We in our area have several small churches (worshipping 8 people) in the suburbs of the Ohio District. Some even have endowments and beautiful buildings. The ODP is trying to put them in a 3 point parish for a candidate from the Seminary. There are nearby larger congregations that would easily take their members. But it's money! The endowments have become "Embalming Fluid" for these congregations. They didn't even greet me coming in. They asked: " Are you Lutheran? " .... The LCMS has been a confessional church but not a caring church. "Doctrine is Life" said Robert Preus. "No. People are Life."