Not being a 'diapered' Lutheran, I come as someone who joined in my 40's. When I joined your LCMS, you poured grace out of every pew/pulpit and your leaders spoke in an easily understandable language. The past decade, the change has been dramatic. It is almost as if you bludgeon we outsiders with church speak. You may not see the cliques,but they are there. It saddens me but. Until you figure out and face it, you will decline.