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.
Ruth Elaine Labeth
To study the composition of scripture-based songs in Creole churches in Guadeloupe to help worship leaders and pastors envision culturally contextualized worship.
To train worship leaders in technical skills and the use of technology for the development and implementation of bilingual worship services to promote unity among different generations in the community.
To create embodied, tactile, and participatory worship practices and liturgies to promote communal engagement and create a hospitable and accessible worship environment.
To strengthen the biblical, theological, and practical formation of worship leaders and the entire congregation through a series of workshops and special public worship services.
To embody a connection between Christian liturgy and ethical living by implementing a hospitable, ecumenical, multicultural, and bilingual worship gathering for students, staff, and faculty that emphasizes the well-being of the planet and the healing of broken relationships, especially those with Indigenous peoples.
To expand an existing food truck ministry by offering accessible communal worship opportunities in parks, bus stations, and parking lots where meals are served.
To equip local church leaders to worship by letting “justice roll down” in their lives, by training cohort members to address structural racial disparities, and by developing a theological framework that highlights God’s desire for shalom and the advocacy for the oppressed found in scripture.
To promote participatory intergenerational worship by creating a collaborative worship planning team and by hosting educational events about the theology of worship and the diversity of African American worship styles, including music and dance.
To encourage active participation in the rhythms of worship (gathering, thanksgiving, response, and transformation) through weekly meals, rituals of gratitude, testimonies, and exploration of varied ways to live out faith in daily life.
To explore art and creativity as an act of worship to promote shalom in the community through workshops, retreats, and learning practices of contemplative creativity.
To connect different generations through partnered experiences of varied artistic and worship expressions to promote connection, spiritual health, and joy.
Amy Whisenand
To explore the relationship between singing and reconciliation in the church through hosting workshops for scriptural study, practice sharing, and collaboration.
