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.

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Asbury Theological Seminary (2023)

To promote the inclusion of minority worship leaders in chapel services through inviting diverse guest leaders and emphasizing the theological potential of minoritized worship expressions in seminary courses and in a colloquium.

Worshiping Communities
Wilmore, kentucky
2023

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Carolyn B. Helsel

To encourage appreciation among Christian worshipers for our Jewish neighbors and reduce anti-Semitism by creating videos and written resources aimed at equipping preachers to approach biblical references to Jewish people through a framework of gratitude for our shared religious heritage.

Teacher-Scholar
Austin, texas
2023

Baylor University

Shannan Baker

To pilot a contemporary worship training program focused on discovering the best educational methods for teaching contemporary worship, by engaging in workshops on technology, music, and theology. 

Teacher-Scholar
Waco, texas
2023

Belmont University

Adam Perez

To assess the distribution and reception of popular worship songs and the relationship between the worship music industry and local worship practitioners, in order to equip practitioners with a deeper understanding of the forces that impact their worship song selections. 

Teacher-Scholar
Nashville, tennessee
2023

Celestial Church of Christ (2023)

Emmanuel Parish

To train worship leaders in the theology and practice of intergenerational and innovative worship (including African music and liturgy, dance, and visual arts) through developing opportunities for education, prayer, and collaborative planning of major festival services.

Worshiping Communities
Toronto, ontario
2023

Center for Asian American Theology and Ministry, Fuller Seminary

To support pastoral enrichment for second-generation Korean American pastors through piloting a cohort program that incorporates contextual formation, spiritual direction, pastoral rejuvenation, and funding for liturgical experimentation by cohort members.

Worshiping Communities
Pasadena, california
2023

Central Christian Church (2023)

To become a more hospitable and anti-racist church through training and reflection to deconstruct white-centered worship norms and by expanding the multiplicity of non-Eurocentric ways that we engage in worship.

Worshiping Communities
Indianapolis, indiana
2023

Chasing Justice Together

To equip emerging BIPOC worship artist activists to shape their local ministries to develop a prophetic imagination that celebrates the goodness and beauty of the justice God seeks for our world.

Worshiping Communities
Chicago, illinois
2023

Church for All People

To intentionally engage the views of the full range of our racially and economically diverse congregation about the meaning and purpose of worship and to integrate their ideas, gifts, and perspectives into worship practices that feel authentic and hospitable to all.

Worshiping Communities
Columbus, ohio
2023