Our Primary Purpose
by Brett King, RMCA Principal
A radio talk-show host recently caught my attention.
In what seemed like an attempt to keep the listener from tuning out,
he announced that after the commercial break he would reveal the purpose
and meaning of life. At that point, I turned off the radio but tuned
in to the question.
Questions demand answers. Answers communicate beliefs.
Beliefs affect behavior. This is why exploring profound and even difficult
questions about educational philosophy is delightfully intriguing and
vitally important. The manner in which we educate our children does
impact their lives. And whether we have deeply thought about it or not,
each of us has formed a set of beliefs that influence our view of education.
What then is the purpose of education? That critical question
has puzzled people for centuries, and is often a source of great controversy.
But as we attempt to clarify this question for RMCA, it is critical
that we first understand that beliefs influence educational practices.
Beliefs about issues such as the fundamental purpose of education, the
nature of the student, the role of government, and the role of the parent
will knowingly or unknowingly influence key elements of a school—the
curriculum designed, the books chosen, the teachers hired, the students
served, the instructional methods used, and the priorities set. And
in today’s society, one reason there are a myriad of educational
options is because there are a variety of beliefs about why schools
exist and what they should teach.
At RMCA, we believe that we serve a God who knows us and
wants us to know Him. He is good. He is just. And this goodness and
justice culminated in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ—who
lived as our perfect example, died for our sins, and was brought back
to life so we would have the choice to be forever reconciled with our
creator. This truth is the foundation upon which we stand. It is the
central message that we communicate to students. And helping students
to understand, embrace, and apply this message in every aspect of life
is our primary purpose. Guiding students through this process of spiritual
transformation is what we are all about!
Spiritual transformation is central, but not exclusive,
to the purpose of Christian education. In fact, we can only claim this
noble purpose as an extension of the Church and as a partner to the
Christian home. Ideally, the home, the Church, and the Christian school
work in concert to powerfully influence the spiritual development of
students. However, as a part of this three-legged stool, the Christian
school is uniquely positioned to impact students for Christ.
After all, schools have students for thousands of hours.
In that time, students will encounter ideas that, explicitly and implicitly,
shape their understanding of the world around them and their place in
it. At RMCA, we have the advantage of integrating the message of Scriptures
into every aspect of instruction. We intentionally take advantage of
this time to engage students’ hearts and minds, helping them view
every aspect of life through the lens of God’s truth, goodness,
and beauty. This is what drives us. It is what we tirelessly pursue.
This is an uphill pursuit in a downhill world. It has
been my experience that families who are committed to this primary purpose
often face pressures that shift their focus from this pursuit. That
is why it is critical to ask yourself this key question, “What
is the primary purpose for my child’s education?” If that
answer does not include a desire for spiritual transformation, you may
be frustrated with RMCA’s priorities. But if it does, you can
be confident this primary purpose motivates us to love your children
and join with you to help them encounter the living Christ!
