikos] and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46).
I am convinced it is not as much about structure as it is about content. Every great move of God has had within it three key elements. First, there is the renewed commitment to the Word of God Second, there is a commitment that includes small groups of believers gathering together and finally there is the revival of worship often expressed in a new form or in contemporary music. 3DM misses these terribly. First, their commitment to the Word of God is based upon the flawed and often dishonest interpretation of Mike Breen. He seems to be making it up as he goes along and no one appears to be checking his facts. He does get it right occasionally but much like the old axiom of a million monkeys typing on a million typewriters would eventually be able to write a great novel by accident, this seems to apply more times than not to his theology. Second, he sees his oikos as the only method acceptable to build the church. Yet there is no scriptural foundation for such a statement. Finally, his worship paradigm is based upon a pattern designed around a monastic model better suited to monks in the fourth century than to the modern church.
Throwing out the Baby with the Bath water
The rush for a new structure while abandoning the old seems to be a pattern we in the Church of God, Anderson, IN, are willing to repeat. The Church of God, Anderson, started by rejecting buildings, ordained ministers, formal education for ministers, discarding all creeds and faith statements and basically started over declaring all of the past church history wrong. It took our movement almost 100 years to recover from some of our early mistakes. One thing we did right was cling to the accuracy of the Word of God. Mike Breen and 3DM are putting forward another version of this by saying they have rediscovered the original structure of the church and we need to start over doing it their way and then we will be successful. We have made this mistake on a grand scale once why are some churches willing to repeat it again?
When is a Movement a Movement?
When it first started it was called 3DMissions but changed its name to 3DMovement. I believe this was no small decision and reflects the overall purpose and direction Mike Breen and 3DM are headed. A movement is more than sharing ideas it is an organization that feeds and grows. It has its own ways and requirements. It is a separate from other organizations, groups, or in this case churches. Those in 3Dmovement would dispute this. I must say from the point of view of a member of the Church of God Holiness Reformation MOVEMENT it raises great suspicions when one examines the big picture of 3DM teachings and outreach.
Background of the 3DMovement
It should be noted that 3DM ministries are directly related to TOM (The Order of Mission) and are not a completely separate ministry as will be shown from their own websites. All you have to do to verify this is to visit the TOM website. [xxvi]
They proudly proclaim “3DM is closely connected with The Order Mission. Many of the 3DM Central Team and those in the wider 3DM family are members of TOM.”[xxvii] This statement was posted on The 3DM web page. On his blog, Mike Breen clearly links together, “the movement that is 3DM and The Order of Mission.”[xxviii]
The Order of Mission (TOM) defines its roots “As an apostolic missional Order grounded in the global Anglican Communion. . .”[xxix] Thus 3DM is an extension of the Anglican Communion and the Church of England. Remember it is Breen who said it was “the movement that is 3DM and The Order of Mission.”[xxx]
“The Order of Mission (TOM) is a covenant community of Missional Leaders officially acknowledged by the ‘Advisory Council on the Relations of Bishops & Religious Communities’ as a religious community within the Church of England. We make promises before God to be part of and live according to the values of this community.”[xxxi]
The promises or vows are stated as being directly related to the Church of England. If the People running 3DM have made such vows, why are we allowing them to supervise and train our local church leaders?
These vows include the one listed here.
“In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
I solemnly promise before God
to devote myself
to a life of simplicity, purity
and accountability
within The Order of Mission.
I vow before God and in the presence of the Senior Guardian (Guardians)
and the members of the Order,
to live and work according to its Rule.
I ask for the grace of Almighty God
and the prayers of all those present.
Amen”[xxxii]
The foundational leadership of 3DM is directly related to a religious organization that when examined stands in direct opposition and in conflict with the beliefs held by most protestant congregations. In the end the promises are made to “the Order” and “its rule.”
LIFESHAPES, HUDDLES
Breen writes, “Lifeshapes is a set of practical tools for missionary living grounded in biblical insights that enables Order members to live the TOM way.”[xxxiii] These are one in the same lifeshapes 3DM uses with the local churches in training their leadership. By extension, the local church congregations using lifeshapes are living The Order of Mission way. This statement alone should make any church reconsider before getting involved with this organization.
