How AI Is Changing The Way I Lead Worship

And it just might be the perfect volunteer on the team

I saw a viral clip of John Piper that has me pondering the use of AI in worship, and how long it will be until Tesla robots are shredding electric guitars at your local mega church. Piper had ChatGPT write a prayer in the spirit and theology of Don Carson:

“Gracious Father, we bow before you, the sovereign Lord of history and redemption. From eternity’s past, you purposed to lavish grace upon undeserving sinners through the blood of your beloved Son. We praise you for the glory of your mercy—unearned, unmeasured, made manifest in Christ crucified and risen. May our lives, redeemed and sanctified by your Spirit, be vessels of praise to the riches of your grace. To you be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I mean… c'mon… as Cal Naughton Jr. in Talladega Nights would say:

“That was a hell of a grace.”

But as Piper stood in awe of the brilliant words of the machine,

he raised the question:

“Is that praise?”

“NOOO!!!”

He continued:

“Computers do words better than you—seriously, better than me… But they don’t feel anything. Therefore, the universe is created to have people who feel. This is amazing. Think of it: the universe exists to have people in God’s image who feel the worth of grace, who feel the glory of grace, who feel the beauty of grace, who feel the wonder of grace—

His main point?

If the goal is just good words,

the computers win every time.

fit check interlude:

Aiming For Excellence

Okay… I don't actually think robots will be leading worship,

but they kinda already do…

Since I was an 11-year-old playing bass on Sunday mornings at my church, the goal has always been to try to sound like the recording—or as close to it as possible.

That has been our aim.

But then multi-tracks entered the scene, and you could just hit play on the iPad and the exact keys part from the recording—or the exact drum part—would play along with the band on Sunday morning.

If your keys player got sick—no worries. Put the keys in the tracks.

Couldn't get a bass player to confirm on planning center? Just put bass in the tracks!

No volunteer,

No problem!

And if we’re honest… the tracks probably sound better anyways.

You’ve Been Replaced…

If the goal is to sound as professional as possible on Sunday morning,

why even use volunteers at all?

Tracks:

• never miss chords

• never show up late to rehearsal

• never get sick the day before church

Try asking ChatGPT to write a worship song.

Give it a scripture to reference, and boom—

it most likely will be better than anything you could’ve written.

Not even to mention AI music production software that is pretty good already,

and is only going to get better.

So…

What’s the point of trying to write songs for your church?

What’s the point of asking volunteers to serve on the worship team?

What’s the point in even trying to pray if like Piper said…..

The machines do it better than you.

Here’s My Take

I wonder if Jesus were to come and inspect the temple today, if he might say:

“They honor me with their technical preparation and their big, full, polished sound—but their hearts are far from me.”

The advancement of this kind of technology makes a purely intellectual/practical approach to these issues nearly obsolete, but causes an emphasis on the very thing God places emphasis on.

Our Hearts

In a world where technology is surpassing human technical ability,

how about we lean into our strengths?

because here’s the up side—

Tracks don’t have:

• eyes to see what God is doing in the room

• the Holy Spirit living in them and working through them

• and most importantly A heart to offer up genuine worship

If you are a volunteer on your worship team, the most unique and significant thing you have to offer is not just your musical ability—it’s your heart. It’s the ability not just to play your instrument but to WORSHIP though your playing.

So Worship!

As you prepare for this Sunday—yeah, learn the songs, practice your instrument, get familiar with the material—but don’t forget to prepare your heart.
Don’t forget to pray for your people.

Because after all, those kinds of things seems to be God’s highest concern,
not our professional sound.

Let’s give God the kind of praise that AI can’t.
The kind of praise that ministers to His heart.
Because only priests can do that.
And thankfully,
we are all priests.

-William Crockett