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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Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

To form an intergenerational liturgical dance program that connects movement to scripture while strengthening an appreciation for the African church and its expressions in worship.

Worshiping Communities
Omaha, nebraska
2008

Ashland First United Methodist Church

To involve congregants in small rural congregations in southern Oregon and northern California in an interdenominational, intergenerational process that explores relationships in worship and focuses on connecting them to daily life.

Worshiping Communities
Ashland, oregon
2008

Being Whole Community at Stony Point Center

To train worship leaders in opening worship to the leadership gifts of persons with disabilities through a conference and a year long process of learning with several congregations.

Worshiping Communities
Stony Point, new york
2008

Bethany Church

To form multigenerational, multicultural teams in which participants can explore how their gifts can be used in worship through music and the arts.

Worshiping Communities
Muskegon, michigan
2008

Bethel Christian Reformed Church

To explore the role of visual arts in making the Lord's Supper and Baptism more meaningful by giving attention to the church year in corporate worship and small group discussions.

Worshiping Communities
Fulton, illinois
2008

Calvary Third United Presbyterian Church

To study and respond to the Psalms through prayer and jazz music in both corporate worship and small groups during the entire year.

Worshiping Communities
Fort Wayne, indiana
2008

Cathedral Church of St Paul/The Crossing

To offer a series of retreats, consultations, and worship services aimed at bringing together worship leaders and musicians for collaboration and reflection in an urban, multicultural, emerging worship community.

Worshiping Communities
Boston, massachusetts
2008

Celestial Church of Christ Emmanuel Parish

To train youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds to lead worship and to strengthen unity in the congregation by encouraging and studying intergenerational worship.

Worshiping Communities
Toronto, ontario
2008

Choristers Guild (2008)

To begin a certification program that will equip children's choir leaders with the skills necessary for creative and purposeful integration of children in worship.

Worshiping Communities
Garland, texas
2008

Christ Community Church

To engage the congregation in a process that explores the connections between theology, liturgy and life through a conference and ongoing class which will study aesthetic liturgical reasoning to better understand decisions about music, outreach, and space.

Worshiping Communities
Des Moines, iowa
2008

Christians in Theatre Arts (2008)

To encourage five congregations to integrate theatre arts into worship with both artistic excellence and biblical integrity through a conference on theater in worship and a year long mentoring program for worship leaders.

Worshiping Communities
Greenville, south carolina
2008