Author

Charles Hambrick-Stowe

Retired pastor, seminary dean and professor

Charles Hambrick-Stowe is the retired pastor of the First Congregational Church, Ridgefield, Connecticut. In his writings he brings together experience as a local church pastor and in seminary administration and teaching. Before returning to pastoral ministry he was academic dean and professor of Christian history at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illiniois, and director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of two churches in Maryland and Pennsylvania over a 22-year period. Hambrick-Stowe is the author or editor of six books and numerous articles in the field of American religious history.

droplet on a leaf

Apply for a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant 

Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000. 

The grants support year-long projects that show promise in fostering renewed or strengthened worship practices within worshiping communities in the United States or Canada. Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for teacher-scholars are also available. Applications for the October 15 deadline will open on July 15, 2026.

Learn More