We hope you enjoy this timely article series from Dr. Ramesh Richard. “Testing, Testing, Testing” was originally shared in RR Crossing, a RREACH spiritual health resource. Below is an overview of the four-part series complete with the corresponding video message from Dr. Richard.

“Testing, Testing, Testing… Global PAN(DEM)IC and a Sound Faith”
Introduction

“A global contagion has unnerved the collective human psyche. Panic is embedded in pandemic, not solely in letter, but in spirit. The scale and speed of this pathogen have united the world in fear. You, too, may have felt a bit anxious over these exceptional days of isolation, contact-tracing and testing, testing, testing.”

Watch the video below and then read the article introduction further here.

Part I of III: Identity Check

“Disruptions always test the quality of our self-identity. We form identities for other people’s benefit, and sometimes at another’s expense. Psychologists and sociologists point to multiple types of identities with many inputs and components. For instance, identity politics divides by race, color, caste, religion, gender and so on. Identity economics categorizes society by monetary markers, whether in a three-class or nine-class hierarchy.”

Watch the video below and then read the article further here.

Part II of III: Maturity Check

“I heard a new word yesterday: adulting. Does it sound right to you? A bit risqué? Disaster checks the quality of our adulting—a maturing process of turning us into spiritual adults when we would rather remain as spiritual infants. Crises accelerate the spiritual maturing process. I know no other way to become mature or verify maturity than through trials.”

Watch the video below and then read the article further here.

Part III of III: Security Check

“Security builds on survival—a basic human need—but takes a longer view. You and I have physically survived until now, or we wouldn’t be in dialogue. But physical survival does not guarantee security. The onslaught of a dangerous infectious agent threatens the physical health of tens of thousands, myself included. It also undermines economic and psychological safety.”

Watch the video below and then read the article further here.

About the Author:  Dr. Ramesh Richard serves as the founder and president of RREACH; general convener of the Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers 2016; Professor of Global Theological Engagement and Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary; and founder and chairman of Trainers of Pastors International Coalition. He holds a Th.D. in Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Delhi. To learn more about the ministry of RREACH, click here. For other articles from Dr. Ramesh Richard click here.