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.
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
To conduct an ecumenical workshop in liturgical dance to train leaders in the use of liturgical dance in worship, and to hold a liturgical dance concert
The Common Ministry at Washington State University (2001)
To train and equip student leaders to offer meaningful and theologically rich worship experiences for college students
Turning Pointe School of Dance
To plan a two-day Sacred Dance Conference too teach the principles and guidelines for using dance in worship
Urbandale United Church of Christ
To provide opportunities in the research, writing and dramatic presentation of lectionary texts through Project AWE. Arts in Worship Experiece
Wedgwood Christian Youth and Family Services
To provide a comprehensive review of worship programming for youth so that they encounter God in worship, and to train youth and staff in a deeper understanding of worship
Ada and Kelloggsville Christian School
To create a program for teaching students and teachers the elements of worship, and modeling those elements in informal and formal worship services
All Nations Christian Reformed Church (2000)
To develop and publish a worship resource manual for intergenerational worship services that more fully integrate youth into the worship life of congregations
Christians in Theater Arts (2000)
To research theological, liturgical and philosophical rationale for thoughtful integration of the dramatic arts in worship in North American congregations, and to present this at a series of national conferences on both drama and worship
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (2000)
To sponsor a Liturgy Summer Camp for adults and young adults to provide basic liturgical understanding to lay leaders in congregations in Michigan and Ohio
First Congregational Church
To develop a collaborative youth worship leadership training program for junior high, high school and college students in four congregations
Glade Baptist Church
To create a fine arts gallery in their sanctuary, in conjunction with contemplative worship services
Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Life
To sponsor a week-long Liturgical Institute for clergy, religious and lay leaders of South Florida with a focus on the sacraments and popular devotions in developing multi-cultural congregations