Program Details

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14
Sarah Mentor

Jesus taught that the kingdom belongs to children, but many congregations are still learning how to make worship reflect that truth. The Worship Arts Cohort (WAC) is a two-year program designed to equip congregations to incorporate, strengthen, and enrich worship practices that fully include children. Congregations from Atlanta, Nashville, and Birmingham are invited to explore how children experience God and express their faith.

Small, intergenerational groups within these congregations will work on a fully funded project–up to $10,000–focused on a specific aspect of worship to support the full, conscious, and active participation of children in their church’s worship

Cohort Objectives

Participating churches will grow toward:

  1. Strengthening worship and prayer practices that attend to and respect how children experience and express faith.
  2. Enhancing inclusion of all children—including those with disabilities—in worship and prayer life.
  3. Drawing more deeply on the arts to enrich children’s worship experiences.
  4. Intentionally connecting worship with the daily lives of children and their families.

Eligibility & City-Specific Focus

The Worship Arts Cohort (WAC) congregations will be selected from the greater areas of:

  • Nashville: Engage children through musical practices and activities, with a particular focus on graded musical programming.
  • Birmingham: Engage children with special needs and their families in corporate worship.
  • Atlanta: Engage children through the creation of “praygrounds”—intentional pray/play spaces within the worship environment.

Selected churches must commit to designing a project aligned with the focus for their city.

Our Commitment to You

The Worship Arts Cohort (WAC) is part of Samford University’s Center for Worship and the Arts—a vibrant hub dedicated to equipping leaders at the intersection of worship, theology, and the arts.

We are igniting conversations that help churches reimagine how worshipers of all ages can flourish. The Center champions church leaders, mentors, and young people across Christian traditions as uniquely gifted co-creators of faithful and artistic worship. Through research, resources, and transformative gatherings, we are creating a platform that enlivens congregations and nurtures lifelong worshipers of Jesus Christ.

Research

Our team will partner with your congregation to assess the impact of your cohort project in real time. Using focus groups, interviews, and surveys, we will help you reflect on successes, identify challenges, and discern next steps for enriching your church’s intergenerational worship life.

Resources

We resource cohorts with guidance from key leaders connected with our work and provide practical tools like books, facilitated conversations, videos, continuing education opportunities, and even early access content related to our upcoming album, Monday Songs.

Transformative Gatherings

Over two years, cohorts will attend four events: two Fall regional hub meetings to connect with nearby cohorts, and two Spring Worship Exchange Summit at Samford University featuring workshops and plenaries on children’s engagement in worship and the arts. These gatherings foster connection and shared learning, with most travel expenses covered for non-local churches.

Application Information

View application information.

Application Process & Timeline

The WAC program includes two two-year cohorts, each with six congregations:

  • WAC 1: Spring 2026 – December 2027
  • WAC 2: Summer 2028 – Spring 2030

WAC 1 Timeline

  • Fall 2025: Applications open
  • December 2025: Applications close
  • January 2026: Cohorts announced
  • Spring 2026: Projects begin
  • Summer/Fall 2026: Regional Hub Meeting
  • Spring 2027: Worship Exchange Summit
  • Summer/Fall 2027: Regional Hub Meeting
  • Spring 2028: Worship Exchange Summit

WAC 2 Timeline

  • January 2028: Applications open
  • Spring 2028: Applications close
  • June 2028: Cohorts announced
  • Summer 2028: Projects begin
  • Summer/Fall 2028: Regional Hub Meeting
  • Spring 2029: Worship Exchange Summit
  • Summer/Fall 2029: Regional Hub Meeting
  • Spring 2030: Worship Exchange Summit

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of projects can a cohort choose?

Projects should reflect your city’s focus, but we encourage creativity in imagining new ways of engaging children in worship.

How many people are needed for a cohort?

Strong cohorts typically have between 6 to 12 adult members, with room to flex larger if needed. We also expect children to participate in these cohorts, though there is no fixed number.

What qualifies as intergenerational?

Each cohort should include a mix of generations from your congregation. Both children and adults must be involved.

Do we need to have an arts focus? 

Not necessarily (aside from the cohorts focused on graded musical programming)!

Can we partner with another church if our congregation is small?

No. WAC requires each cohort to come from a single congregation.

Can we apply if we don’t have a fully developed project idea yet?

Yes! Submit your best ideas—we’ll help you shape them for your context.

Are Worship Exchange Summits required?

Yes, all cohort members must attend both Summits during their program cycle (either WAC 1 OR WAC 2).

Will cohorts get access to the suite of resources provided by the CWA? 

Absolutely! All of our CWA resources are available to cohorts, as well as some extra perks for cohort participants.

What will be required of the cohorts during the research process? 

After going through the appropriate informed consent process, one or two of our researchers may participate as observers in your intergenerational worship services, interview parents and children, and/or administer congregation wide surveys at varying intervals.

What if my church is not within the metro area of either Birmingham, Nashville, or Atlanta? 

If you are willing to find your own travel to the in-person cohort meetings in whichever metro area you choose, you may apply. However, we will be prioritizing the most local cohorts.

What if my church is in one city but wants to conduct a project that aligns with the topic for another city?

Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, but your cohort leaders will need to attend meetings in the metro area of the cohort.

What age range qualifies as a “child”?

12 and under

Apply Now