by David Tensen | 12 May, 2020 | All, Church -, Resource, Social Media
So, if you’re reading this, there is a chance you’re a Christian. There is also a high probability you are of the Evangelical Christian variety (BTW, that does include most Pentecostals and Charismatics, Baptists and non-denominational). It’s a...
by David Tensen | 4 May, 2020 | All, business, leadership, Poetry
Once upon a time, a company was not held together by a legal structure. It was not limited and protected by firewalls of intricately woven words and laws crafted to protect its beneficiaries from having to… well… care. This isn’t to say that every...
by David Tensen | 25 Apr, 2020 | All, Poetry
It’s as if the car broke down on our way to the future. And instead of waiting on the highway for roadside assistance, we moved into the car. I’m working from a plastic camping desk in my garage. A two-and-a-half grand Macbook on an shaky thirty dollar...
by David Tensen | 2 Apr, 2020 | All, Transformation
Perhaps it is time to recover the lost art of lament. The amount of anxiety and grief in the world right now is palpable. The relational, emotional and financial fallout from this crisis will echo for years to come. For most, there is no Plan B play-book for most. So...
by David Tensen | 30 Mar, 2020 | All, Poetry, Prayer
I wrote this a few days ago and wish to share it with you. To me, hand washing has become a kind of incremental baptism. As we move into this liminal period of lock-downs and isolation, my hope is that we will all emerge far more humane and compassionate than...
by David Tensen | 25 Mar, 2020 | All, leadership, original thoughts, Resource, Social Media, Transformation
See the spike on that graph? It’s labeled Mt. Stupid. Right now, that’s pretty much where most of our COVID-19 related posts are situated. The Dunning-Kruger Effect illustrates how most of us approach knowledge. It starts with knowing nothing. Next minute,...
by David Tensen | 22 Mar, 2020 | All, Audio, Children, family, General News, Prayer, Resource, Transformation
From 2013 to 2017, Natalie and I created six spoken word, prayer and blessing albums. The albums have made a difference in thousands of lives around the world. We thought, at this hour, with many people stuck at home, some of you might appreciated them....
by David Tensen | 15 Mar, 2020 | All, Australia, General News, Transformation
Imagine for a moment a virus. A virus which begins claiming the lives of the frail and vulnerable across the world. It is a communicable disease that spreads like previous strains. But it catches the medical community off-guard and its presence is met with...
by David Tensen | 13 Mar, 2020 | All, Church -, leadership, Resource
In light of the recent the COVID19 pandemic, a number of pastors, teachers and trainers have been considering streaming online services/training/classes in place of meeting in-person. My wife and I ran gatherings and teachings for Christians for about three years. We...
by David Tensen | 7 Feb, 2020 | All, Poetry, recommended links
THAT PHOTO OF YOU ON YOUR FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL When I look at that photo of you on your first day at school; I mean, really look at it; I see myself. I see A young Wide-eyed Slightly-scared Smiling-for-the-photo Knot-in-my-stomach No-idea-on-what’s-coming Part of...
by David Tensen | 26 Jan, 2020 | All, Poetry
It could feel Like you are nowhere For 40 minutes For 40 days 40 years, perhaps. One thing is certain; At first You will believe you’re lost. If you’re lucky Loneliness and despair Will tap you on the shoulder Reminding you Of their faithful presence. Part of you Will...
by David Tensen | 15 Jan, 2020 | All, recommended links
As many of you know, the 2020 fires in Australia has claimed the lives of many people and Australian wildlife. David’s daughter, Mia, has handmade a small batch of Koala Pins from clay. She’s hand-painted and varnished them too. All profits from these will...
by David Tensen | 27 Nov, 2019 | All, General News
Every season begins and ends. Sometimes, endings are difficult; sometimes they are necessary; at times they accompany joy, other times, sadness. It was seven years ago that I felt God clearly speak to me to leave the well-paid management work I was doing and begin a...
by David Tensen | 30 Oct, 2019 | All, Church -, leadership
Just before recording this, the Christian world had been watching the fall out generated by American Pastor John Macarthur’s comments on Pastor Beth Moore. There were some choice statements made about women in ministry. Annie Layton and myself thought...
by David Tensen | 27 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
‘Oh God.’ Five letters. Two words. One exhale. Full stop. ‘Oh God.’ All my voice could say. Trusting that my very being would fill in the detail. ‘Oh God.’ Hand over mouth. Hand over heart. Your hand over me I hope. ‘Oh...
by David Tensen | 21 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
Of all the poetry I’ve written, this piece is the dearest to me. It has been a faithful companion to me for the past year. One of two I’ve committed to memory. It remains a compass and summary of my journey towards midlife. I’ve never published it...
by David Tensen | 19 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
“Dad, I’m gay.” Confessed the young man And his father embraced him Just as he’d always done “Mum, I’m gonna be a single mum.” Confessed the young woman And her mother embraced her Just as she’d always done” Dad, I...
by David Tensen | 7 Oct, 2019 | All, Children, parenting
Hey, dads! Playing frequently with your young kids matters all the way to the classroom. Some recent research by Meuwissen and Carlson in the Journal of Family Psychology [1] underlines the importance of fathers playing with their pre-school children. Again, dads,... by David Tensen | 3 Sep, 2019 | All, family, leadership, SHIPS, Transformation
(4-minute read) “I don’t get it, I thought we were friends! I leave the team, and boom, I’m cut off and no one contacts me anymore.” Sound familiar? In working with leaders across organisations, you come across many cases of ‘disappointment’ stemming...
by David Tensen | 1 Sep, 2019 | All, leadership, Transformation
It’s a confronting, tough and frustrating time. It’s filled with new energy and a different type of the drive to what we experienced in our teens and twenties. Guys between 28 and 32 (roughly) who hit their thirties tend to make major, life-altering...