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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.

    Upcoming Event

    Cultural Values in Ministry—October 2025
    Developed in partnership with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Calvin University School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, this online course equips worship planners and leaders of all types of ministries with practical tools for relating well to people from a variety of cultures. Understanding and respecting cultural differences is key to a healthy ministry. 
    October 20 - 31, 2025
    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.

    Learn More

    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

  • 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

    © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship


Search Results

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Worshiping Communities Intergenerational Psalms

14th Street Christian Reformed Church

To engage the congregation in a study of the Psalms and Vertical Habits as a framework for worship throughout the liturgical year and to create visual arts and language that will remind the congregation that worship is a dialogue with God that can be carried into their daily lives.
Profile

John D. Witvliet

John D. Witvliet is senior scholar and program advisor for university missional initiatives at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, with a faculty appointment as professor of theology, worship and the arts.
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Article Music/Song Planning Worship Faith Formation

Musical Resource List for Small Churches

You don’t need a large choir, paid staff, or huge budget to plan music for worship in your small congregation.
Article Christian Year Planning Worship

Planning Ahead: Worship in July and August

Planning summer worship can be seen as a challenge or an opportunity. Here's an index of resources and ideas for planning worship in July and August.
Article Music/Song Cultural Diversity

Expand Your Church’s Bilingual Music Repertoire

Maybe there are people in your church or neighborhood whose first language is different than yours. Singing simple songs in their language is a fantastic way to welcome them in worship.
Kevin J. Adams
Podcast Leadership Pastoral Care Planning Worship

Kevin J. Adams on the Gospel in a Handshake

Kevin Adams explores the beautiful gifts of framing words for worship—the “conversation of worship”—that are lifegiving and engaging.
Profile Staff

Joyce Borger

Joyce Borger is a program manager at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. She curates and develops practical worship planning resources and manages the reformedworship.org website. She has served as editor of several musical collections, including Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2013) and Psalms for All Seasons (Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2011).
Article Pastoral Care En Español

Recursos para iglesias en tiempos de coronavirus

Debido a la reciente pandemia COVID-19, iglesias y comunidades de adoración han sido forzadas a implementar medidas de aislamiento social y nuevas prácticas de adoración. Los siguientes recursos han sido recopilados de diferentes organizaciones, profesionales y artistas, y representan una variedad de respuestas para el ministerio cristiano en este nuevo contexto, con énfasis en el ministerio de adoración.
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Past Event In-person

Nurturing Vital Worship: A Day of Learning and Worshiping Together

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship invites you to Calvin College for a day of exploration and worship designed to encourage and equip all those who plan and lead worship with wisdom from CICW staff and affiliates and gleanings from 32 grant-funded congregational renewal projects, culminating in an inspiring worship service in the Calvin Chapel. This event is free to the public but please register.
Article

Symposium 2016 Presenters

A list of presenters from the 2016 Symposium on Worship
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Grants

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  • Worshiping Communities
  • Current and Past Grants

About

  • Our Mission
  • Diversity and Inclusion
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  • Contact Us

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

On the campus of Calvin University

© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

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