Thoughts from the members of The Dwelling Collective

I love music.

I’ve been performing, playing, and listening to it for about 30 years, and over 20 of those years have been spent in church worship, creative, and production teams. Music has always been a way for me to connect with God, process life, and experience beauty.

I love all types of music. Unlike most people who stick to a few genres, growing up I loved it all. I played in school bands, sang in choirs, and listened to everything from punk rock to hip hop, from Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor to dub-step and more recently synth-wave. If it’s composed and played well, I’ll find something to enjoy. The creativity, emotion, and craftsmanship behind music are what truly matter.

Just over a year ago, I was introduced to a music-based generative AI. At first, it was a fun novelty; primitive, but entertaining. I experimented with blending genres, even creating high-energy Broadway-style numbers about mundane everyday topics. Once the novelty wore off however, I set it aside and soon forgot about it.

Recently, I was reintroduced to newer and more powerful music generative AIs, and I was blown away by the potential this technology has to revolutionize and democratize music creation in a way we have never seen before. It got me thinking about worship, creativity, and how the church has historically wrestled with innovation in music. Even from as early as the 2nd century, Clement of Alexandria wrote, “Only the human voice should praise God,” and even Aquinas in the 13th century suggested, “instruments move the soul to delight rather than to God.” Not to mention how electric guitars were labeled the devil's instruments in the 1960s and 70s.  We have a lot to learn from our church fathers; however, I tend to disagree with their criticism that the instruments themselves are the problem. 

Scripture celebrates diverse musical expression:

 “Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre,
praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe,
praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”
— Psalm 150:3‑6 (NIV) 

Our infinitely creative God delights in creativity expressed in many forms. True worship isn’t defined by the style, instrument, or genre; it’s about a heart surrendered to Him, seeking to glorify God in spirit and truth. I think Clement and Aquinas would agree that it is man's desire and intention in worship that is ultimately more important than which instrument they use. Scripture reminds us to live lives of sacrifice (Romans 12:1), to offer a “broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17), to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:6‑8), and to maintain clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3‑4).

My heart behind using AI as a new instrument isn’t to replace true worship, but to explore a creative tool that can empower the local and global church to worship God in fresh and meaningful ways. I don’t have all the answers, and you may feel differently about AI in worship. I hope that we can engage with it thoughtfully, prayerfully, and creatively, leaving space for God’s Spirit to guide each of us in how we glorify Him.

- Andraè