“In coordination with 3D Movements, we have produced a book on this pattern of life entitled Building a Disciplining Culture.”[xxxiv] The “we” here, is The Order of Mission, which is thickly entwined with the development and implementation of 3DM in various churches and denominations.
It is clear that 3DM and The Order of Mission are tied together and anyone using Lifeshapes is following and practicing the teachings of Mike Breen. Several individuals I have spoken to have said TOM and 3DM were not linked together. Now, who should I believe? Someone saying “trust me, I know they are not linked” or should I believe what The Order of Missions, 3DMovement and the founder, Mike Breen, have proudly published on their website.[xxxv]
“Huddle is the structure by which every temporary and permanent member of The Order of Mission (TOM) engages with ongoing support and accountability.”[xxxvi] These same “huddles” are part of the 3DM practices used in establishing new churches.[xxxvii] Coincidence, I don’t think so. These two organizations are linked at the hip and pouring these teaching into outside churches using the 3DM teachings.
According to Breen, “The Order of Mission is inspired by the monastic movements of previous eras that have so often been the tip of the sword for revival and awakening in the church at large.”[xxxviii] This is a historically inaccurate and self-serving statement.
Mike Breen describes himself as the “Senior Guardian of the Order of Mission.”[xxxix] Vows are made directly to him by members of the Order of Tom.
3DM learning communities are financially invested in or required to pay a monthly fee for weekly coaching. A TEAM of up to 3 people cost $330 per month or $3,960.[xl] “coaching includes each month: face-to-face, peer-to-peer, written, audio, video and online.”[xli] Larger teams cost more and come with the greater financial responsibility. Some churches have reported spending over $30,000 per year on coaching alone.
Some 3DM churches are also known as “Soma Communities” and are seen as part of the “Gospel Community on Mission Collective.” “They live life together as a family on God’s mission, seeing each other often and gathering together in homes at least weekly.”[xlii] This is in keeping with the Order of Missions Monastic background and lifestyle.
FLUID MOVEMENT
North Heights Lutheran Church in Minnesota has had a very public and documented experiences with 3DM. The pastoral leadership took the church into 3DM without full disclosure. In the end the Lay-Leadership withdrew the church from 3DM and gave the pastoral leadership a directive to either break ties with 3DM or resign. The leadership at 3DM responded in a letter to the church which is posted online. In this response they give a telling statement into the fluid nature of their interaction with churches. According to the letter; “Churches come into and leave our process every week.”[xliii] This pyramidal approach will only continue to work as long as the number of new churches exceeds the number of the ones leaving.
I have avoided the negative of people’s personal experiences based on feelings but, there are plenty of them out there. I prefer to look at discernable facts that allow the individual and church leadership to make informed decisions concerning 3DMovement. A simple web search for 3DM, Mike Breen and The Order Of Mission, or any combination of these will allow you to see my opposition
What’s In A Name?
It should be noted what started out as 3DMissions was renamed 3DMovement. This should be both telling and enlightening to those of us in the Church of God or have we forgotten that we are the Church of God Holiness Reformation MOVEMENT! As such we hold to a standard and set of teachings that from the beginning we have believed should change and remake the larger church. This too is the 3DMovements goals. 3DM is not just another program like Rick Warren’s 40 day adventure but 3DMovement is based upon the theology and teachings of Mike Breen and is closely tied to the Church of England and a neo-monastic base structure. To deny this is to ignore the words and writings of Mike Breen himself. As shown earlier in this document he openly boasts this on his websites.
I have not read all Mike Breen has written, and see no need to do so. He has shown again and again in blogs, books, youtube and vemio videos where he stands and what he believes. Again and again as I talk to those involved in the 3DMovement I am told it is about the results and how it all feels. Yet it was the Protestant reformation that reestablished Sola Scriptura or ‘Scripture alone’ as the foundational truth for doctrines and practices of the church. Mike Breen violates this basic truth of scripture as foundational through his adding and creating new meanings for words in the Bible. It is important churches, denominations and movements step away before it is too late and before any more damage is done.
