The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) is excited to announce financial support for 34 dynamic projects designed to elevate worship and preaching across Christian communities in the U.S. and Canada.
This initiative, part of the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program, aims to inspire creativity and innovation within various worship contexts.
Grant Details and Themes
In this recent funding cycle, the CICW has approved grants of up to $25,000, emphasizing inclusivity by inviting applications from a wide array of organizations and teacher-scholars.
These projects span multiple Christian denominations and draw on the expertise of eight academic scholar-teachers in diverse fields.
Additionally, 26 worship communities are poised to embark on new worship explorations.
For those interested in securing a grant, the next proposal deadline is April 25, 2025.
Selected projects are expected to kick off on July 15, 2025.
This funding round highlights several key themes, including the promotion of peace and trauma healing, the enhancement of multicultural worship, the push for greater inclusivity, encouragement of intergenerational participation, and the integration of the arts in worship practices.
Targeted Grants for Teacher-Scholars
Understanding the critical role of educators in shaping worship, the grant program has established a specific category for teacher-scholars.
Eight selected recipients from academic institutions will pursue projects that delve into topics such as:
- The impact of public prayer on community social responsibility
- The transformation of biblical texts when adapted into musical forms
- Experiences of attendees within multicultural congregations
- The influence of preaching on the beliefs, emotions, and behaviors of congregants.
Empowering Worshiping Communities
Worshiping communities—including churches, seminaries, retreat centers, and other nonprofit organizations—are also beneficiaries of this grant initiative.
Funded projects will explore various significant themes, including:
- Supporting intergenerational immigrant communities in their discipleship journey
- Engaging in discussions about historical racial disparities through art-led dialogues on campus
- Providing safe spaces for marginalized women to reflect biblically, share their experiences, and create prayers
- Improving worship accessibility for families navigating disability or trauma
- Collaborating to produce short films that address contemporary societal issues for worship use
- Introducing nature-based outdoor scripture engagement in alternative worship settings
- Launching a gospel jazz service to promote inclusivity among diverse participants
- Expanding intergenerational and multicultural worship through various artistic expressions
- Revitalizing African American worship by highlighting the healing power of prayer
- Incorporating storytelling as a vital tool for deepening faith within worshiping communities.
These initiatives aim to enhance the practices of worship, preaching, and faith development for all involved.
John Witvliet, the CICW director, expressed his admiration for the dedication displayed by pastoral leaders and scholars working tirelessly to rejuvenate congregational life and deepen Christian engagement in their communities.
He is eager to see the valuable insights these grantees will unveil.
About the Grants Program
Since its inception in 2000, the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program has distributed over a thousand grants to both worship communities and scholars throughout the United States and Canada.
The program champions innovative projects that seek to revitalize public worship and support faith formation.
In 2023, it expanded to include a Spanish-language initiative designed for Hispanic worship communities, including those in Puerto Rico, thanks to substantial funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., based in Indianapolis.
To discover more about the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program, visit worship.calvin.edu/grants/info.
A detailed list of current and past grant recipients is also available at worship.calvin.edu/grants/recipients.
Source: Religionnews
