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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Candler School of Theology of Emory University

To incorporate new methods to plan, lead and reflect upon meaningful worship and to adapt worship planning to the gifts and challenges of local churches by working with seminary students and recent graduates across the United States.

Worshiping Communities
Atlanta, georgia
2007

Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church

To study a biblical perspective on worship through a series of workshops for worship leaders and local congregations with small group follow-up and implementation in individual congregations.

Worshiping Communities
Conway, south carolina
2007

Christian Reformed Home Missions

To develop worship resources and support for prisoners in both understanding and participating in worship by forming relationships between six West Michigan congregations (CRC and RCA) and worshiping communities in prisons.

Worshiping Communities
Grand Rapids, michigan
2007

Christians in the Visual Arts

To reflect on the role of visual arts in worship as pairs of pastors and artists and to present the results of this collaborative learning to the broader body of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Worshiping Communities
Wenham, massachusetts
2007

Church of St. Andrew

To create a mission-oriented worship environment that focuses on visual arts and healing within the emergent church by integrating tradition, cultural context, and individual gifts.

Worshiping Communities
Sandy Springs, georgia
2007

CLC Network (Christian Learning Center)

To explore ways to make worship accessible for children and adults with disabilities and to recognize and encourage the participation and leadership of those with special needs and gifts through a partnership with eight to ten congregations.

Worshiping Communities
Grand Rapids, michigan
2007

Cornerstone Prison Church

To encourage deeper participation in the worship of prison congregations by teaching prisoners how to develop drama, lament, prayer, poetry, and music.

Worshiping Communities
Worthing, south dakota
2007

Crescent Hill United Methodist Church

To strengthen prayer, worship, and evangelism through a weekly worship service of healing, monthly times of fellowship, study and discussion, and a workshop for church leaders.

Worshiping Communities
Louisville, kentucky
2007

Delaware – Maryland Synod

To focus on biblical hospitality as a basis for inclusive worship that reflects diverse cultures through the collaboration of six local congregations.

Worshiping Communities
Baltimore, maryland
2007

Detroit Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church

To empower youth to plan and lead worship through study of and exposure to various forms of worship.

Worshiping Communities
Flint, michigan
2007

Diocese of St. Augustine Office of Liturgy

To train parish music coordinators in Roman Catholic liturgical practices and mentors to assist them in the application of these practices.

Worshiping Communities
Jacksonville, florida
2007