I’ve been noticing that, in a worship team setting, it’s really nice to have someone that for the time being I’m going to call a “secondary leader” on the team. And what this person does is gives the rest of the team cues and reminders during the course of a set that the worship leader can’t do because he or she is singing and looking forward (or has their eyes closed or whatever).

If someone is a little lost as to where the song is going, the secondary leader can look back, see that the team member is unsure and give them a cue by mouthing or saying something like, “repeat” or “chorus” or “bridge”. This person can also help smoothen the ending of a song, or if the song starts to speed up or slow down, by making it more apparent with a motion that he or she makes to let the rest of the team know what’s up.

From my experience, it works best if the person is toward the front of the stage and plays a guitar or some other instrument where they have a bit more freedom to move and turn and whatnot. It’s also easier for the person to make eye contact with the other band members from the front of the stage.

Worship leaders, if you’re like me, you never had to appoint someone to do this, they just stepped up to the plate and it just comes naturally. Although sometimes you may need to ask someone to be your second in command and assist with leading the band. Either way, be thankful for these people. They share some of the weight that being the leader of a band and worship team brings and they really help in making sure the band stays together during the course of a song.

Those of you reading who have been in this role in bands that I have led, thank you. You really do make life a lot easier by not just your musical contribution, but your contributions as a leader too.

d