When we arrive at church, we often have many different things on our mind: the events of the day, work and/or school projects and deadlines, family issues, etc. Sometimes, if we're honest, it can take a considerable amount of time and effort to turn our attention toward God, and away from that which is material and temporal.
This is the primary purpose of a worship leader—helping a congregation turn their attention toward God by leading, or guiding, them into and through worship, and, where applicable/possible, the whole divine service experience.
This can be done in a variety of ways: through a short message, or "call to worship," during the moments of worship; through leading the congregation in song; and through the announcement of congregation hymns and any helpful accompanying details and instructions (hymn numbers, verses to be sung, whether the congregation will sit or stand while singing, etc.). Please note that it's not necessary that a worship leader do all of these things. Some may be more inclined toward providing a short message or call to worship, but less comfortable leading the congregation in song. This is OK! Worship leaders should be engaged as it makes sense in each congregation, given the resources available, and the specific gifts and skillsets of the members.
Note that if a worship leader is providing a message during worship, it should never be preachy or long. 1 minute or less is ideal, with anything over 2 minutes being too long. Often, a simple call or invitation to worship can be sufficient. An example of this might be, "Good morning, congregation. Let's raise our voices in praise and worship of the Lord. Please join in singing verses 1 and 2 of Praise Thou the Lord." The worship leader invites and draws the congregation into worship. His or her message, or call to worship, should never be a “pre-sermon” to the sermon, nor is it the time for jokes or personal stories. In these moments of worship and adoration, nothing should distract us from the goodness and beauty of the Lord.
A worship leader should also value communication and collaboration, especially if he/she is announcing the congregation hymns and inviting the congregation to sing throughout the divine service experience. The worship leader should work closely with the minister and music team to fully understand the selection of songs and the flow of the divine service experience so that they can help ensure seamless transitions between message and music.
Finally, and most importantly, a worship leader must always remember that worship isn't about them. The focus and attention must always—and only—be on God. A worship leader is merely an instrument in the divine service experience that helps focus our thoughts and attention on the only One who is worthy of worship. Only when we turn our attention to our Heavenly Father and express our worship and adoration to Him can we fully prepare for His word and sacrament.
If you have any questions related to worship leading, seek clarification, or would like to discuss how a worship leader could be engaged in your congregation, please email Music_Worship@NAC-USA.org.