How to Read Your Worship Leader
A drummers perspective
Where should our eyes be when we are behind the kit? Mine are glued to the worship leader.
Body Language
I can usually tell exactly what the worship leader wants me to do by their body language. For example, if they want to build a certain section, they might start stomping a foot to let me know it's time to build it up or lift the neck of the guitar slightly to tell me to drop out.
Every worship leader has their own signs they discretely give to signal the band. If we're lost in what we're doing and not following the leader, we can cause some trainwrecks. Of course there will always be moments when you just lock eyes with the bass player and you're so deep in that pocket that you have to get a ladder to get out, and that's fine, just don't be in lala land.
What About Prayer Time?
This probably seems like a silly point but I don't close my eyes during prayers while I'm on stage. There have been many times when the worship leader has looked back at me while someone was praying to give me a message or to make a small change. These things usually happen quick so I'm always locked to them and alert to what's going on; I can't do this if my eyes are closed.
If you come prepared and know your material well enough, you can give more attention to what's going on around you and that's always a good thing.