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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United Theological Seminary

To offer workshops and learning opportunities for local congregations who seek to explore insights and practices such as contemplative prayer, meditation, simplicity and silence (re)discovered by the emerging church movement.

Worshiping Communities
Dayton, ohio
2010

Vintage21 Church

To study liturgy past and present that will lead to more deliberate worship planning resulting in a new understanding of God's character, nature and work in a young and growing congregation which meets in two locations.

Worshiping Communities
Raleigh, north carolina
2010

Wakefield United Methodist Church

To engage the congregation in learning about the important foundational elements of Christian worship with a focus on children who make up a large percentage of the congregation.

Worshiping Communities
Raleigh, north carolina
2010

Washington Community Fellowship

To explore diverse traditions, stories and artistic expressions with children, youth and adults who represent multiple cultures, socioeconomic class and denominational traditions and incorporate the learning into worship.

Worshiping Communities
Washington, district of columbia
2010

Westminster Presbyterian Church

To deepen a relationship between two congregations in a cooperative parish through worship, study, fellowship, and liturgical arts focused on gathering as a community around the Lord’s Table.

Worshiping Communities
Lansing, michigan
2010

American Lutheran Church

To explore the role and meaning of visual symbols in worship and incorporate them as a catalyst for other types of expression through intergenerational learning experiences that will build a vocabulary of faith.

Worshiping Communities
Clinton Township, michigan
2009

Arlington Congregational Church

To engage college students with the congregation in a process of creating intergenerational worship that includes new voices in planning and leading worship.

Worshiping Communities
Jacksonville, florida
2009

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

To initiate avenues for teens and young adults to become involved in planning and leading worship for a growing multicultural congregation.

Worshiping Communities
Green Bay, wisconsin
2009

Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church

To engage the congregation in a study of the liturgical seasons and creation of visual arts that will guide worshipers throughout the year.

Worshiping Communities
Grand Rapids, michigan
2009

Brent House

To create worship liturgies that connect classic Christian texts and secular artistic, literary, and philosophical works in collaboration with local congregations and campus ministries.

Worshiping Communities
Chicago, illinois
2009

Bridge Street AME Church

To explore creative uses of media and the arts in order to engage youth and encourage collaboration between youth and adults in planning worship.

Worshiping Communities
Brooklyn, new york
2009