1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 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 create an intentional worshiping community of adult disciples seasoned in liturgical leadership to gather in worship and cross-pollinate their unique worship practices, culminating in leadership at the Disciples Worship and Arts Institute that welcomes participants from across the Christian church.
To reduce the hearing and visual barriers that limit some members from full participation in the worship service by practicing liturgical dance and scripture enactment that include assistive listening and captioning.
To develop an inclusive worship environment by modifying worship practices and creating resources that will encourage the participation of persons living with dementia and help equip their caregivers.
Erin Raffety
To equip worshiping communities to recognize and lift up leaders with disabilities in church contexts by working with Christian leaders to model inclusive leadership practices.
To support the worship of people with dementia and varied disabilities by collaborating with neighboring churches to host workshops that encourage and develop accessible, sensory-friendly worship practices.
To help participants deepen their experience of God by developing inclusive and artistic worship practices that blend traditional and contemporary elements of worship and cultivate spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and reflective of diverse spiritual needs.
To develop more inclusive worship practices by first learning about the needs and desires ofthose often excluded from worship and the obstacles they often face, and to then initiate new worship practices.
To encourage greater accessibility and inclusivity in worship through providing support, education, and resources for families and church leaders affected by disability.
To increase disability awareness and belonging in partner churches by providing resources and strategies for promoting the welcome and inclusion of Christians of all abilities in worshiping communities.
To engage in liturgies and educational roundtables that facilitate inclusive attitudes and practices that welcome those who have been historically marginalized.
Amanda Howard
To identify challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) during worship services, to investigate strategies for self-regulation, and to evaluate support programs offered by worshiping communities, in order to create a resource guide for worshiping communities to better include people with SPS during religious services.
To create an expression of worship that increases authenticity, reduces barriers, and provides diverse forms of music and speech by engaging in interviews, focus groups, and team studies that expand theological and aesthetic understanding of worship.
