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 a dynamic intergenerational worship resource guide for Brethren in Christ U.S. congregations that promotes meaningful worship practices that reflect BIC values, theology, and mission.
To gather, share, and celebrate personal testimonies and connect them to the gospel story to illustrate in gathered worship the ways participants worship in all of life.
To enhance spiritual connection among all age groups by creating generationally diverse worship teams, educating worship leaders about inclusive worship, and using intergenerational teams to plan worship and develop new liturgical resources.
To engage children in worship and promote intergenerational worship by giving children opportunities to lead elements of worship and by equipping pastors to preach about children in the Bible.
To broaden the congregation’s understanding of worship and strengthen intergenerational participation by using different artistic expressions in public worship services.
To renew the congregants’ worship life and revitalize the church’s worship services, promoting learning, community, and intergenerational participation.
Richelle White
To create a storytelling lab for an intergenerational group of women to create spoken-word and written testimonies about healing and community building that will serve as liturgies in corporate worship and as a curriculum resource.
To equip congregants of all ages to participate in worship leadership by providing theological and practical training as well as resources for personal and family worship.
To develop contemporary and inclusive worship practices that create a richer public worship experience for congregants of all ages and generations.
To prepare emerging pastors with contemporary preaching skills by engaging in a leadership development curriculum that uses retiring pastors as mentors.
To promote appreciation for the diversity of gifts in the congregation and empower worshipers to live out their faith within and beyond the walls of the church by introducing visual arts, liturgical dance, and a choral program within worship services.
To promote active intergenerational participation in worship by developing and promoting a homiletical method that encourages wondering, storytelling, and godly play.
