Because each person is different, every person's life events and spiritual journeys will look different. But there are eight intentional steps that we can all take that will significantly impact our journey with Jesus. These steps are not one-time events, but rather "building blocks," each one building on the one before it as one grows and matures into a more Christ-like faith. These eight steps are not all of the steps you can take spiritually. They are just the ones we believe are most pivotal in our church context.
Here are the eight steps of spiritual growth that we emphasize at ECHO:
Step #1: Follow Jesus.
In order to follow Jesus we have to first realize that we are broken and fallen away from our Creator. The Bible calls this brokenness "sin," but you may have seen it in the form of broken dreams, pain, fallen friends, or a failed career. However you have seen brokenness in your life, He designed us to be fully alive and we need Him to make us whole.
When you have come to terms with your own brokenness and need for Jesus, you begin following him. After all, when Jesus died on the cross and raised from the dead, he conquered the sin that you have been experiencing and he invites you to let him take all of your burdens away.
A person who discovers the good news of Jesus at ECHO will start following Jesus once they really understand who he is and what he has done for us.
Step #2: Get baptized.
When you begin your journey with Jesus, the first act of showing your commitment to him is through baptism. Baptism is an outward display of what has happened inwardly in a person's life when they begin following Jesus. It is your way of showing others that you are following Jesus from now on by identifying with Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection.
A person who becomes a follower of Jesus at ECHO will get baptized in order to go public with his/her faith.
Step #3: Attend church.
Just like a player needs a band and an athlete needs a team, a follower of Jesus needs a church. We believe that because Jesus loves the Church, we should too and we don't take attending church lightly as a result.
The Bible calls the Church the "body" of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) in which every person plays a part in the larger story. The Church is not made up of perfect people, religious people, or even good people. It's made up of normal, everyday, regular people who follow Jesus. That's you! But it takes all the people together to make up the Church.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will make attending church a priority because he/she knows that you can't do this life alone.
Step #4: Join a Microchurch.
We were made for connection. God did not create us to do this life alone and He wants us to accomplish His great mission as a team. ECHO is a network of Microchurches, communities of people united around a common cause or mission field. You'll notice when you join a microchurch that it's smaller than our weekend services, but larger than a typical small group Bible study. Our microchurches are designed to be "small enough to care, but big enough to dare" and are considered churches in their own right.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will be a part of a microchurch if they intend to grow in community with other believers.
Step #5: Volunteer at church.
Did you know that studies have shown that people who serve at church actually grow more in their spiritual journey than those who don't? One of the MARCS of a believer at ECHO is service. We believe every Christ follower is called to give their life away in service to the mission of God through a local church. You don't have to be on staff or have experience in ministry to volunteer at ECHO. All you need is a willingness to learn and grow and contribute to the mission God has called us to.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will volunteer at church in order to advance the mission of God through out church.
Step #6: Talk to God
Growing spiritually isn't easy. It takes time, effort, and a desire to grow consistently. We want you to have every tool at your disposal in order to grow closer to God every day. One of the tools we provide at ECHO is called the ECHO Journal, a daily experience in which you spend 10-15 minutes with God in prayer, Bible study, and reflection.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will start a regular rhythm of talking with God through Bible reading and prayer as a primary way of growing in intimacy with Jesus.
Step #7: Live generously.
At ECHO, we will never make you feel guilty for not giving, but we do want you to become a generous person which includes much more than finances. After all, anyone can give money, but it takes a changed heart to be truly generous.
We live in an American culture that tells us that our lives will be measured by how much wealth we can acquire, how big of a house we live in, and how nice of a care we drive. But at ECHO we realize that at the end of your life, you will not be remembered for what you got, but you will be remembered for what you gave.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will live generously because they care more about God's mission and the people around them than themselves.
Step #8: Start a movement.
Jesus said in Matthew 20:8, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." He gave his life away in service to the world and the greatest movement ever seen was birthed.
At ECHO, we believe that every person has a movement inside of them that is waiting to be unleashed. We believe it happens by completing the great mission Jesus gave us and help others discover him and grow spiritually. This means you can begin a movement through ECHO when you start a microchurch, lead an ECHO hub (campus), or go into missions in another part of the country or world.
A growing follower of Jesus at ECHO will start a movement because spiritual growth will always result in making more and more apprentices of Jesus. We believe missions and church planting is the most effective way to accomplish this.
What is your next step?
Only you can answer this question. But first things first, if you have not given your life to Jesus and begun following him, I suggest you begin at Step #1. None of the other steps matter without this one.
Want more information? A deeper explanation of each of these steps and, in some cases, how you can take the step today is included on our website at www.EchoChurchNashville.com/Next-Steps.html.
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