National Lutheran Council. Inter-Lutheran Consultation. 450th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation General Committee.

(For history of the Lutheran Council in the USA (LCUSA), see OCLC #38922091.) In 1963, an Inter-Lutheran Consultation was formed to discuss the formation of a new agency in which the four Consultation members--the Lutheran Church in America, The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches-- could participate. In 1964-1965, the Consultation began planning for the observance of the 450th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, not only as a celebration of the Reformation anniversary but also as a celebration of the beginning of new Lutheran cooperation in the founding of the Lutheran Council in the USA (1967-1987), the successor body of the National Lutheran Council.

The Observance, held in 1967, included the publication of a bibliography on Reformation literature and study documents for inter-Lutheran conferences for pastors and seminaries; evangelism festivals held by Lutheran congregations to invite the unchurched to join their fellowships; civic and cultural events relating to the anniversary; exhibits of religious art, concerts, and special radio and television programs; and a series of Roman Catholic Dialogues held in fourteen major American cities. Overall direction of the Oberservance was provided by members of a General Committee which was appointed by the Consultation.