The 8 Things the Early Church Did Every Week That American Churches Stopped Doing

The early church practiced 8 things every week that many American churches have gradually abandoned. But what disappeared, when did it happen, and what did the church lose along the way? In this documentary, Christian Faith Archive explores eight practices of the early Christian church and examines how American Protestant worship changed over the centuries. Drawing on historical sources such as the New Testament, the Didache, Justin Martyr’s First Apology, and the writings of early church fathers, we investigate how the earliest Christians gathered, worshiped, prayed, and cared for one another. Discover the history behind these eight practices: - Early morning worship — gathering before dawn as an expression of commitment to Christ. - Extended Scripture reading — giving the Word of God a central place in worship. - The greeting of peace — practicing reconciliation within the Christian community. - Weekly Communion — gathering around the Lord’s Supper. - Care for the poor — sharing resources to help people in need. - Corporate confession and prayer — acknowledging sin and seeking God’s grace together. - The catechumenate — preparing new believers through sustained teaching and spiritual formation. - The sending of believers — leaving worship with a purpose to serve the world. This documentary examines the historical changes behind these practices, including the influence of revivalism, modern church growth strategies, and changing approaches to Sunday worship. But this is not simply a journey into the past. It raises an important question for the modern church: Could recovering the practices of the early Christians help American congregations build deeper faith, stronger community, and more committed disciples? Watch until the end and tell us: Which early church practice do you wish your church would restore? Subscribe to Christian Faith Archive for honest, well-researched documentaries about the real story of Christianity in America. #ChristianFaithArchive #Christianity#EarlyChurch #EarlyChristianity