OBSERVATIONS
3DM is billed as just another system developed and to grow the church. That may not be the words used but in the end that is what it comes down to. Saying it is based on Monastic traditions and claiming it is a return to New Testament roots is not new or really valid. Monastic orders did not develop until the fourth century. The first one is recorded “around 318 Saint Pachomius started to organize his many followers in what was to become the first Christian cenobitic or communal monastery.”[xliv] It should be noted that there is no biblical size for churches or organizational structure set forward in the New Testament, no matter what Mike Breen says about oikos.
People should not be required to pay to be disciple of Jesus. I can just see Jesus at the beginning of each month stopping and collecting $110 from each of the disciples so they could be coached for one hour each week. This is very different from voluntarily giving in support of the ministry of the local church.
The expression ‘person of peace’[xlv] is also exclusive and judgmental. It is used as a justification to refrain from fellowship with other believers who may question or not accept the 3DM Lifeshapes and the requirements of Mike Breen. This is in violation of what Paul taught the church at Corinth. In Luke Jesus used ‘person of peace’ in reference to non-believers, 3DM uses it to exclude believers. It is also the basis used by some churches to help transition people out to other churches who do not agree with the 3DM way.
The NEW common language (including lifeshapes) that Mike Breen says the church needs and which he made up appears to separate and isolate believers from the very world they are supposed to be reaching with the message of Jesus. What makes Mike Breen the new guardian of the language that will lead a person to a deeper relationship with Christ?
“I also have a problem with the fact that Breen insists on the necessity of a common language with which to do discipleship, but then instead of using the language that the Bible already gives us, he substitutes his own. I envision communities of people who go on and on about Kairos circles and Up, In, and Out triangles, but are biblically illiterate. How is creating an insider lingo going to expand the Kingdom of God?”[xlvi]
There is a 3DM pyramidal approach to church discipline, growth, and learning. The foundation of this approach is the teachings of Mike Breen and not the Bible. Mike Breen uses the Bible to proof text his teachings, often taking them out of context or stretching beyond any form of sound exegetical or hermeneutical understanding. Much like a money pyramid this will only work as long as the new churches exceed the number leaving 3DM. Those rejecting it appear to be growing and spreading the word as they leave about what 3DM and The Order of Missions is really doing to their churches.
The difference between the objectives of 3DM and The Order of Mission are only cosmetic. They operate with the same staff. They have operated out of the same office. They have the same stated goals. Their websites so overlap, that material for The Order of Mission is used to define and explain the 3DM model. They use the same leaders, books, and language. The biggest difference is that 3DM was designed to serve as the money raising arm for TOM and a way to infiltrate various other denominations with the teachings of Mike Breen.[xlvii]
Vows, like those required by The Order of Mission, are both not Biblical and are dangerous. The commitment should be to Christ and His Church not to the leadership of The Order of Mission.
Apostolic leadership[xlviii] attributed to Mike Breen by Mike Breen should be a red flag to everyone.
The shapes are taught as a “Pattern of life.” When people join The Order of Mission their vows are to “live by” this, supposedly, pattern of life. The actual ‘pattern of life’ is Jesus. These are the same shapes used by local churches using the 3DM process. This is placing the DNA of the Order of Mission into local churches around the world.
Finally the old adage is true, one picture is worth a thousand words. The following page is from the 3DMovement website.[xlix] The circles are added for emphasis.

In case you cannot read it the circles say:
Top circle reads: “3DMOVEMENT”
The second circle reads: “The Movement
3DM is closely connected with the Order of Mission. Many of the 3DM Central Team and those in the wider 3DM family are members of Tom.”
Notice that both 3DM and The Order of Mission are shown on the same page. The video on this page was removed but remains on youtube.[l] Here Breen states clearly that 3DM is how TOM was making money and putting their DNA into churches. You have been warned, if you let this into your church or religious organization then you will have to pay the price for making such a tragic mistake.
