1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
CICW has awarded Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for over 20 years to teacher-scholars and worshiping communities in 45+ states and provinces and across 40+ denominations and traditions—including Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, non-denominational, and other Protestant communities.
While worship styles and practices vary greatly across these traditions, the grant projects typically explore at least one of CICW’s ten core convictions related to worship. Explore the hundreds of projects we’ve funded across both streams of the program.
To strengthen public worship and witness by building capacity in the music ministry, instituting a public worship event, and creating an outdoor mural.
To enhance spiritual connection among all age groups by creating generationally diverse worship teams, educating worship leaders about inclusive worship, and using intergenerational teams to plan worship and develop new liturgical resources.
To engage children in worship and promote intergenerational worship by giving children opportunities to lead elements of worship and by equipping pastors to preach about children in the Bible.
To develop a cohort of artists that will affect the worshiping communities the artists belong to by exploring the sacred through creating visual art for worship together in online gatherings and an in-person retreat.
To enhance the theological and cultural diversity of worship in an increasingly diverse retirement community through educational events and guest worship leaders.
To invite worshipers into the depth and richness of God’s promises by weaving liturgy with the arts through collaborations with local artists for Advent, Lenten, Holy Week, and Pentecost services and through the development and dissemination of artistically inspired service plans.
To deepen community ties and invite other churches into collaboration by hosting art and worship events featuring music, performing arts, and visual arts with activities accessible for all ages.
To train children and youth in understanding of worship and in worship skills, including media technology and leading music, to equip them to lead worship at Lighthouse Full Life Center.
To equip congregants of all ages to participate in worship leadership by providing theological and practical training as well as resources for personal and family worship.
To promote cross-cultural healing, prayer, and community unity among and beyond three participating churches by teaching the practice and history of drum circles as worship.
To create opportunities for students to find community and a space to explore their faith through dinner church, pilgrimage, and retreats that empower student leaders to craft liturgy that speaks to their lived experience in a culture with a broken relationship with creation.
To nurture the church’s preaching team, including active and potential preachers, through workshops, conferences, and team practices that nurture the preaching life.
