1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 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.
To develop excellence in liturgy by training lay worship leaders, including cantors, lectors, adult and children's choirs, by providing days of retreat and reflection, and by educating liturgy and music personnel to use use music software.
To enhance and promote an integrative worship experience in a worshiping community that is bilingual and bicultural, worshiping in both Spanish and English and many diverse styles. Training will be provided for writing and arranging music; liturgies, songs, hymns, and other worship materials will be translated; children's worship will be enhanced and a two-day conference on "integrative worship" will be offered.
To develop comprehensive training in music and liturgical planning for musicians, worship teams and congregations in Hispanic churches.
To provide workshops and education on the role of art in spiritual life and assist students in creating three works of art that will blend visual art and spiritual life on a Christian liberal arts college campus.
To develop the Art n' Soul worship project which provides worshipers with historic visual art that can be used in worship through theology.
To develop regional locations for the Church Pianists' Institute which provides a biblical perspective on worship, and practical instruction in traditional and contemporary styles of worship for keyboard musicians.
To sponsor "Igniting Ministry through Worship," three day long sessions and one two-day session for pastors, musicians and lay leaders to increase skills in preparing and leading vital worship.
To support Worship! Arizona 2002, a grass roots movement of more than 400 worship leaders who gather on a regular basis, including Worship Leaders' Quarterly Breakfasts, worship leadership training seminars and conferences.
To develop a series of worships for worship leaders and children to develop a philosophy of worship for children's worship and age appropriate activities for sue in children's worship ministries
To encourage the use and appreciation of multicultural music and liturgy in the worship services of four Lutheran and Reformed congregations located in a multicultural neighborhood through the development of a congregational/ecumenical model for worship renewal.
To host a Liturgical Arts Festival - a worship in worship ministry for children, youth and adult worship leaders where adults will empower young people in the planning and implementation of meaningful worship experiences, and local churches will find new ways to share in worship ministry.
To educate a parish and other diocesan congregations about worship rituals and the liturgical life of their communities during a cathedral renovation project
