RUM began in the mid-1970s at the University of Southern Mississippi. As the ministry spread to other colleges and universities in Mississippi, a joint committee for campus work was developed among the three Mississippi Presbyteries, Grace, Mississippi Valley and Covenant.

In an open letter, dated January 6, 2011, to ruling and teaching elders in Mississippi Valley Presbytery, TE Roger Collins, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Byram, Miss., and clerk of the Presbytery, speaking only as an individual, expressed his ‘disbelief’ about an open meeting hosted by the Mission to North America (MNA) Committee of Covenant Presbytery.

He wrote, “In short, I was appalled. I am in disbelief. I have thought about little else since the meeting. I cannot conceive of the thought processes that brought men of noble reputation to participate in an open meeting in which ‘unresolved personal grievances’ were aired openly in disregard of Matthew 18.”

Some background that led to this assessment: On January 4, 2011, the MNA Sub-committee on Reformed University Ministries (RUM) of Covenant Presbytery hosted an open forum at Christ Presbyterian Church in Oxford, Miss. The panel discussion was moderated by TE Tim Reed, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Ark., and chairman of the Presbytery committee.

Individuals asked to serve as panel members included three representatives of the Mississippi Joint Committee on Campus Work (MJCCW): TE Robert Schwanebeck, RE Paul Stephenson and TE Phillip Palmertree. Also included were RUM National Coordinator TE Rod Mays, guest TE Wilson Benton, former RUF campus ministers TE Brian Habig, TE Ricky Jones, and current campus minister TE Les Newsom. Each panel member was given three minutes to address questions that had been distributed to them prior to the meeting. The questions were formulated by the subcommittee based on previous interviews and ‘findings’.

One of the reasons for this open forum was to discuss Covenant Presbytery’s involvement in campus ministry and whether it should withdraw from the MJCCW and bring its campus ministry under Reformed University Ministries of the General Assembly. Covenant’s MNA Committee had erected a sub-committee in February 2010 “to study the MJCCW system in depth and consider whether it is the most effective way to oversee RUF-CP within Covenant Presbytery.” The sub-committee “determined the best process to employ to acquire information was through conducting interviews with representatives of those groups associated with RUF.” These interviews were held over two days, March 1-2, 2010.

Covenant’s MNA Committee presented its report dated October 5, 2010 to the fall stated meeting of Presbytery, in which it outlined the process it used to study issues and concerns about campus ministry. A motion was approved to allow the MNA Committee to host a Presbytery wide panel discussion on January 4, 2011 in Oxford, Miss. The motion stated that the make-up of the panel members was to reflect the participants of the March 1-2, 2010 subcommittee meeting at which interviews regarding the work of the MJCCW were conducted.

RUM began in the mid-1970s at the University of Southern Mississippi. As the ministry spread to other colleges and universities in Mississippi, a joint committee for campus work was developed among the three Mississippi Presbyteries, Grace, Mississippi Valley and Covenant.

Covenant Presbytery, at its July 14, 1975 stated meeting, became a member Presbytery of the MJCCW by adopted the following motion:

That a Joint Administration Committee be appointed by Mississippi Valley Presbytery and Covenant Presbytery to oversee the campus ministry at Mississippi State University. The membership of the committee would be the membership of the two Home Mission Sub-committees established to develop the work and the chairman would be the present presiding officer of the Joint Developmental Sub-committee.

In July 1977, Covenant Presbytery adopted “A Policy Manual For the Committee On Campus Work.” The Manual stated:

The Mississippi Committee on Campus Work is an arm of the presbyteries of Covenant, Grace, and Mississippi Valley, which have established this committee to work through their own permanent Mission to the United States Committees, and thereby to carry out operation of their campus ministries within their boundaries in a more effective and efficient manner.

At this same meeting Covenant approved “its intention, in cooperation with Grace and Mississippi Valley Presbyteries, to hire a Coordinator of Campus Ministries, effective January 1, 1978.” And it also expressed “its intention, in cooperation with Grace and Mississippi Valley Presbyteries, to place a campus worker at the University of Mississippi no later than September, 1978, with the understanding that the Coordinator will be responsible to investigate the need and to lay the foundation for such a work.”

In 1982, RUM became a ministry under Mission to North America of the PCA General Assembly. TE Mark Lowrey, who had served as the first coordinator of the MJCCW, was called by MNA to serve as director of campus ministry. Consequently, at its November 9, 1982 stated meeting Covenant Presbytery took note of this call and then approved, along with Grace and Mississippi Valley Presbyteries, Ruling Elder James “Bebo” Elkin of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson as the new coordinator of Mississippi RUM campus work.

Even though MNA had established an office of campus ministry and created the position of director of campus ministry, the MJCCW continued to maintain its own identity; however, it did enter into a cooperative relationship with RUM-GA. The affiliation agreement outlined the working relationship between RUM-GA and MJCCW.

However, from the beginning of this cooperative relationship, several differences continued to exist. One difference has been the funding process; regarding who should be responsible for raising and distributing funds, and how it should be administered. The MJCCW, which had a funding plan in place before RUM came under MNA-GA, believed it should continue its established process.

