So what happens when the Spirit “moves” and things go differently than planned? Spontaneity can have different effects on different people. Some people are dreadfully fearful of anything that’s not “on script” and feel uncomfortable in these moments while others feel extremely comfortable with spontaneity, believing that when it happens, it’s the most authentic move of the Spirit.
Occasionally, you are going to make a mistake. Someone is going to miss their cue, misspeak or the band’s just going to go into a ditch. Everybody has their fair share of "worship fails". It’s inevitable but how you handle these moments as a leader is key.
Rehearse your transitions! Transitions become smooth when they are rehearsed first privately and then later, with your entire team. Sometimes it can feel disingenuous to behave as you would during a service packed with people while rehearsing in an empty gymnasium or auditorium. Speaking a call to worship, praying or rehearsing a worship leader moment to a bunch of empty chairs isn’t exactly life-giving. I want to encourage you to push through that awkwardness with everything you got.
“Who has the ball?” is a helpful question and phrase I learned from a worship leading friend of mine a number of years ago. To date, I regularly repeat this phrase in rehearsals and meetings as a way of signaling who’s leading a moment. Although I am far from being athletic or even a sports fan, the analogy is easy to understand. Be it baseball, basketball or soccer, the person in possession of the ball is in control of game play.
Travis Doucette • Worship Blog 