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  • Resources
  • Grants

    Apply for Grants

    Apply for the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program to support and enhance Christian worship practices. We encourage proposals on universal design, cultural engagement, preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and more. Two grant streams are available.

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    All Grants Awarded

    Explore all grants awarded since the program launched in 2000, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

    Info for Current Recipients

    Explore detailed guidelines and support resources to help you manage your grant effectively.

    Teacher-Scholar Grants

    Apply for the Teacher Scholar Grant to support innovative research and teaching in Christian worship. Proposals from educators and scholars are welcome.

    Worshiping Communities Grants

    Apply for the Worshiping Communities Grant to support and enhance worship practices within your community. Proposals for diverse and innovative worship initiatives are welcome.

    Teacher-Scholar Grants

    Apply for the Teacher Scholar Grant to support innovative research and teaching in Christian worship. Proposals from educators and scholars are welcome.

    Worshiping Communities Grants

    Apply for the Worshiping Communities Grant to support and enhance worship practices within your community. Proposals for diverse and innovative worship initiatives are welcome.

  • Events

    Events

    Join us for our Symposium on Worship and Summer Seminars. Engage in inspiring sessions, workshops, and intensive seminars to deepen your understanding and practice of Christian worship.

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    Calendar of Events

    Consider joining an upcoming event we sponsor or support. An archive is also available for reference.

    Dwelling in the Psalms

    You are invited to join the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in a year of dwelling in the Psalms—the prayerbook and songbook of the Bible.

    Symposium on Worship

    Engage in inspiring worship and workshops to enhance your worship practice. Join thought leaders and practitioners for enriching discussions.

    Upcoming Event

    Psalm 85 © 2003 John August Swanson Trust
    Los salmos nos acompañan en el diario vivir y nos capacitan para enfrentar todo tipo de situación y desafío
    Los salmos siempre han ocupado un lugar especial en la vida cristiana. Como predicadores, esta serie de sermones para todo el año no solo nos permite releer salmos conocidos y apreciados, sino también acercarnos a otros que conocemos poco, pero que tienen mucho para enseñarnos y desafiarnos. Sus lecciones para la vida se examinan en el contexto de quienes habitamos el mundo de habla hispana con sus singulares desafíos. La sabiduría de los salmos nos enriquece durante todo el año litúrgico cristiano.
    July 13, 2026, 7:00 PM
    View Event
  • About

    About

    The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin University advances Christian worship through resources, events, and grants. Since 1997, we have partnered with congregations and organizations to fulfill our mission.

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    Mission

    We promote the study and renewal of Christian worship through partnerships at Calvin University.

    What We Do

    We partner with congregations and organizations, focusing on resources, events, and grants.

    Diversity and Inclusion

    We promote worship practices that celebrate diversity and foster inclusion in all communities.

    Partners

    Discover our generous funding partners who make our programs possible through their support and grants.

    Staff Directory

    Find contact information and profiles for CICW staff across all programs.

    Learn at Calvin

    Calvin University offers many options for learners and students of all ages and contexts.

    Learn about MLC

    Learn about MLC

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    MLC Leadership Staff

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort staff.

    MLC Peer Leaders

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort peer leaders.

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    Contact Us

    Get in touch with us for inquiries, support, or more information about our programs and services.

    Staff Directory

    Find contact information and profiles for CICW staff across all programs.

    Learn at Calvin

    Calvin University offers many options for learners and students of all ages and contexts.

    Learn about MLC

    Learn about MLC

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    MLC Leadership Staff

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort staff.

    MLC Peer Leaders

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort peer leaders.

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    Contact Us

    Get in touch with us for inquiries, support, or more information about our programs and services.


  • Resources

  • Grants
    • All Grants Awarded
    • Info for Current Recipients
    • Teacher-Scholar Grants
    • Worshiping Communities Grants

  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Dwelling in the Psalms
    • Symposium on Worship

  • About
    • Mission
    • What We Do
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Partners
    • Staff Directory
    • Learn at Calvin
    • Learn about MLC
      • Learn about MLC
      • MLC Leadership Staff
      • MLC Peer Leaders
    • Contact Us

  • 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA

    On the campus of Calvin University

    © 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship


Search Results

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Article Technology Teaching Technology

Digital Storytelling: Use multimedia in worship to enhance, not replace

Biblical storytellers Tracy Radosevic and Tim Coombs and liturgical media arts expert Eileen D. Crowley explain how to tell God's stories in a digital age. They show how to add layers of images, sounds, and experiences to enhance worship. A feature story exploring the use of multimedia in worship.
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Audio Music/Song Planning Worship

Neal Plantinga on His “God Go Before You” Blessing

Cornelius “Neal” Plantinga Jr, president emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary, often gives a specific benediction that blesses worshipers.
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Article Planning Worship Intergenerational Technology

Technology in Worship: Beyond PowerPoint

If "worship" means "music," and church youth need contemporary worship, then you had better use PowerPoint, right? Not so fast, advises Quentin Schultze.
Debra Rienstra
Profile

Debra Rienstra

Debra Rienstra is a professor of English at Calvin University and author of several books, including Worship Words (Baker Academic), and Refugia Faith (Fortress Press).
Video

Prayer with the Staff of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

This service features scripture readings, hymns and prayers drawn from historic morning prayer liturgies, without music or other artistic elaboration. Complementing other Symposium services that are more complex, today we practice an intentionally simple form of common prayer, grateful to be united in prayer with people around the world on a day of historic, cultural and political importance here in the United States.
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Article Faith Formation

Connect Community Service and Corporate Worship

The people who pour their hearts into worship aren’t always the same ones who pour themselves into church-based community ministry. But there’s power in following the biblical pattern of connecting outreach and worship.
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Article Theology Faith Formation Interdisciplinary

What is Worship Renewal?

A summary of the meanings and implications of vital worship.
John D. Witvliet
Video Theology

On Three Meanings of the Term Worship

The term “worship” for a dictionary on modern Christian usage would need to have at least three definitions.
"Sitting with Pain" by Ravi Vats (Creative Commons)
Article Faith Formation Planning Worship Prayer

Recovering the “Lost Art of Lament” in Worship

Worship that is faithful to the whole Bible must include lament. A worship renewal grant on making lament a normal part of worship brought together eight churches in metro Birmingham, Alabama. It yielded ideas and practices that can be adapted to any church tradition and context.
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Worshiping Communities Liturgy Music Visual Arts

Grace Baptist Church

To collaboratively create original liturgy, hymnody, and art for worship that facilitates connection with God in all of life. 
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Resources

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Events

  • Calendar
  • Symposium on Worship

Grants

  • Teacher-Scholar Grants
  • Worshiping Communities
  • Current and Past Grants

About

  • Our Mission
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Funding and Partners
  • Staff Directory
  • Contact Us

1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA

On the campus of Calvin University

© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

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