The second area that has caused some difficulties over the years was that of hiring and supervising coordinators and campus staff. MJCCW points to the enabling and founding actions of the three Mississippi Presbyteries, all of which pre-dated the founding of RUM-GA, to indicate that the MJCCW hires its own coordinator with the approval of the three Presbyteries. RUM-GA believes that RUM is one denominational ministry and hiring and supervising should come under the RUM coordinator.

The issues of funding and governance have been contentious for some time. These same differences were expressed, for example, in a letter of March 3, 1997 from the MJCCW to a General Assembly study committee on campus work. In this letter to the study committee, the MJCCW presented its differences with the underlying philosophy that the study committee appeared to accept. The entire letter can be read here.

The MJCCW letter stated, “This appointed Study Committee has apparently summarily dismissed these overtures and their recommendation for a General Assembly permanent committee for RUM. In its stead, the Study Committee has indicated its intention to recommend to the MNA Committee that a new more centralized structure be imposed on RUM.”

Since the MJCCW believed the study committee had apparently accepted a particular format contrary to what it desired, the MJCCW offered various responses to the proposed recommendation for structural changes to Reformed Universities Ministries.

It stated, for example, “It appears to the Mississippi Joint Committee that the Study Committee has stepped beyond the bounds of its assignment. Neither the General Assembly nor MNA has asked for it to recommend such proposed structural changes.”

It continued, “The Mississippi Joint Committee does not have the authority to assent to such a proposed organizational structural change. The Mississippi Committee answers to the Presbyteries which it represents. Any such changes would have to go before the three Presbyteries for approval. Assembly agencies and subcommittees have no sovereignty whatsoever over Presbyteries.”

And the MJCCW letter also said, “Regarding this proposed change, the basic issue is: Will RUM be ‘Atlanta driven or ‘Presbytery driven’? Will RUM be ‘top down’ or ‘grassroots’? Will RUM Atlanta be seen as a ‘supervisor’ or a ‘facilitator and servant’ of the brethren? This philosophical question really appears to be the crux of the issue for the Mississippi Committee. We have always been very concerned about attempts to circumvent or reduce the authority of Presbyteries.”

In 1997 the General Assembly separated RUM from MNA and it became a self-standing program committee of the PCA General Assembly. However, the issue of funding and governance were still unresolved.

It is with this context that the January 4, 2011 meeting was held, and it appears that the differences that existed years ago continue to affect the nature and structure of how MJCCW oversees campus ministries in conjunction with the three Mississippi Presbyteries. Covenant Presbytery’s MNA Committee will offer its final report along with the results of the open forum and present recommendations to a future stated meeting of the Presbytery.

The issue to be debated will probably be this: Should Covenant Presbytery remain a member of the MJCCW or affiliate its campus work with RUM-GA?

As a result of the nature of the debate and exhausted from its intensity, Bebo Elkin submitted his resignation effective December 31, 2010. Elkin indicated that it was a long year and he sensed it was best to step down after 28 years of service as coordinator of MJCCW. He stated that he was frustrated with the attacks on him and the ministry of MJCCW, which he considers an effective campus ministry. The MJCCW board has asked Elkin to continue for a short period of time to enable it to find a man to replace him as coordinator.

The debate has been engaged, the differences regarding governance are still prominent, and the tensions produced by the various views appear to be high. Covenant Presbytery has a major decision to make that will have a long lasting impact on campus ministries within its boundaries.

The Open Letter from TE Roger Collins

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Fathers and Brothers,

I feel compelled to give to our Mississippi Valley Ruling and Teaching Elders, our candidates and licentiates a report concerning the meeting of the Covenant Presbytery MNA Sub-committee on Reformed University Ministries that met in open forum at Christ Presbyterian Church in Oxford this past Tuesday. I do not write as the stated clerk of MS Valley Presbytery but as an individual presbyter who attended the meeting which began at 10 a.m. and lasted with a break for lunch until 3 p.m. The meeting was carefully moderated by TE Tim Reed with the help of a time keeper and each panel member was given three minutes to address the predetermined questions that the subcommittee had formulated from previous meetings, interviews and ‘findings’. Those had been distributed to panel members ahead of time. Panel members included three representatives of the Mississippi Joint Committee on Campus Work (MJCCW) TE Robert Schwanebeck, RE Paul Stephenson and TE Phillip Palmertree. Other panel members included RUM National Coordinator TE Rod Mays, Special Guest TE Wilson Benton, Former RUF Campus Ministers TE Brian Habig, TE Ricky Jones, and current campus minister TE Les Newsome.

In short, I was appalled. I am in disbelief. I have thought about little else since the meeting. I cannot conceive of the thought processes that brought men of noble reputation to participate in an open meeting in which “unresolved personal grievances” were aired openly in disregard of Matthew 18. What was the Covenant MNA Committee thinking in opening this meeting to the public? What was the RUM National Coordinator thinking when he chose to participate in what was an affront to godly men who have faithfully given birth by way of vision and sacrifice to the very organization he heads? Did Covenant’s MNA Sub-committee expect to learn something new in this public meeting that it had not already discovered in prior private meetings and published as ‘findings’?

