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

On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 91ÁÔÆæ
CICW has awarded Vital 91ÁÔÆæ, 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 develop new patterns and habits of worship through study and workshops to teach about worship that is inclusive of the cultures and generations which reflects the diversity that is growing within the congregation.
To offer workshops on the Psalms, the Church Calendar and the intersection of worship and culture that will equip intergenerational worship planning teams to explore biblical texts and prepare liturgy, music and visuals for worship.
To offer training in music, dance and drama for the congregation so that the Arts can help worshipers better understand and embrace the multicultural and intergenerational diversity that is in the congregation.
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.
To embrace, celebrate and transcend generational and cultural differences through study and practice of reconciliation in congregational worship and in workshops with neighboring congregations that will include learning, worship and sharing in the Lord's Supper.
To engage youth and young adults of 25 congregations in an intergenerational study of prayer, communion and worship planning that will equip worship leaders and develop sustainable habits of intergenerational worship in the congregations.
To offer hands-on intergenerational workshops which combine theological reflection with prayerful creativity to build trust and strengthen ties as they create thoughtful art for worship.
To develop a worship planning group of youth and adults who will host workshops and plan worship using what has been learned.
To develop a focus each month on topics such as the call to worship, doxology, and the practice of listening that will lead the congregation to understand worship as something that acts upon and forms us to be the community that God calls us to be.
To explore diverse traditions, stories and artistic expressions with children, youth and adults who represent multiple cultures, socioeconomic class and denominational traditions and incorporate the learning into worship.
To explore the role and meaning of visual symbols in worship and incorporate them as a catalyst for other types of expression through intergenerational learning experiences that will build a vocabulary of faith.
To engage college students with the congregation in a process of creating intergenerational worship that includes new voices in planning and leading worship.
