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 collaborate with another church to explore worship for diverse ages, cultures and lifestyles, and foster a rich heritage of intergenerational worship practices.
To develop the congregational practice of storytelling and testimony in the context of an anniversary year, focused around God's blessing through both past forebears in faith and present church members.
To connect two different churches that use the same site by bringing them into worship together on feast and fast days, using music as a bridge to promote wholeness and healing.
To strengthen practices of the sacraments through artistic expressions that will amplify the meaning of the sacraments and strengthen community.
To deepen the understanding of multicultural worship in a unified church by integrating songs and prayers that reflect the language and culture of the various groups in worship.
To reflect on the intersection of worship and culture and compose multiculturally accessible songs for worship to promote unity among diverse congregants and overcome racial and ethnic barriers.
To equip ecumenical cohorts of laypersons through online theological instruction and ecumenical conversations so they can lead small congregations in meaningful worship and mission.
To train members of four churches to tell their stories of faith in order to strengthen each congregation’s local worship practices and deepen a shared identity in an ecumenical, multicultural alliance.
To facilitate culturally-varied worship experiences that will engage students in grades four through eight to make real connections with God in worship.
To promote active participation of all ages in worship through intergenerational activities throughout the liturgical calendar that tell the stories, customs and traditions of African American culture.
To listen to scripture and compose stories and songs that will promote a more collaborative, trusting, vulnerable and Spirit-filled worshiping environment.
To invite people of all ages and backgrounds into a deeper spirit of contemplation, especially througn outdoor worship that emphasizes the beauty and wonder of God's creation.
