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.
To deepen the understanding of multicultural worship in a unified church by integrating songs and prayers that reflect the language and culture of the various groups in worship.
To reflect on the intersection of worship and culture and compose multiculturally accessible songs for worship to promote unity among diverse congregants and overcome racial and ethnic barriers.
To listen to scripture and compose stories and songs that will promote a more collaborative, trusting, vulnerable and Spirit-filled worshiping environment.
To unite congregations of free and incarcerated worshippers through music, by composing worship songs that emerge from the experience of incarcerated men and women.
To promote worship that engages the congregation and surrounding community through cultural stories that show how God forms the identity of God’s people.
To train leaders in teaching techniques and motivational activities for the enlivening of singing in congregations that will help transform worshipers into effective disciples.
To empower members of three local congregations to engage in spiritual formation through practicing and sharing artistic works of song, prayer, and Scripture.
To renew a Spanish worshiping community through communal practices of worship connected to art, dance, hospitality, and service.
To strengthen corporate worship with theological reflection, innovative and embodied worship elements, creative arts, and the unique gifts of the congregation.
To engage worshipers in a year of walking with Jesus by multisensory worship through the seasons of the church year and connections with worshipers' daily lives.
To develop intergenerational, indigenous worship by including the congregation in designing worship services for Advent and Holy Week that include music, visual arts and drama.
To build bridges in the local multicultural community through worship, education, outreach and training initiatives that develop stronger bilingual worship leaders.
