Lead singers make the congregation aware of their presence to the extent they are engaged with the spiritual meaning of the lyrics, the need for the congregation to be spiritually responsive, as well as following the melody. By their eye contact with the congregation they should, in my view, intentionally fulfil Paul’s description of effective corporate worship as “Speaking and admonishing one another in psalms and humans and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3: 16).
One more post to come on this topic