Brandon Keyes’s newsletter Soli Deo Gloria: Weekly Reflections on Worship, Culture, and the Regulative Principle reached thirty-one subscribers this week following a growth event that the session has since been informed of and has not yet formally addressed. The event was the inclusion of a newsletter signup link in the Prairie Ridge Reformed Church bulletin on Sunday, August 3rd, without prior session approval or notification.

Brandon, reached by the Dispatch on Wednesday, described the bulletin insertion as “a natural extension of community communication” and characterized the resulting subscriber growth as organic. He noted that organic growth, in his view, refers to growth that occurs through community interest rather than paid promotion. The Dispatch notes that the bulletin is a church-produced document distributed to the congregation under session authority, and that its contents are subject to session review. The Dispatch takes no position on whether this constitutes organic growth in the technical sense and reports the characterization without editorial comment.

Elder Hoffstead, when informed of the bulletin insert by Elder Langley, described the approach as “enterprising.” His tone while saying this, confirmed by two witnesses present for the conversation, did not suggest he intended the word as a compliment. Elder Hoffstead has stated that a session policy on bulletin inserts will be discussed at the September meeting. Brandon Keyes was informed of the policy discussion. He thanked Elder Hoffstead for the feedback and noted he would welcome the opportunity to present his newsletter’s theological mission to the session directly if that would be helpful. Elder Hoffstead said that would not be necessary.

Caleb Mercer, reached separately, asked whether the unauthorized bulletin insert constituted an “unauthorized church communication” as defined in Article XI of the 1992 constitution. He has added this question to his constitutional amendment notebook under a new section. Elder Langley, when told about the notebook section, said “God bless that young man” and declined further comment.

Travis Novak, upon hearing Brandon describe himself this week as a content creator during a post-service conversation in the fellowship hall parking lot, said “please don’t.” Brandon thanked Travis for his candor. Brandon has not changed the title. The Dispatch confirms that Brandon Keyes’s social media profile, as of this week, lists his occupation as “teacher, theologian, content creator.” It previously listed “teacher.”

AT PRESS TIME: The second edition of Soli Deo Gloria shipped Tuesday. It is twenty-three paragraphs. Brandon has added a recurring section titled “Editor’s Reflection,” which is the longest section in the newsletter. He has not explained why it is attributed to the editor rather than the author.

DEVELOPING: The renovation subcommittee is scheduled to present its preliminary budget to the full session on Tuesday. Sources describe the budget as “prepared.” Nathan Briggs has submitted an addendum specifically addressing the coffee station line item. The addendum is two pages. Phase 1 begins in thirty-two days.