In our bid to be 'cool' in our churches, we could become 'cold'. People will mistake our signs of trendiness as signals to steer clear if you can't keep up with the music and branded designer wear. I think community relevance, rather than cultural relevance, is the key.

Rohn many thanks for this. We so need the gifting wisdom experience and perspective of older folks. As an over 40 it is good to see this subject getting an airing.
I have a friend who is over 60 and is still exercising ministry (internationally) part of which is from the platform and as a songwriter but another significant part is the passing on of his experience and encouragement to others like me through a vehicle called 'worship academy' I think this combination is dynamite
I guess its only when the grays start to appear that we truly realise the richness that can be found in those older than us.

Completely agree. A friend of mine, Sammy Horner, wrote a song called 'Only The Hip Shall Be Redeemed'. As usual with Sammy, the song is a great laugh - but it has a message that cuts like a knife. It hits out at the mindset that if you wear the right clothes, speak the right lingo, hang out with the right people, listen to the right music and read the right books, then you become part of God's 'in crowd'. Let's make sure we are all running the race together - whether we wear Nike or unbranded shoes - both literally and metaphorically speaking!

Does cultural relevance really have anything to do with age? One of the most attractive parts of the kingdom is its ability to cross cultural, social, racial and musical lines. However, I continue to see an earthly mindset when it comes to age in music. Strangely enough, This doesn't seem to be much of an issue in main stream music. The top selling acts (still) in the world (i.e. Areosmith, Stones, etc) would have been encouraged to have already passed the torch to the younger generation and seemingly put to pasture. I agree with the statement made by John Meloncamp "I didn't know anything until 40". I do understand the need for music to stay current and youthful, I just don't believe the drive to be current and youthful depends on the amount of gray hair or the loosing of it. Your thoughts?