I listed things what I have in mind when leading praise. Please keep in mind that this is for a small church setting where you don't have much resources. I will keep updating this list since my opinion changes often.

1. Know your congregation, know your band

Remember you are not in Hillsong church and you don't have Hillsong band behind you. Do your congregation know the songs that you selected? Can your band handle the songs? I always think twice when I want to sing a new song on Sundays. When I do sing a new song on Sunday, I make sure my band practices enough to lead the song so that the congregation will be able to follow without feeling insecure.

2. "Guitar is enough"

It is nice to have that drum during worship time. But you have to have the confidence of "Guitar is enough" and give a lot of practice to lead with it.

3. No A Capella please, unless you have a choir in front of you

I have been tempted so many times during praise to sing A Capella and every time I lead people in A Capella, I always regret afterwards; no A Capella unless you have more than 100 people in front of you.

4. The beginning, transitions, and the end

When I do practice with the band, my main effort goes into the beginning, transitions, and the end because the congregation pays the most attention and they are most sensitive to the sound while they are not singing.

5. Do not be afraid of Hymns

Your congregation maybe most comfortable with hymns because they could be most familiar with hymns. Familiar hymns have power in a congregational singing.

6. Timing, Timing, Timing, and Timing

I am talking about timing in a sense that you need to have that obedient ear to hear others, especially their timings. Listen well to that drum beat and bass.

7. Go over the lyrics before singing

This is a least preparation you can do before worship time. I make this mistake a lot. "I sang that song so many times. I even memorized the lyrics" But you have to realize that every praise time on every Sunday is different. Make decisions on how to sing the songs before singing. This will also help you to understand the flow of the song set for that Sunday.

8. The sound men; Remember they are band members too.

If possible, especially if you have a full band, invite the sound man for practice. I would say they are 70% responsible, if not less, for the praise time on Sunday.