In Christ service
Bob Highlands III

© 2015 Bob Highlands III
_______________________________________
[i] This is the religious group I belong to and which I can most clearly show what is happening through the introduction of 3DM.
[ii] Charles W. Naylor and Andrew L. Byers as it appears in the Hymnal of the Church of God, copyright 1971, Warner press, Incorporated Number 453.
[iii] Emphasis added
[iv] Kingdom Three – The Lord’s Promise to Abram Emphasis added
[v] Kingdom Three – The Lord’s Promise to Abram Emphasis added
[vi] Kingdom Chapter one – Introduction
[vii] Kingdom chapter one – Covenant
[viii] Kingdom Three – Very early Adrices
[ix] Kingdom Chapter one
[x] Kingdom chapter one – Kingdom
[xi] Kingdom chapter one – Kingdom emphasis added
[xii] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/co-regent accessed February 4, 2015
[xiii] 2 Corinthians 5.20
[xiv] Kingdom One – The fall
[xv] Kingdom One – the fall emphasis added
[xvi] Kingdom One footnote number 4
[xvii] Ephesians 2.2
[xviii] Luke 10.18
[xix] Genesis 3.5
[xx] https://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/the-secret-sauce-our-churches-are-missing/ Accessed February 4, 2015 Emphasis added
[xxi] https://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/missional-communities-series-post-1/ Accessed February 4, 2015
[xxii] http://weare3dm.com/mikebreen/we-are-3dm/missional-communities-arent-the-point-but-they-help/ Accessed February 4,2015
[xxiii] http://weare3dm.com/mikebreen/we-are-3dm/missional-communities-arent-the-point-but-they-help/ Accessed February 4,2015
[xxiv] http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=3906 Is an excellent article on Oikos versus Ekklesia and the need for both small group and large group gatherings in the church. Yet to say that Oikos is the foundational structure of the church is not supported by scripture unless you take the Mike Breen approach of proof text though cut and paste application. This along with his own meanings for the words makes anything possible.
[xxv] http://bensternke.com/2012/09/bothand-temple-and-oikos/ accessed February 4, 2015
[xxvi] January 1, 2015 post under the title “Memo from the Movement” that “3D Movements now fully operates under the leadership of the 3Dmovements Board.” This does not diminish the foundational tie of 3DM to TOM. It should also be noted that the “NEW” leadership are merely those “disciple” by Mike Breen. See http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=9f19ba1447da252f3eee10444&id=0009913d20&e=b9a1a22ecc accessed March 4, 2015
[xxvii] http://3dmovements.com/about/movement.html accessed August 12, 2014 emphasis added This statement has since been removed following the stepping down or removal of Mike Breen from leadership of TOM. His involvement in 3DM at this time not clear and will most likely be revealed at some later date.
[xxviii] http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/about/ September 16, 2014 The reference to the Order of Mission was removed after he resigned or was removed from its leadership.
[xxix] http://www.missionorder.org/spiritual-convictions/ Accessed August 12, 2014 emphasis added
[xxx] http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/about/ September 16, 2014
[xxxi] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/what_is_tom/ Accessed August 12, 2014 emphasis added
[xxxii] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/the-vows/ Accessed August 12, 2014 Emphasis added. This is the temporary Covenant Vow and is only different from the Permanent Covenant Vow which adds the phrase “as a permanent member.” Emphasis added
[xxxiii] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/rule-of-life/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[xxxiv] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/rule-of-life/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[xxxv] Since the leaving or removal of Mike Breen from TOM leadership at the beginning of 2015 many of these statements have been removed. This does not mean they have change but that now they are not publically being proclaimed.
[xxxvi] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/huddle/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[xxxvii] http://yakima.transformationcommunities.org/gatherings.html Accessed September 10, 2014 This is from the website of the latest PNA church plant using 3DM
[xxxviii] http://3dmovements.com/about/movement.html Accessed August 12, 2014 NOTE that here on the 3DM site The Order of Mission is clearly shown as part of who they are.
