Remembering Rev. Leonard John Hofman, General Secretary Emeritus

Leonard Hofman has been described as a thoughtful, caring, encouraging, and approachable pastor and a respected pastoral administrator, with a gift for orderly governance, who always demonstrated a deep love for the church. He was also known for his quick wit and sharp dress. Hofman, 97, died April 11.

After he graduated from Calvin College (now University) and Seminary and was ordained in 1951, Hofman pastored Wright Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha, Iowa, and Kenosha (Wisc.) CRC before moving on to serve congregations in West Michigan for the next 23 years. He pastored for six years at North Street CRC, Zeeland; 12 at Ridgewood CRC, Jenison, where he was the founding pastor; and five at Bethany CRC, Holland. After he left parish ministry and during his retirement, Hofman was a member at Shawnee Park CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich., for over 42 years.

After 31 years in the pastorate, Hofman became the stated clerk of the CRCNA from 1982 to 1990 and its general secretary from 1990 to 1994. During those years, he earned the respect of many church leaders. A Banner article written by Phyllis Ten Elshof in 1994, the year Hofman retired, quotes the general secretary of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church at that time who said he appreciated Hofman’s genuine piety of heart, his skill as an administrator, and his gifts as a church statesman. “As I look about the church world,” he said, “I don’t see many men of his caliber. His heart throbs for the church.” In that same article, Ed Golder, religion editor of the Grand Rapids Press, called Hofman “the consummate churchman.” Golder said, “Len believes wholeheartedly in the work of the Christian Reformed Church. He has devoted his whole life to it. And he has served the church with dignity.”

In retirement, Hofman took on other tasks such as helping to lead the National Association of Evangelicals, an association of almost 50 member denominations. He also served as the CRCNA’s secretary for the Interchurch Relations Committee for many years.

He received the Outstanding Service Award from the Calvin College Alumni Association in 1978 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin Theological Seminary in 2007.

In an interview in 2021 with Chris Meehan of CRC Communications, during which Hofman was asked for an overall assessment of his work in ministry, Hofman replied, “If I could do it all over again, I’d do it all over again because that is what the Lord called me to do.”

Hofman enjoyed playing golf, wood working, and traveling with his wife, Elaine. In his later years he enjoyed spending time with friends and playing Scrabble. And he always loved seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Predeceased in 2005 by Elaine, his wife of 56 years, Hofman is survived by four children and their spouses; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.