Lest you wonder why I would feel so free to circulate my thoughts to you openly, let me note that though invited to attend by Covenant Presbytery, presbyters from Grace and MS Valley Presbyteries were informed that they would not be given the opportunity to ask questions or address the gathering. I had all I could do to sit still. Public accusations were made which impugned the reputations of past and present members of our MJCCW and of members of our presbytery without opportunity of a prepared response or defense. Moreover, other visitors were likely present who were not presbyters at all. I whole heartedly desire to defend the honor and sacrifice that our Coordinator and our Ruling and Teaching Elders who serve on MJCCW have made in the establishment of RUM within Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.

It was not difficult to discern why individual panelists were participating. The panelists were emphatic and transparent beyond belief. Our national RUM Coordinator TE Rod Mays acknowledged his personal frustration that he cannot hire or fire the coordinator who serves our presbyteries as he is able to do everywhere else! Complaints and accusations were presented ‘with love’ (give me a break) against Bebo [Elkin] and the MJCCW. The choice morsels given priority in the time constraints afforded were ridiculous. I kept thinking, “You drove how many hours and took how many vacation days to make this accusation public?” Perhaps it was my estimation alone, but I thought the complaints were frankly petty and sophomorish for TEs. All the accusations and complaints humbled the MJCCW representatives. Several elicited sorrow and repentance when the committee representatives deemed that they had failed men that they respected and loved.

I suppose the public justification for Covenant Presbytery to abandon our MJCCW was the purpose of this meeting. It appeared to be designed to discredit the leadership of our MJCCW and move Covenant, MS Valley and Grace campus ministries away from local leadership and meaningful ‘session like’ oversight of our campus ministers. If our presbyteries are ready to abandon such a grass roots ownership and make that move, so be it. But to do so by discrediting the sacrifice and honor of men who have faithfully served with a public airing of petty and ‘unresolved complaints’ is inexcusable and infuriating!

This is the time to publically give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for His marvelous works through the commitment of men who earned no wages, gained no glory, and endured hours of painstaking labor in order to place trained teaching elders upon as many of our university campuses as possible! Has the MJCCW accomplished all of the objectives that they have personally embraced? I doubt it very much. Have they rendered all the loving, compassionate oversight that was needed by our campus ministers? I doubt it very much. Who has ever been on a presbytery committee who does not lament the shortcomings and failures that serious service entails? But I attest that the MJCCW has done a noble work and is worthy of true honor.

Personally, I have confidence in the campus ministers they select and in the coordinator Bebo Elkin. He has been devoted to assisting them at every turn. Even as several campus ministers complained, they acknowledged that Bebo Elkin took their every phone call and traveled to spend time with them whenever they called upon him. He has ministered to campus minister after campus minister over many fruitful years and many long miles. Bebo has served nobly! Absolutely! Whatever his faults may be – his strengths, devotion and love for Jesus Christ is exemplary and beyond debate! Such men ought to have our highest regard!

I want to affirm my appreciation for the sacrificial labors of our RUF Campus Ministers. They serve Christ with sacrifice and may not earn what others evidently make. Christ calls them, and like the host of godly ministers past and present they learn to depend upon Him and to thrive in the context of need and want. Those are the badges of ministry. We should rejoice in each of our campus ministers even as we take their needs to heart and lift them up before the Lord.

But let me say unequivocally, I am even more grateful for the vision and the labors of the Mississippi Joint Committee on Campus Work and its coordinator Bebo Elkin. I know just a bit of the hours invested, meetings attended, agonies that accompany decision making, leadership in the midst of controversy, and earnestness in fund raising. Now I have witnessed their humility and patience in the face of public scorn. Our present committee deserves the acknowledgment of our gratitude as the Lord has used them to advance an incredible ministry. They are noble men who have stepped forward to do noble work! I am very, very, very grateful for each one of them!

Let me say two more important things. If our GA Coordinator TE Rod Mays intended to persuade me that now is the time for our MJCCW to come under his leadership, he failed. What appeared to be an arbitrary desire of control was set in contrast to the humble leadership of local Ruling and Teaching Elders. Whatever their weaknesses may be, I prefer such grass roots leadership from men who set the gold standard for campus ministry!

The resignation of RE Bebo Elkin as coordinator under such a cloud is tragic and inexcusable! We have suffered a great loss! I am angry that pettiness and power struggles have led to his resignation and robbed us of his accumulated wisdom and leadership. I am astounded by the men who have assisted in pushing for his resignation. How do they come to think so highly of themselves?

I fear that the MJCCW is at the point of exhaustion. Every member needs your encouragement, affirmation, gratitude and prayer. We need their leadership in the pursuit of a coordinator. Join with me to petition our Sovereign Lord on behalf of our Mississippi Joint Committee on Campus Work and RE Bebo Elkin.

Sincerely desiring that Jesus Christ be glorified,

Roger Collins