After college, where I worked up a Bachelors of Music in San Jose, California, I was signing in a group called the Gospel Expressions. The first church I was at was only 60 people and I served as music and youth director. Then I was serving in Gilroy for 4.5 years in full time music ministry. My last year in Gilroy, I performed over 175 concerts and ministry events and felt led to go full time in music on the road. That lasted about 3 months when Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback invited me to join.
Worship starts with the leader.
We don't just lead worship, but we worship. The Bible says that where 2 or more are gathered He will be in our midst and we will experience His presence. Worship does NOT have to sound like a professional praise album to be worship. If I were still in a small church, I would minimize the congregational singing and use midi files for the fast songs, and minimal accompaniment on the slow songs, and offer performance music. Always think of how to get the congregation involved, it does not have to be professional to be honest and sincere, and THAT'S what people are looking for, not to mention that's what God requires.