Gathered Elsewhere
Welcome to a different kind of sanctuary. My mission is to intentionally bridge the gap between digital technology and genuine spiritual connection. By visiting four online churches a week, I step into diverse virtual spaces - from the comfort of my car to my living room couch - to consider and reflect on what elements create inclusive, hospitable environments for a digital audience. Part field guide, part conversation - this space is dedicated to discovering how hybrid worship can make everyone feel at home, no matter where their digital pew happens to be.
The Churches I Choose
Because I’m visiting four churches a week, some people have asked if I’m running a clinical, balanced, unbiased sociological study. The short answer? Not even close.
This website is a chronicle of my deeply personal journey, which means the spaces I choose to evaluate are curated by a very specific compass: my own heart. I’m not out here looking for an artificially "balanced" cross-section of the internet. I am looking for the kind of church communities that I love - spaces that make my spirit lean in and make me want to curl up in my digital pew and join in with a fresh cup of coffee. To that end, I intentionally seek out sanctuaries that actively honor inclusion, warmly embrace diversity, practice radical love, and cultivate creativity through worship. You will see a lot of female pastors on my roster because, quite frankly, I love women in leadership and prefer female-led teaching (though it’s certainly not a deal-breaker if the vibe is right!).
Let's be entirely transparent about where I draw the line. While my approach to hybrid worship is relaxed, my boundaries are rigid. I do not tolerate, feature, or review churches that wield hate as a weapon or practice Christian Nationalism. You will not find me visiting digital spaces that use the pulpit to exclude, condemn, or align the Gospel with political supremacy or discrimination.
Where This Project Is Going
When you tell people you are visiting four different churches online every single week, the next question is often: "Why?"
The honest answer? I am letting God lead me on this journey.
I didn’t start this project with a five-year plan or a set destination in mind. It started on Christmas Eve, when I was up late, battling anxiety and thinking about my faith. I felt called to try something new. It was an act of curiosity and obedience - a personal exploration of how grace, fellowship, and radical inclusion can be experienced anywhere.
Because of the undefined nature of this call, feels like a seed. I am at peace letting God tend this garden.
That being said, as I sit in my digital pew week after week, and I keep getting ideas and making observations - the vision is starting to bloom. Depending on the path God lays out for me, I can see this project growing into a few different exciting directions:
- Articles & Deep Dives: Translating these weekly observations into deeper articles, essays, or long-form pieces exploring digital hospitality.
- A Book: Gathering the threads of this multi-church adventure into a cohesive manuscript on the evolving landscape of hybrid worship practices. Including interviews with hybrid churches and online attendees.
- Speaking Engagements: Stepping out from behind the screen to share these stories, trends, and insights at conferences, workshops, or gatherings (either online or in person).
- Cozy Consulting: Partnering with churches who need help to navigate the digital landscape. I want to look at their streams not just from a technical standpoint, but through the lens of true human connection - offering practical, heart-centered guidance on how to better connect online and make a remote viewer feel like a deeply valued part of their community.
But there is an equally beautiful alternative. Maybe none of those things will happen. Maybe this project will simply be for me - a quiet, intentional space to heal my spirit and broaden my horizons. Hopefully, someone who needs it will find it and use this site to reconsider and improve their online engagement.
And honestly? That is more than enough. If you choose to follow along on this journey, my hope is that maybe it will broaden your horizons, too.
About the Author, Emily Adams
At my core, I am an optimistic person who loves my family and friends fiercely. I’ve been married to my husband, Matt, since 1999, and we live in North Texas with our adorably ridiculous dog, Rambo. While we don't have children of our own, we are proudly known as “Aunt Emily and Uncle Matt” not just to our immediate nieces and nephews, but to over 60 children of our cousins, close friends, and chosen family. We are deeply honored and delighted to be a part of their vibrant lives.
My heart and my career have always been intertwined with creativity, communication, and the church. Currently, I serve as the Coordinator of Communications and Media for Grace Presbytery, where I have the absolute privilege of supporting over a hundred congregations across North Texas, as well as our team. My faith journey began in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where I grew up active in my home congregation, eventually serving as a lay leader, communications consultant, member of the innovation team, and the architect of their virtual elder program.
Before stepping into my regional presbytery role, I spent 14 years as an entrepreneur - supporting congregations, nonprofits, small businesses, and artists nationwide with their branding, communication, and website needs. I stepped into that freelance world after a beloved chapter in the paper crafts industry. As an educator, marketer, and product designer, I was on teams that launched creative products at Target, Hobby Lobby, and QVC; I even filmed segments for the DIY Network and advocated for creativity through writing, teaching, and media work both in the U.S. and abroad.
Whether it’s logo design, branding and signage, newsletter or website builds - I’ve spent decades helping people and ministries share their unique stories.
All of that brings us to this current adventure. Right now, I am letting my creative and spiritual background collide as I take a spiritual journey by visiting four different churches online every single week.
pictured: Emily & hubby, Matt, just Emily, and Emily with two of her besties, Rev. Laurie and Martha
Emily's Other Sites
DiscoveringBeans
Emily spills the beans. Where she shares her obsession with heirloom beans - posting reviews, cooking tips, recipes, and shopping links - designed to nourish your body and add some variety to your table.