1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 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 explore the Psalms with children, youth and families through art, music and memorizing Scripture to shape a posture of hope and give words to express doubts, questions and fears.
To engage the congregation in learning about the important foundational elements of Christian worship with a focus on children who make up a large percentage of the congregation.
To create scripturally-based, experientially rich worship using music, dance, visual art and writing for patients in treatment at an adolescent residential psychiatric facility.
To train adult and youth leaders through a retreat and monthly gatherings to create and lead weekly worship that engages urban youth through word, visual arts and music.
To partner with congregations to develop a process that will support the authentic engagement of young people in congregational life.
To provide training in liturgical practices and music for the multicultural youth choirs of two churches that will encourage youth to take an active role in worship as a way to strengthen their identity within the worshiping community.
To create intergenerational worship services by training youth to lead worship and adults to mentor the youth.
To explore the practice of hospitality in worship through study, workshops and monthly worship events that will invite adults and youth in the community to participate in worship.
To involve congregants in small rural congregations in southern Oregon and northern California in an interdenominational, intergenerational process that explores relationships in worship and focuses on connecting them to daily life.
To begin a certification program that will equip children's choir leaders with the skills necessary for creative and purposeful integration of children in worship.
To create intergenerational worship services using music and the arts by engaging the congregation in a series of workshops and retreats with a focus on unity and music.
To create and train intergenerational worship planning teams of congregational members and ministry leaders in the planning of liturgies, music, mime, dance and visual arts to engage and unite worshipers of all ages with particular attention to social justice.
