Imago Dei
by President Mike Swalm
A number of years ago, my wife and I were blessed to travel to France during a sabbatical. We toured the countryside and then spent a few days roaming Paris. There were so many incredible sights to see, but we both found ourselves fascinated by the museum dedicated to the artist Auguste Rodin. As we wandered through the museum, we learned about the artist and his world. Interestingly, Rodin was friends with other famous artists, and the museum contained a few examples of gifts given to Rodin by his friends. Two examples stood out to us, small paintings in a corner of the museum that were mostly unremarkable, but which sparked recognition in us both. The first was a seascape with muted, almost blurred colours, giving the viewer a sense of the movement of the ocean crashing against the rocks. The other depicted a pair of workers gathering wheat from a field with a town in the background. There are plaques on the wall describing the scenes, but there is absolutely no need for the plaques. The styles of both paintings, the brush strokes and colours and subject matter, point clearly to their creators.
Seeing those two paintings reminded me of the book of Ephesians. Ephesians 2:8-9 are some of the best-known verses in scripture, but it’s not this passage that the paintings reminded me of. The following verse is what stood out: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10). This version (NIV) is good, but I like the New Living Translation’s take on this verse even more: “we are God’s masterpiece!” Isn’t that fantastic? Masterpiece!!!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t often feel like a masterpiece. I look in the mirror and grimace. Even worse, I look at my soul in the mirror and I dislike what I see. I see the blemishes, the problems, the darkness and wickedness and shame, and I have to look away. And that’s true. I’m pretty rotten. But Ephesians doesn’t let me off the hook to stew in misery. Instead, Ephesians reminds me that I don’t save myself, but I am MADE by God to do the good work created by Him for me. I am made fantastic in His sight. The scriptures call it “fearful” and “wonderful.” God made me, and like the paintings by Monet and Van Gogh, when people look at me (and you) they can see the brushstrokes, colours, and intention of the Creator. God’s love, care, passion, and desire are etched on us in incredible ways. All of creation looks on us humans and says “oh, I see it!” We’re not a Monet. We’re not a Van Gogh. We’re a Jesus: a masterpiece created by the Almighty, easily recognizable, created for the work He set aside for us to do.
It’s critical for us to realize that the masterpiece of God is not designed to be hung on a wall, however. The workmanship of God only accomplishes what the Creator designed it to accomplish when it is actively doing the work. We are not created as masterpieces simply to be admired: our work is to do the good work of the Kingdom so that all of creation will see it and worship the one who created it in the first place. We are most beautiful, most a masterpiece, when we are seen doing the good work we were designed for. And thanks be to God, He’s not finished with these masterpieces yet!
All the best,
President Rev. Dr. Mike Swalm
Alumni Spotlight: Aaron
I work in a local church, in Calgary, serving as the associate pastor. I attended RMC from 1999 to 2004 and I received a Bachelor of Art in Religion. I have served on the board at RMC since 2021. I envision a school that helps equip people to serve in Christian mission for the glory of God. A school that partners with the Spirit of God in transforming lives to have a Kingdom impact for the glory of God.
Partner Student Spotlight: Caleb
Calib attended RMC through our partnership with Lifeteams: School of Youth Outreach. Lifeteams is a program run out of Abbotsford, BC that focuses on mentorship and discipleship, accepting only ten students per year. Our partnership with students attending Lifeteams offers the opportunity for students to continue their studies at RMC after their incredible year at Lifeteams.
Through his time at Lifeteams he thoroughly enjoyed his practicum serving at a High School in the area and walking alongside teens and the challenges they face. He worked to build relationships, and this paid off when he later visited and was greeted with huge hugs! The time he spent pouring into these kids proved to be fruitful.
Since finishing Lifeteams, Caleb had a work experience at a camp where he was privileged to come alongside the staff in a leadership role. His desire was to support them, even in a role where he was sometimes younger than his staff. Through the incredible mentorship he received from Lifeteams, he picked up those skills and was able to put them into practice at camp. He leads from a place of servanthood, and is quoted as saying, I’ve realized that “Leaders do the hard stuff. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to be cleaning toilets or directing a youth group, both of those are leadership roles”.
Through his time at Lifeteams he thoroughly enjoyed his practicum serving at a High School in the area and walking alongside teens and the challenges they face. He worked to build relationships, and this paid off when he later visited and was greeted with huge hugs! The time he spent pouring into these kids proved to be fruitful.
Since finishing Lifeteams, Caleb had a work experience at a camp where he was privileged to come alongside the staff in a leadership role. His desire was to support them, even in a role where he was sometimes younger than his staff. Through the incredible mentorship he received from Lifeteams, he picked up those skills and was able to put them into practice at camp. He leads from a place of servanthood, and is quoted as saying, I’ve realized that “Leaders do the hard stuff. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to be cleaning toilets or directing a youth group, both of those are leadership roles”.
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Steve's Experience
I had the pleasure of taking the “Introduction to the Bible” course through Pathways recently. I enjoyed the ability to complete the course work at my own speed which gave me the confidence to pursue a program through RMC.
The other institutions I contacted to inquire about Pastoral training required I spend 1-2 nights each week in class. As a pastor, I could not see how I would be able to juggle the workload of school, my job and also still have quality time with my family.
Pathways has changed that for me. I now look forward to expanding my understanding of God’s word. This will be a huge asset in the daily performance of my ministry duties, but also in my personal growth as a follower of Jesus.”
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Pray that our graduating students would experience God's favour as they look forward to the next chapter in their journey.
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Pray for the RMC Board as they work together with RMC to provide guidance and support.
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Pray for our current students as they head into summer.
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Pray that our alumni, spread far and wide, would know the grace and mercy of God today.
