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 driver's seat of my car to the comfort of my living room couch - to deeply analyze what truly creates an inclusive, hospitable environment for a digital audience. Part field guide, part conversation, this space is dedicated to discovering how hybrid worship can make everyone feel right 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 me if I’m running a clinical, perfectly balanced sociological study. The short answer? Not even close.
This website is a chronicle of a 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 I love - spaces that make my spirit lean in and make me want to curl up in my digital pew 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 celebrate creativity in their 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.
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 beautifully honest answer? I am letting God lead me on this journey.
I didn’t start this project with a five-year corporate spreadsheet or a rigid destination in mind. I started it as an act of curiosity and obedience - a personal exploration of how grace, fellowship, and radical inclusion move through a fiber-optic cable. Because of that, the future of this website is an open door, and I am entirely at peace letting Him lead the way.
That being said, as I sit in my digital pews week after week, the notebook pages are filling up and the vision is starting to bloom. Depending on the path He lays out for me, I can see this project growing into a few different exciting seasons:
- Articles & Deep Dives: Translating these weekly observations into deeper articles, essays, or long-form pieces exploring the rich theology of digital hospitality.
- A Book: Gathering the threads of this multi-church adventure into a cohesive manuscript on the evolving landscape of hybrid worship practices.
- Speaking Engagements: Stepping out from behind the screen to share these stories, trends, and insights at conferences, workshops, or community gatherings.
- Cozy Consulting: Partnering with churches who need helo 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.
And honestly? That is more than enough. If you choose to follow along on this journey, my hope is that maybe it will broaden yours 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 beautifully 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, and the architect of their virtual elder program.
Before stepping into my regional presbytery role, I spent 14 years self-employed, 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 pieces for the DIY Network and advocated for creativity through writing, teaching, and media work both in the U.S. and abroad.Whether it’s a logo design, exterior church signage, newsletters, 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 journey through 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.