The Midwest Presbytery met at Christ Covenant RPC in Lawrence, KS from Wednesday afternoon until Friday. The congregation were gracious hosts who provided well for us.
We began with our Moderator Pastor John McFarland (Lawrence) preaching from Isaiah 54 — exhorting us to enlarge the place of our tent and strengthening our stakes.
After the adoption of the agenda we heard the clerk’s report. Following the closure of Houston, MWP has 21 organized congregations, one mission church (Oklahoma City), and two preaching stations (Little Rock and Dallas).
A communication came to the presbytery through the Sharon RPC session regarding the delegation of elders to the higher courts of the church. The primary concern is consistently maintaining the RPCNA’s two office view — that there is only a difference of function between teaching and ruling elders, and how that impacts delegation to the courts. This paper was referred to a one-year study committee.
We heard reports from our various commissions. Through the AIC we received a question about the continuation of Quinter RPC (Quinter, KS). With the resignation of their pastor there are no long resident elders. A committee of the day took up the question and recommended that Quinter RPC continue, and if no resident elders are elected before our fall meeting, the presbytery would reassess reducing Quinter to a preaching station.
The presbytery’s “Tobacco Study Committee” reported. They suggested RP Testimony 26.7 be changed to: “The use of tobacco is detrimental to health. Therefore it is altogether wise and proper that Christians refrain from its use because of the responsibility to preserve the body which is a temple of God.” This paper will be transmitted to the Synod.
We also heard from the Springs Investigative Committee. Their report was received, and their work continues. We heard reports from our congregations. One highlight was the planned organization of the Oklahoma City congregation. This is scheduled for April 10, 2026. We heard from the Houston Commission and unfortunately the work there was not viable and it was closed in February.
We heard from Pastor Matthew Nuiver from the United Reformed Church (URCNA), a federation with whom we have fraternal relations. We are thankful for the communion we share with faithful brothers, and we prayed for the blessings of Jesus through that branch of the visible church.
The spring meeting usually focuses heavily on student examinations. We brought two men under care. Benjamin Campbell (Lawrence) transferred into the RPCNA from the OPC, and is a ministry assistant to the church in Lawrence. Luis Leal (Laramie, WY) was also brought under care. Mr. Campbell was examined in preaching, personal godliness, and theology and he sustained these.
Matthew Bates (Oklahoma City) was sustained in his preaching, exegesis, church history, and Systematics II exams. He was licensed eligible to receive a call and hopes to serve as a chaplain with the United States Air Force. Tyler Horiuchi (Colorado Springs) was examined in preaching, personal godliness, and Bible. He sustained all these exams. Lucas Donato (Laramie, WY) passed his Pastoral Gifts & Evangelism exam.
Upon the recommendation of Candidates & Credentials, the presbytery adopted an AI policy for the MWP Student Handbook.
On Thursday morning the presbytery turned to an order of the day: the Black Forest Reconciliation Committee. In 2024 Pastor Joseph Friedly (formerly Black Forest RPC) was suspended from the ministry, and in October of that year the presbytery appointed a committee to “oversee repentance and reconciliation.” The committee reported on their work and was dismissed with thanks.
The presbytery set October 2026 as a time to have Mr. Friedly present evidence of repentance and reconciliation in relation to the sins for which he was suspended. At that time the presbytery will decide to lift the suspension, retain it, or seek further discipline. A three man committee was appointed to prepare guidelines for that discussion.
The presbytery also set a time to hear from Mr. Friedly at this meeting. He spoke for thirty minutes, and this was followed by questions and discussions from the floor. Mr. Friedly asked the presbytery to grant him forgiveness and to lift his censure. The Moderator extended forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ insofar as it concerns the presbytery but at this time the presbytery did not lift the censure. Mr. Friedly was also given brotherly counsel from several delegates as we prepare to revisit the matter at the fall meeting.
The court closed with the singing of Psalm 84B.
Rev Kyle Borg
