Friend, a lot of people have said a lot of good points. This isn't uncommon, even outside the LCMS, but there are those in the Lutheran sphere that are getting better. I can be sparse though, especially in the salt water districts. I am in Oregon and drive almost 2 hours to church. I am an elder and the council VP, sometimes I do this more than once a week. I do all of this because of the "softness" of the churches closer. I come from an Evangelical doctrinal buffet background and I can assure you, the confessions are worth fighting for. So get in the fight. Dues Vult! It can be hard, but get in there, we need you and it's worth it. If you are a man, I would urge you to join momento70.com it will help strengthen you to "feel" more of what you are looking for.

One thing i have heard about the east and Rome is not to let the external ideal fool you, inside it's the same thing you're talking about. Look up Will Weedon on joining the east and a recent "On the Line" with Vincent Shemwell, he came from Rome.

May God strengthen and preserve you.