[xxxix] As presented in the video on the 3DM website. http://3dmovements.com/about/movement.html Accessed August 12, 2014
[xl] http://launch.3dmovements.com/communities/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[xli] http://launch.3dmovements.com/communities/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[xlii] http://www.somarenton.org/new/ Accessed September 16, 2014
[xliii] http://margarethe.net/ebenezer/3DM_response_NHLC_4.10.14.pdf Accessed August 18, 2014 The letter is telling in its answers and at times lack of answers to the accusations from the leadership of North Heights Lutheran church. Their letter can be found at: http://northheightschristianacademy.org/more-info/3dm
[xliv] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasticism Accessed August 12, 2014
[xlv] Luke 10.6 Jesus was sending his disciples out ahead of him into towns full of people who were not his followers. Persons of peace are seen as the ones to associate with. Those (including born again believer) who do not accept 3DM leadership or 3DM teachings are not allowed into the inner circle and as confirmed to me by a church pastor may be “transitioned out to other churches.”
[xlvi] http://www.schooleyfiles.com/2013/11/mike-breen-and-building-discipling.html Accessed August 12, 2014
[xlvii] Since the leaving of Mike Breen in January of 2015 from TOM the websites have been scrubbed or cleaned of the cross references making documentation more difficult.
[xlviii] http://www.missionorder.org/about/leadership-and-accountability/senior-guardian/ Accessed August 12. 2014
[xlix] http://3dmovements.com/about/movement.html Accessed February 25, 2015 This page was deleted from the 3DM website. This is a perfect example of the materials that have been removed. Though this page has been removed it represents what they don’t want anyone to know.
[l] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISHmABoC6Y Accessed July 14 2015 Key section starts at 41 minutes and 30 seconds.

© 2017 Bob Highlands III
]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:51:00 GMT http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/?3dm-warning-part-02 http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/rss/000000004 <![CDATA[3DM Warning Part 01]]> imblog
3DM Warning Part ONE
(This series was first published in 2015 and has now been viewed thousands of times.)
What every church leader and member should know before their local church gets involved with 3DMovement and The Order of Mission.
3DM warning Part ONE covers an overview of 3DM and the background of its development under the leadership of Mike Breen.
INTRODUCTION-00
Brian Williams the former nightly newscaster for NBC was caught in a series of fabricated stories that cost him his job. It is not remarkable that he was caught, but that it took so long and so many people believed him. I wish to share with you about a set of fabricated teaching and stories that is being put forward today. These are not being put forward on the general public but upon unsuspecting churches and religious organizations.
I received an email inviting me to an event where I would learn how to disciple and grow the local church using 3DM.
I was interested but wanted more information to share with my local Leadership TEAM. As I started my research I quickly discovered that 3DM was not what it was advertised to be. Since then I have spent countless hours and days researching and documenting what I consider obvious dangerous teachings and practices of 3DM and those who follow its pattern. One key example is when I spoke to a pastor of a Church of God[1] congregation using 3DM as the basis for their church structure, growth and yes, doctrines. The pastor of this congregation told me their transition and growth had been hindered by those who did not see things the 3DM way. He told me that the church was expecting to see better results this coming year. The reason? The pastor told me after helping transition the individuals who did not get the 3DM way out of the local church and into other churches in the community he expected to see growth. He is not talking about discipline of someone with a sinful nature, he is talking about getting Christians who are not picking up on 3DM to leave and go to other churches.
I submit the following information, for your consideration and evaluation. I stand firmly committed to the autonomy of each church to make decisions about ministry and that includes 3DM. I also see it as my personal responsibility to share the findings of my research up to now with any other church, pastor or Christian leader who might come in contact with 3DMovement. In the following entries I will lay out some of the information I have gathered. Some of it will be detailed, but that is necessary to show the deception and concerns I have come across in researching 3DM.
I find nothing about 3DM that makes me believe any church should in any way indorse, use resources, partner or be involved with 3DM. I would only ask you consider the following material before establishing ties on any level with 3DM. If you or your church is already involved with 3DM you may want to reconsider and sever ties with the 3DMovement.
