Music in a corporate worship setting is one of the most important issues facing the church today, and is therefore one of the most emotionally charged issues as well. Music, as with all things, is governed by the dictates of grace in the heart of the believer. However, since all music has a definite aspect of morality, the kind of music one listens to corporately and personally must be governed by the "fence" of God’s moral will. In all things the believer ought to seek that which is “best” for his life, but in the realm of music the consequences of “compromise” are very dangerous. To that end, the music at Legacy always strives unto the best in Biblical decision making.

The "spirit" of the music

The spirit of the music which is listened to in church must first and foremost be glorifying to God alone. If glory is reflected to a person, a philosophy, or a performance, then the music is inappropriate for a worship service. The spirit of Legacy's music always strives to reflect the tenants of Godly living: it is balanced and orderly in all things.

The message of the words

There are two important requirements regarding the words of a song: First, the actual words must be honest and accurate in their definition. Second, the implication of the words within the context of the song must be honest and accurate in their Scriptural intent. At Legacy we sing psalms (the words of Scripture), hymns (songs in honor of God), and spiritual songs (songs that highlight aspects of the Christian life) [Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16].

Humanistic philosophy permeates culture, and particularly music, both secular and religious. Legacy therefore holds high standards regarding the words and messages of godly Christian music:

• Songs should not be “out of balance” regarding the love of God or emphasize “social issues” rather than the character and nature of God.
• Songs should not be ambiguous in their meaning. If the song could just as easily be sung to a “significant other” as it could be to God, we see a problem.
• Songs should not treat God "overly familiar". When a man views God, he should view Him as his Heavenly Father, but never to the exclusion of the reverence that is due to Him as Creator and Potentate.
• Songs should not focus on subjective things such as feelings and emotions. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). For the music to encourage a person to rely upon their feelings is to lead them down a path to destruction.

The message of the music

God has commanded in His word that all things be done "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). This applies as much to music as it does any other form of worship. Appropriate music conforms to the character of God, and is therefore balanced, orderly, decent, and structured. This means that the melody of the music we sing is appropriate and has priority, and that the harmony gives a right mood to the music. The rhythm is subtle in its function, and the music is "complete" (a definite beginning and end). Legacy's music seeks never to distract the listener from the words, and when the music is instrumental in focus, we supply the words on our projector so that the music may fully edify the believer as it is intended to do. Music should refresh one's spirit, never suppress or confuse the spirit. It should invoke a godly response in the heart of the listener and draw the spirit closer to God. This is our goal at Legacy Baptist Church.

By extension, the "message of the performance" is also very important. Not only does Legacy strive to honor God in the type of songs we sing, but also in the manner in which we sing them. In a world that glorifies a sensual tone of voice and an entertainment-focused orientation, Legacy strives to worship God in honor, uprightness, and dignity.