I am a Lutheran and former Seminarian and I have a couple of thoughts as to why the decline- ____#1- fewer children being born- Lutheran families used to be larger than they are now.__#2- the ELCA doesn't stand for anything- even the new rules on sexuality don't really make a statement.__#3- the Bible has become a relative book- meaning that the church (and its members) pick and choose what part of the Bible they wish to follow.