BRIEF BACKGROUND-01
St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Sheffield, England, is the birthplace of 3DM. “When Mike Breen joined the church in 1993, significant changes came to the community. He created a program called Lifeshapes as well as small groups where primary discipleship happened. Groups of three to seven small groups formed clusters, and these extended families created a midsize space between the small group and the larger congregation. It is at the cluster level where most growth occurred.”[2] Mike Breen went on to found ‘the Order of Mission’ to teach and live within the Rule of Life as laid out in the Lifeshapes he had created. Later he helped to form 3DM as both a fund raising arm and a way to teach the way of the Order of Mission. (This will documented shortly.) Mike Breen is an Anglican minister who is credited with creating Lifeshapes, 3DM, ‘The Order of Mission’ (TOM) and ‘the Covenant Kingdom Network’ (CKN).
What is The Order of Mission?-02
The Order of Mission[3] was founded by Mike Breen as a “religious community within the Church of England.”[4] They function as a monastic covenant organization that live according to “the Rule of Life.” They see the LIFESHAPES created by Mike Breen as “a set of practical tools for missionary living grounded in biblical insights that enables Order members to live the TOM way.”[5] These Lifeshapes are the foundation of the order. TOM follows the Nicene Creed as a foundational doctrinal statement. Mike Breen served as the Senior Guardian of the Order of Mission until January of 2015.
What is 3DM?-03
3DM or ‘Three Dimension Movement’ was created by Mike Breen as a way to spread The Order of Mission teachings to various denominations and churches. It also served as the “resourcing arm” or “business arm of TOM.”[6] It was through 3DM Mike Breen was able to raise funds for TOM and propagate its teachings to other churches and denominations. Mike Breen spoke to this in a video message where he revealed that “Many, many thousands of people are being touched with the DNA of our [Tom] life through the work of 3DM.”[7] Some of this DNA of the Order of Mission are Lifeshapes, Huddles and the covenant-kingdom teachings of Mike Breen.
Most of those involved in 3DM are unaware of the strong link between 3DM and The Order of Mission. They see 3DM as merely a training platform to help local churches and pastor better disciple their congregations. Yet, Mike Breen made it clear that 3DM was a direct connection between the teachings of 3DM and TOM. He was also clear 3DM was the way he was raising resources for The Order of Mission.
Originally called 3DMission the name was changed in 2014 to 3DMovement. This is a better name and carries with it the true nature and purpose of 3DM. It is the way used to spread the teachings of the Order of Missions and as a ‘movement’ is infiltrating churches and denominations with their doctrines and church polity.[8] This ‘movement’ is now deeply entrenched in many unsuspecting congregations and denominations as it has been sold as building a discipling culture in the local church.[9] One example of this on a national level is when Rev. Jim Lyon the General Director for the General Assembly[10] of the Church of God, Anderson, reported “exploring” 3DM as a “potential partner and resource channels for leadership, congregational, and national church development”[11]
Who is Mike Breen?-04
Mike Breen is an ordained Anglican minister who started the Order of Mission as a neo-monastic organization loosely built on 4th century monastic principles of small groups which he calls oikos after the Greek word for house.[12] He founded the Order of Mission and served as the senior guardian[13] until January 2015.[14] He is the key theologian or writer of materials used by both the Order of Mission and 3DM.
What Are Lifeshapes?-05
Lifeshapes were developed by Mike Breen while working within the Anglican Church in Sheffield England. According to the TOM website, “Lifeshapes is a set of practical tools for missionary living grounded in biblical insights that enables Order members to live the TOM way.[15]” These Lifeshapes were developed and defined as the ‘pattern’ of the Order of Missions and are presented to other churches and denominations through 3DM coaches and books. Breen was clear the purpose of Lifeshapes was, “to live the TOM way.”[16] These are one in the same Lifeshapes 3DM uses with the local churches in training their leadership. By extension, the local congregations using Lifeshapes are living The Order of Mission way. This statement alone should make any church reconsider before getting involved with this organization.
