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

On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 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 build relationships around the table by exploring a dinner church format and by reflecting on Scripture to create new songs that represent this expression of worship.
To strengthen participation in the sacraments through study and reflection on the connections between baptism, communion, faith formation and Christian community.
To live deeply into the Scriptural connection between the Lord’s Supper and social witness, with particular awareness of the contextual challenges of racism and violence.
To develop a missional theology of the table and create worship resources in order to better connect worship with a missional vocation.
To strengthen practices of the sacraments through artistic expressions that will amplify the meaning of the sacraments and strengthen community.
To cultivate youth to lead as well-formed liturgical musicians and ministers, expanding their knowledge of worship in music, ritual, and text.
To articulate a shared theology of worship and understanding of the Lord's Supper in order to enrich worship participation and practices throughout the church year.
To equip congregations to welcome persons into a community of faith and prepare them for a lifelong journey of discipleship beginning with baptism through an immersion event and a mentoring program.
To deepen understanding and develop creative practices of communion and community in gathering around the table with people of other Christian denominations.
To explore a deeper understanding of the sacrament of Holy Communion and Washing of the Feet in a year-long ecumenical learning program with another congregation.
To develop a year-long emphasis on all ages living in the presence of God in worship by encouraging deeper participation in scripture, sacraments, prayer, and the arts.
To train leaders through study of the theology of baptism and to promote life together in a diverse community through designing and implementing vesper worship services.
