
Case Study: The Congregation for Sacred Practices
The Congregation for Sacred Practices is a 501(c)3 religious organization that works with sacred plant medicines to offer healing and spiritual guidance to those on the awakening path.
Movement Maker was called in to work alongside the Founder as his strategic thought partner and to help get his grandiose vision off the ground. Over the next two years, we worked on a strategic plan to build their infrastructure, expanding into three new chapters and growing their Seminary to over 80+ licensed Ministers.
Services and Outcomes
Strategic Communications
We spearheaded a comprehensive communications strategy that served as the foundation for the Congregation’s growth and influence. Through market research and stakeholder interviews, we clarified their unique offerings and positioned them as a pioneering voice in the psychedelic movement. We crafted detailed audience personas, designed a dynamic admissions funnel, and executed a marketing strategy that resulted in a 175% increase in admissions applications, significantly expanding the reach and impact of their Seminary.
Content & Collateral Development
We architected an impactful content strategy, managing a monthly calendar that amplified the Congregation's voice across platforms. Our content strategy increased email open rates by 42% and boosted community engagement by 65%, leading to a 35% rise in course sign-ups and event attendance within six months.
Transformational Programming
As stewards of their in-person and virtual gatherings, we orchestrated a tapestry of events that embodied the spirit of sacred community and conscious leadership. Over the course of two years, we successfully oversaw over 20 sacred medicine ceremonies across the country, facilitated two impactful annual pilgrimages to Mexico with 97% participant satisfaction, and curated two transformative Leadership Summits that empowered over 60 Ministers. Our virtual offerings—including Integration Circles, Breathwork Sessions, and more fostered deep engagement and expanded the movement’s reach across digital spaces.
Community Building & Engagement
We nurtured a vibrant online community of over 1,000 members on Mighty Networks, cultivating a space where shared purpose, belonging, and spiritual exploration flourished. Over two years, we saw a 65% growth in active participation, with members interacting weekly through discussion threads, events, and shared rituals. Our monthly New Member Mixers consistently welcomed 15-20 new members, fostering immediate connection and integration into the community.
Strategic Outreach & Thought Leadership
We amplified the Congregation's presence on national stages, securing speaking opportunities for the Executive Director at prominent conferences, including DiscoveryCon in San Francisco. Strategic partnerships with organizations like MAPS and Chacruna allowed us to offer specialized programming and exclusive benefits to our congregants, further positioning the Congregation as a leading voice in the sacred practices movement.
Onboarding & Leadership Development
To support the Congregation’s sustainable growth, we designed and implemented a comprehensive onboarding system that successfully integrated over 80+ new Ministers and 3 regional chapters within two years. Our tailored onboarding processes streamlined the Minister journey—from initial training to full ordination—reducing onboarding time by 75%.
We developed a robust library of training materials, which was complemented by quarterly professional development workshops that reached over 70% of active Ministers.
Admissions & Seminary Operations
We streamlined the Seminary’s admissions operations, creating a seamless funnel from initial inquiry to enrollment. Our team managed every touchpoint—from running engaging Open Houses and interviewing prospective students to crafting onboarding flows that fostered connection and clarity. Over the course of four cohorts, we successfully guided 80+ students through to graduation, each emerging as licensed Ministers ready to serve their communities.
Special Projects & Digital Infrastructure
We oversaw the implementation of complex systems to enhance operational efficiency and user experience. This included project-managing a sophisticated CRM to streamline Minister onboarding and automating key workflows. We also played a pivotal role in building the Seminary’s Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring it remained a dynamic hub of knowledge with regularly updated course materials. Together, these systems created a cohesive digital ecosystem that empowered the Congregation to scale its impact while maintaining an exceptional user experience for both Ministers and students.
Paul Ryder, Founding Minister for the Congregation for Sacred Practices