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 offer training in music, dance and drama for the congregation so that the Arts can help worshipers better understand and embrace the multicultural and intergenerational diversity that is in the congregation.
To create a learning community within the congregation that will engage with guest teachers in dialogue and collaboration to learn about worship and create new ideas for worship that will connect with the congregation.
To train student chapel leaders to plan and lead worship that draws more intentionally on the theological and spiritual dimensions of the diverse worship practices represented within the school and local faith communities.
To engage the congregation in a study of the Psalms and Vertical Habits as a framework for worship throughout the liturgical year and to create visual arts and language that will remind the congregation that worship is a dialogue with God that can be carried into their daily lives.
To embrace, celebrate and transcend generational and cultural differences through study and practice of reconciliation in congregational worship and in workshops with neighboring congregations that will include learning, worship and sharing in the Lord's Supper.
To engage youth and young adults of 25 congregations in an intergenerational study of prayer, communion and worship planning that will equip worship leaders and develop sustainable habits of intergenerational worship in the congregations.
To explore the role of culture in Christian worship through a series of workshops on the use and creation of visual art, dance, and drama that engages the congregation in a dialogue about what it means to be both Reformed and African-American.
To create a common language for worship among staff and clients through lament, Psalms and the Vertical Habits at an adolescent residential psychiatric treatment facility that will lead to corporate and personal worship that promotes spiritual healing.
To engage members of the congregation in Worship Renewal Circles that will deepen their understanding of worship, encourage the creation of worship journals and share their learnings with two neighboring congregations.
To encourage personal and public prayer practices in worshipers of all ages by creating a language for prayer through Lectio divina, praying the Psalms, and media that includes Twitter and Facebook.
To engage the congregation in study and reflection of the Lord's Supper and unity that will extend hospitality and shape their life together as they move from being a mono-cultural to multi-cultural congregation.
To offer hands-on intergenerational workshops which combine theological reflection with prayerful creativity to build trust and strengthen ties as they create thoughtful art for worship.
