Me thinks that he who “despaireth” too intensely about the survival of God’s church in a hostile world needs to look to history. Perhaps, smaller in many respects, the church must be purged from time to time, and if it is stronger and leaner, it is actually healthier. In my community, and on the internet, I see healthy churches and bold Christians doing the Lord’s work. Many will not come to Jesus in a given place, but those who do, who are drawn and elect, are the warriors chosen to serve. We cannot expect that saved believers are only found in the Lutheran church. But if a denomination is suffering from very poor membership, it is an opportunity to examine the reasons with brutal honesty. Is a particular church doing the important things, or concerned about window dressing. Is preaching the Gospel the most important activity, along with Bible study, missions, community outreach? In my humble view, the essential things should be addressed, as a good start. Soli Deo Gloria