Minutes of Classis Midwest Spring 2022 Meeting

An Office Bearers’ Conference was held on April 5 at 3:30 P.M. in the sanctuary of the Grand Rapids–Covell Avenue Church. The meeting was opened by Rev. H. Hofman with the singing of Psalter 348:4,5,6. He then read 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 and opened with prayer. The topic was by request and had as the title “What are the duties of the moderator?” It focused on what our Church Order instructs, and some practical instruction was given.

On the evening of April 5, 2022, Rev. J.J. Witvoet of Rock Valley, Iowa, led the prayer service at the calling church of Grand Rapids– Covell Avenue for the Classis meeting to be held the following day. The service was opened with singing Psalter 365:1-4, reading Psalm 90, and with prayer. The text was from Psalm 90:13-17, the theme: Moses’ Prayer for the Return of the Lord’s Favor: 1. His humble contrition, 2. His fervent intercession, and 3. His closing petition.

The Classis meeting convened on Wednesday, April 6, at 8:30 A.M. in the Grand Rapids–Covell Avenue Church. On behalf of the calling church of Grand Rapids–Covell Avenue, Rev. H. Hofman opened the meeting with the singing of Psalter 428:5&10, the reading of John 17:1-10 and with prayer. A warm welcome was extended to all delegates, office bearers, theological students, and friends present. Then Rev. Hofman mentioned a few special memories from within our Classis since our last meeting held in April 2021—many joyful occasions, but also many sad occasions. May the Lord remember each one, also the mourning ones. Rev. Hofman then opened with a few thoughts regarding the High Priestly Prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ and opened the meeting for business. The credentials of the delegates were submitted and accepted. The following officers were to lead the meeting:

President Rev. J.J. Witvoet by rotation

Vice President Rev. H. Hofman by rotation

Clerk Elder L. Teunissen by appointment

Treasurer Elder T. Fluit by majority vote

The minutes of our last meeting held in Corsica, South Dakota, on April 14, 2021, were approved and signed. The final minutes of the Continuing Meeting of October 14, 2020, also were formally approved and signed.

Letters received from the calling church for the next Synod, Grand Rapids–Beckwith, dated February 2, 2022 and March 26, 2022 were discussed. These letters pertained to setting a date for the next Synod which had been set to be January 11&12, 2023. As much as there are many difficulties which stand in the way, Classis Midwest voted in support of the calling church moving forward with their plans.

The Committee for Incoming and Outgoing Ministers met on March 1, 2022, regarding the examination of Rev. H. Hofman pertaining to taking up his labors in the Grand Rapids–Beckwith Congregation. All documents were found in good order, and the necessary copies of documents were given to him.

All Moderatorships remained the same except that Rev. J.J. Witvoet was assigned to be Moderator of Grand Rapids–Beckwith and Rev. H. Hofman to be Moderator of Kalamazoo.

Regarding points submitted, the consistory of the Grand Rapids– Covell Avenue congregation asked advice regarding a discipline case which was discussed in closed session. Advice was given by Classis as to how to proceed. The consistory of Sheboygan inquired into the status of the revisions of certain catechism books which were discussed at this Classis in 2018 and at Synod 2018. Representatives of the Book and Publishing Committee were in our meeting who confirmed that the Catechism booklet by Rev. P. Dyksterhuis was currently in printing, and the booklet by Rev. J. Borstius was currently in the review process.

Rev. H. Hofman and Rev. J.J. Witvoet agreed to develop a schedule for Church Visitation to be conducted before our spring meeting.

Voting took place to select delegates and alternates for the next Synod, planned for January 11&12, 2023.

If a fall Classis meeting is needed it was agreed that the date would be October 12, 2022. However, in the case a candidate for minister would accept a call to one of the churches in our Classis, we agreed to set July 20, 2022, as an earlier alternate date for a fall Classis meeting. The next spring Classis Midwest meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2023. The next calling church is the congregation of Rock Valley, Iowa.

Rev. Witvoet gave a few closing remarks. He thanked all the delegates for a unified and peaceful meeting. He acknowledged the efforts of the calling church, the women who set up coffee and refreshments for both days, the delicious meal that we received, and the Treasurer and the Clerk for their efforts. He also acknowledged all the delegates for their contributions. He acknowledged Rev. Hofman for opening our meeting and for the Office Bearers’ Conference held a day earlier. May the Lord help with all the labors that are placed upon our shoulders. May what we have heard regarding Moses, the High Priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ and, especially, Christ’s announcement on the Cross, “It is finished,” give courage in all our labors. May the Lord add His blessing. He then asked Rev. Hofman to close the meeting.

Rev. Hofman, on behalf of all present, thanked Rev. Witvoet for his leading of the meeting. It is truly remarkable that we may be together in this meeting. The other Classes have not been able to meet, but what would it be, if left to ourselves? May the Lord grant traveling mercies and bless our labors in each of our congregations. May we also receive more laborers into the harvest, for the harvest truly is great. May we be given to storm the throne of grace in this regard, and may the souls of all those under our care weigh heavily upon us. He closed with the singing of Psalter 174:3&4 and with prayer.

All the Lord willing.

—Submitted by Elder Larry Teunissen, Classis Clerk

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