Current and Past Grants

Since 2000, Vital Worship grants have been awarded to worshiping communities and teacher-scholars in 45+ states and provinces and in 40+ denominations across the spectrum of Christian traditions, including Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Non-Denominational communities. While worship practices across these traditions vary widely, grant projects typically explore one or more of the ten core convictions  related to worship that emerged out of the first decade of this grantmaking.

Search results 11 - 20 of 1022

Emory University Candler School of Theology, Khalia J. Williams

Atlanta, Georgia | 2022

To explore the theological significance of liturgical dance in Christian worship and to discover and analyze the multiple ways that dance shapes spirituality in worship communities and in individuals.

Emory University Candler School of Theology, Susan Bigelow Reynolds

Atlanta, Georgia | 2022

To study public, lay-led Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) rituals that engage contemporary social injustices in light of the cross, exploring how communities on the margins of church and society use public ritual to practice theological agency.

First Presbyterian Church of Holt

Holt, Michigan | 2022

Project Director: Cheryl Gamber

To invite worshipers into reflection on traditions of liturgical art that facilitates engagement with wonder and the beauty of God, culminating in the collaborative creation of paraments for the worship space.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

St. Louis, Montana | 2022

Project Director: Christina Schempf

To deepen, enrich, and connect the individual and corporate worship life of congregants by drawing on the devotional practices of the saints throughout history in aesthetically rich and cohesive worship experiences that have corresponding practices which engage the senses and foster embodied devotional practices at home.

Hope College, David Keep

Holland, Michigan | 2022

To deepen worshipers' theology and spiritual life by creating an online Advent calendar that features visual art and music, and by holding art interpretation events and panel discussions in which participants engage theological truths—particularly the incarnation—through the arts.

Hope College, Kate Finley

Holland, Michigan | 2022

To explore how public church practices, including sermons, corporate prayer, and other worship practices reflect various understandings and interpretations of mental disorders and to construct a practically applicable online resource that will enable congregations to be more inclusive of those who experience mental disorder and enriched by the unique perspectives they embody.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Marion, Indiana | 2022

Project Director: Zina Teague

To engage the history, stories, and traditions of Gospel music to better equip the Gospel Choir for leadership and to expand the chapel experience for all students.

New Hope Presbyterian Church

Orange, California | 2022

Project Director: Chineta Goodjoin

To cultivate a youth worship culture that deepens their experiences of God, promotes a greater sense of belonging, and strengthens relationships among our youth.

New Hope United Methodist Church

Brunswick, Maryland | 2022

Project Director: Rev. Katie Hamilton

To cultivate an appreciation of the liturgical year and the meaning of specific acts of worship in order to facilitate creative participation and planning, and to welcome people of all ages into all aspects of gathered worship.

Oklahoma Christian University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 2022

Project Director: Alden Bass

To develop a vibrant, meaningful, an.d formative worship program for daily chapel in order to develop a shared communal identity in Christ which is rooted in the University’s acapella Church of Christ heritage and is also hospitable to all worshipers