What Are Huddles?-06
Huddles are the gathering together of members of the Order of Mission. The same terminology is use or taught to any church group who are signed up to be 3DM churches. “Huddle is the structure by which every temporary and permanent member of The Order of Mission (TOM) engages with ongoing support and accountability.”[17] These same “huddles” are part of the 3DM practices used in establishing new churches. Coincidence, I don’t think so. These two organizations are linked at the hip as they pour these teaching into the churches using the 3DMovement.
Financial Ties-07
3DM learning communities are financially invested in or required to pay a monthly fee for weekly coaching. This is designed to last three years. Each TEAM of up to 3 people cost $330 per month or $3,960.[18] Churches can easily spend over $30,000.00 in three years on coaching alone. This does not include materials, travel and conferences. “Coaching includes each month: face-to-face, peer-to-peer, written, audio, video and online.”[19] The amount this may entail can be staggering when it is tied to a new church plant using the 3DM church Launch program. Various denominations and groups are using the 3DM Launch or church planting program to lay the DNA of TOM in their new churches. These groups are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch new churches while at the same paying 3DM to set them up on a neo-monastic base or oikos group structure as taught by Mike Breen.
Existing churches are also paying thousands of dollars to have the DNA of their churches and their leadership redefined by 3DM.[20] The stated goal is building a discipling community, while the results is building a community on the teachings of Mike Breen and the DNA of the Order of Mission.
Mike Breen said himself, “3DM is really the business arm of Tom…”[21] I am amazed that so many churches, groups and denominations as well as some Christian colleges have so tightly aligned themselves with 3DM.
Preliminary Conclusions-08
Not everyone who is involved in 3DM is a bad person and not everything they teach in 3DM is wrong. But, there is enough wrong that the results should keep any believer, pastor or church leader who is paying attention to not allow 3DM into their church. The direct link between 3DM and the Order of Mission is indisputable as shown in the words of the founder of both, Mike Breen. The Order of Mission is part of the Church of England and is at the same time a neo-monastic organization masquerading as a discipling and church training program for churches in a multitude of denominations worldwide. The harm done by bad theology created, thru the poor exegetical work of Mike Breen, along with his poor understanding of church history will be multiplied as it is taught through Lifeshapes in Huddles in churches throughout the world will be felt for decades. Even as I prepare these materials some of the web pages holding key information about the group have been erased or changed. After examining documents, books, blogs, watching videos and talking to pastors and leaders involved in 3DM I am completely convinced this is not materials that any church should use. I am hoping by showing these materials in some form of order it will allow the cloud to be lifted and the confusion to be exposed for what it is, a fabricated theology based on the teachings of Mike Breen.
The additional sections of this are devoted to the matter of 3dm, Tom and Mike Breen and contain more details with the hopes that those who have not been convinced with these basic introductory facts will take the time to discover the truth about 3DM, The Order of Mission and the connections to Mike Breen.
In Christ service
Bob Highlands III
© 2015 Bob Highlands III
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[1] Church of God Anderson, IN.
[2] http://www.andyrowell.net/andy_rowell/2015/05/notes-on-3dm-and-the-order-of-mission.html Accessed July 11, 2015
[3] The Order of Mission is also referred to as TOM.
[4] http://www.missionorder.org/#!what-is-tom/c1y08 Accessed July 11, 2015
[5] http://www.missionorder.org/#!rule-of-life/c1d4d Accessed July 11. 2015
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISHmABoC6Y Accessed June 24, 2015 [Mike Breen recording on January 21, 2014 telling how 3dm is associated and the purpose of it being a resource arm for The Order of Mission. Payment discussion starts at the 41minute 30 second point and follows.]
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISHmABoC6Y Accessed June 24, 2015
[8] Polity is in reference to church government or organization. This neo-monastic approach is proof texted from scripture using the Greek word ‘oikos’ which means ‘house.’
[9] In 2013-2015 the Pacific North-West Association of the Church of God located in Washington, Oregon and Idaho will have spent over $500,000.00 on establishing new churches using 3DM materials and polity. Another $20,000.00 was allocated to bring 3DM teachings and polity to at least two existing churches.
[10] Report from the General Director to the 2014 General Assembly 10 ‐ Month Summary – Submitted on 19 June 2014 has been pointed to by local PNA officials as proof that the GA and your office are in support of 3DM.
