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.

Music
Select Year
Select State/Province

Granville Avenue United Methodist Church

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.

Worshiping Communities
Chicago, illinois
2016

Holy Trinity Church

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.

Worshiping Communities
Chicago, illinois
2016

Not So Churchy

To listen to scripture and compose stories and songs that will promote a more collaborative, trusting, vulnerable and Spirit-filled worshiping environment.

Worshiping Communities
New York, new york
2016

Union Grove United Methodist Church

To unite congregations of free and incarcerated worshippers through music, by composing worship songs that emerge from the experience of incarcerated men and women.

Worshiping Communities
Hillsborough, north carolina
2016

Center for Liturgy and Music at Virginia Theological Seminary

To train leaders in teaching techniques and motivational activities for the enlivening of singing in congregations that will help transform worshipers into effective disciples.

Worshiping Communities
Alexandria, virginia
2015

First Christian Church of Orange

To strengthen corporate worship with theological reflection, innovative and embodied worship elements, creative arts, and the unique gifts of the congregation.

Worshiping Communities
Orange, california
2015

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Rockford

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.

Worshiping Communities
Rockford, michigan
2015