I am an elder in the Lord's house of Redeemer Lutheran Church and School. I find your message to be frightening, hopeful, lonely but with compassion. Thus, all these together makes what I read real! I have been with Redeemer for 30+ years, seen the pastor of 40+ years retire, replacement pastor pass into the Lord's arms from a heart attack. Our congregation has dropped from 140 or more for two services to 60-80 with one service. Had an interim pastor who divided us more with the word of the sword, instead of the work of God. Thankful to have an interim pastor now who is addressing exactly what you stated, the slow death of a Church and it's congregation. We are studying the Autopsy of a Deceased Church and working to understand why and how we are dying. We have a school which is non-denominational, about 238 students. Only four of which attend Redeemer. The Church use to be the dominant factor of the two, now the roles are reversed. Demographics, Church vision, older congregation with limited youth growth, all the things you mention, are exactly what we are seeing happening here. I pray we will find our vision again and engage with the community to stay and grow. Say a prayer for God's house of Redeemer. Thank you for your message. Roger