Prairie Ridge Reformed Church’s worship committee convened Wednesday evening to consider a proposal — the origin of which no committee member has claimed — to introduce one contemporary worship song per quarter to the morning service. Two hours and nineteen minutes later, the committee had not voted, had not identified the proposed song’s author, and had added six new theological criteria to an evaluation rubric that did not previously exist. Elder Thomas Langley called it “a productive first conversation.” The Dispatch notes this is the third time Elder Langley has described an inconclusive committee meeting in these terms.

The evening’s most consequential contribution came from Brandon Keyes, who attended as a non-voting observer but arrived with a twelve-page document he described as “a brief theological overview of contemporary Christian music’s doctrinal landscape.” The document included a rubric for evaluating lyrical content across five Reformed confessional standards, a chart mapping popular worship artists to their theological traditions, and a section titled “Songs That Sound Reformed But Aren’t: A Cautionary Survey.” Brandon presented for thirty-one minutes. He had prepared for forty-five and was asked to summarize.

The specific song under consideration — submitted anonymously before the meeting — was identified by Brandon Keyes, after eleven minutes of analysis, as displaying what he called “an Arminian anthropology embedded in the bridge.” Three committee members asked him to explain what he meant. Brandon explained for fourteen minutes. One member said she had sung the song at her previous church for six years without experiencing an Arminian anthropology. The minutes reflect that her comment “was noted.”

Elder Langley proposed that the committee establish a theological review process before scheduling any vote. The motion passed unanimously, which Elder Langley described as progress. Elder Hoffstead, serving as committee chair, requested that the review process criteria be drafted, approved by the elders, and ratified at the June business meeting before any song could formally enter consideration. The timeline, Elder Langley later confirmed, means no vote will occur before September at the earliest.

Brandon Keyes offered to draft the review criteria. His offer is under consideration. Elder Hoffstead has not responded to Brandon’s follow-up email. Brandon has sent two.

AT PRESS TIME: The anonymous note proposing the contemporary song had still not been attributed. Three sources told the Dispatch they knew who wrote it. All three named different people.

DEVELOPING: The Dispatch has received unconfirmed reports that Haley Novak’s newly registered venture has completed its first product run. A source described the products as “impressive, actually.” Travis Novak was seen carrying boxes into the fellowship hall. He confirmed only that he was “helping with something.” He seemed pleased.