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 develop curricular and training materials, courses, workshops, and programs to enhance the musical and theological training of young adults engaged in the leadership of contemporary worship services.
To convene a gathering of pastors and other leaders from three congregations which have similar histories and face similar challenges in renewing their worship while remaining faithful to their heritage.
To plan an event for musicians, ministers, and congregational leaders that will train them in planning and leading worship.
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 develop a 15-week course through Ventura Country Worship Renewal Project on the history and development of Christian worship, plan creative congregational and public worship services, including a worship service practicum, and to facilitate cross-cultural experiences amongst churches.
To establish an Institute for Liturgy to train lay leaders in worship leadership, including a distance learning classroom
To sponsor "Enlarging the Circle" a three-day, cross-disability conference on inclusive worship
To enable Local Program Coordinators from ten targeted geographical areas to participate in a national Leadership Program for Musicians Leadership Development Conference
To begin a program for training worship leaders and musicians on the theological underpinnings of leading worship and music and developing practical skills in worship leadership
To begin and nurture the adult catechumenal process in churches by the combination of a retreat, a worship service, and a one-day training session with follow-up consultations
To sponsor a conference for the Presbyterian Church in America in upstate South Carolina on the theological underpinnings and practical implications of renewal in worship and the arts.
To begin a certification training program for musicians, pastors, and music leaders in Latino churches
