The worship leader has a unique role to play. In my perfect world, you need to be the focal point of a congregation and a band. You need to be comfortable in your own skin in that role. The congregation needs something to look at, so they don’t get lost or bored or confused. You need to channel that energy, being sensitive to the spirit of the room (as well as the Spirit in the room) and provide direction to the band about where things are going next.
The band has to have confidence in you, and you need to have confidence in your band. The more trust, the more opportunity for really remarkable things to happen. I mean things that you never could have scripted in a million years, things you simply cannot recreate from one service to the next (although you can try). Ideally, this person is willing to go there, to let it all hang out, because the band can never get in front of you. You have to be out front.
If you are comfortable in that spotlight, if you have trust in your band, if you can connect with the congregation, if you can let it all hang out, if you can stay open to the Spirit’s leading, you can truly help to bring things together in a unique and special way.
And if you can get out of the way for a few moments during the service – that’s even better.