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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The College Church

To develop skills and opportunities for artistic expression of scripture that will connect to sermons through lectures and educational workshops.

Worshiping Communities
Northampton, massachusetts
2008

The Table: an Emerging Mennonite Church

To explore how an emerging Mennonite Congregation can more deeply incorporate the Lord's Supper in worship and life through retreats, workshops, and mentoring relationships.

Worshiping Communities
Harrisonburg, virginia
2008

Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education

To study and practice ways technology and movement can be integrated in worship while maintaining its historical identity and connecting with postmodern culture.

Worshiping Communities
Richmond, virginia
2008

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

To engage worship planners from five congregations with seminary staff in a year long learning process that will include theological reflection, dialogue and engagement of the arts.

Worshiping Communities
New Brighton, minnesota
2008

Urban Hymnal

To partner with three Seattle congregations in exploring how new, creative, relevant music, text, and art can help people pray more honestly, engage more deeply with one another and address the needs of the community.

Worshiping Communities
Seattle, washington
2008

Asbury Theological Seminary

To produce a multi-dimensional worship curriculum of small group sessions, individual study guides, and training for small group facilitators through a collaboration with the Lexington District of the United Methodist Church.

Worshiping Communities
Wilmore, kentucky
2007

Baptist General Convention of Virginia

To plan intergenerational worship services as small, rural congregations that combine historical and contemporary worship traditions through music, biblical storytelling, liturgical art, and contemplative methods.

Worshiping Communities
Richmond, virginia
2007

Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

To engage the congregation's urban youth through workshops on hip hop, dance, and art that culminate with youth involvement in planning and leading worship.

Worshiping Communities
Cincinnati, ohio
2007

Black Catholic Convocation Implementation Sub-Committee

To empower youth to study and plan liturgies with a particular emphasis on music, art and sacramental celebration in African American congregations.

Worshiping Communities
Chicago, illinois
2007

Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis Lithuanian Catholic Mission

To break prejudices across generations and cultures in a Lithuanian immigrant community through an intentional focus on scripture, the creation of art, and religious instruction.

Worshiping Communities
Lemont, illinois
2007

Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church

To plan liturgies that lead congregants to bring peace, love, joy, justice and hope in the world through a collaboration between leaders and the congregation.

Worshiping Communities
Brooklyn, new york
2007