[11] http://www.jesusisthesubject.org/files/downloads/documents/ga/2014GAPacket-FinalSections4-7.pdf page 56 Accessed March 18, 2015
[12] Oikos will be discussed in a later document on the theology of Mike Breen, the Order of Mission and 3DM.
[13] Senior guardian is a title he make up for himself which did not exist in the Church of England.
[14] Questions surrounding his stepping down and why both the Order of Mission and 3DM removed many references to him by scrubbing their web sites of all but minimal information have gone unanswered. His sudden departure and cutting of ties is part of a pattern throughout his ministry.
[15] http://www.missionorder.org/#!rule-of-life/c1d4d Accessed July 14, 2015 emphases added
[16] http://www.missionorder.org/tom-life/rule-of-life/ Accessed August 12, 2014 (since then Breen’s name has been removed from this page and it is now a generic statement of the Order of Mission on its webpage.
[17] http://www.missionorder.org/#!huddle/cu7h Accessed July 15, 2015
[18] http://launch.3dmovements.com/communities/ Accessed August 12, 2014 According the website a TEAM of up to 5 people with tow Team Leaders cost $7,500 per year, and a TEAM of up to 7 people with 3 Team leaders will cost $10,500 per year.
[19] http://launch.3dmovements.com/communities/ Accessed August 12, 2014
[20] The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God in Washington, Oregon and Idaho board of directors voted to spend $20,000.00 on two scholarships for existing PNA churches to become 3DM learning communities as one of the Executive Director, Lloyd Moritz, “key objectives for 2014/15.” (from PNA Board of Directors meeting May 10th, 2014 http://www.pnacog.org/PNA/documents/board/Minutes-1405.pdf accessed on July 14, 2015) Several other events have been held to get PNA churches interested in using or becoming 3DMovement churches or learning communities.
[21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISHmABoC6Y Accessed June 24, 2015 [Mike Breen recording on January 21, 2014 telling how 3dm is associated and the purpose of it being a resource arm for The Order of Mission. Payment discussion starts at the 41minute 30 second point and follows.]

© 2017 Bob Highlands III
]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:41:00 GMT http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/?3dm-warning-part-01 http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/rss/000000002 <![CDATA[3DM Warning Video]]> imblog
This twelve minute video is designed to serve as a brief overview into the background of the 3DMovement and its direct links to The Order of Missions. Pastor Bob details the two key reasons Mike Breen says he created the 3DMovement. Pastor Bob lays out why churches considering using 3DM materials need to have this information before making a commitment and allowing their leadership to be trained by 3DM/TOM staff members. The documentation and details are explained in the three post that follow this one.
3DM WARNING
-A Word of Caution Concerning 3DM & The Order of Mission-
What every church leader and member should know before their local church gets involved with 3DMovement and The Order of Mission.
        "In my opinion no  congregation, district, church plant or national figure should endorse or be using the 3DM material. Here are my reasons for making such a strong blanket statement."    Bob Highlands III

I have posted these materials here in the hopes they help others with their decisions concerning 3DMovement in their local churches. My core interest are in other areas and I do not want to get stuck on this one issue. With that said, I also have friends and colleagues who have asked me to clarify the issues as I saw them. I would also recommend the following sites for your consideration. The first is THE SCHOOLEY FILES published by Keith Edwin Schooley. His post on November 29, 2013 titled "Mike Breen and Building a Discipling Culture: A Dissent" is one of the riches sources of interaction and information about 3DM. With over 400 comments there is much to be gleaned from this post. A more recent post by Andy Rowell from May 5, 2015 titled "Notes on 3DM and The Order of Mission" gives a different perspective. The final analysis is up to each individual and each church. Writing to the church at Corinth Paul said, "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers,..." These post are my effort to make sure you are informed about the matter surrounding 3DMovement and The Order of Mission.
The additonal 3DM materials are now located here on this blog.
]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:07:00 GMT http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/?3dm-warning-video http://www.bobhighlands.com/blog/rss/000000001