In the fourteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says: “If lifeless things which make sounds, such as pipes or harps, do not produce distinct sounds, how would anyone know what music is being played? If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for war? Likewise, unless you speak words which are easy to understand, how will people know what you are saying? You would be talking into space.”
Paul specifically encourages people not to speak in tongues in church unless someone interprets the message, so that the listeners will understand clearly what is being said. Most contemporary Western churches do not have big problems with too many people speaking in tongues, but many of them do have problems because of a failure to communicate the gospel message clearly, instead producing uncertain, indistinct sounds.
In order to help people understand how the gospel message relates to their everyday lives, it is helpful to refer to elements of contemporary culture. However, in many churches the gospel message gets squeezed out as a result of the desire to be seen as relevant or to avoid offending anyone, or because the church becomes ritualised so that ceremonies are performed but the meaning is lost.