A few years back I heard a story of a family who were serving in a regional church community as Pastors. The husband was doing much of the work but, as we know, expectations always…
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Sneak Peek! New Poetry Collection
This is the cheeky post before the official launch date post but I can’t wait to share this with you. This new poetry collection was written and published with a number of emerging poets. And…
Reducing Church-based Trauma. Should we start with the Ministry Workers?
In 2011, researcher Marlene Winell coined the phrase Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) in an effort to define the set of symptoms found in those who ‘participated in or left behind authoritarian, dogmatic, and controlling religious…
WHERE DO YOU GO TO CHURCH? Well, it’s complicated.
Last month, Natalie and I came home from a day at our respective workplaces and we’d each been asked the same question, “Where do you guys go to church?” I’ve asked it of others many…
Pastors Under Pressure – Deep dive workshop with David Tensen.
DESCRIPTION Drawing upon decades of life experience and academic research, David Tensen returns to present an interactive 3 hour workshop. Previously, this workshop was presented to therapists and industry experts. This workshop will be open to the public. You…
TO MY SON: ON DATING AND I DOs – a poem
A woman’s body is not yours, son.And yours not hers.Never forget, she’s not yours to possess. Before you hold her to your hip,hold her in your heart, son in love. in adoration. in mutual respect….
Regardless of your opinion, you cannot create unity. Ever.
My recent poetic response on Facebook to some local graffiti sparked an avalanche of comments, PMs and discussions with colleagues. Some of the pushback was not as vicious as I received from a post I…
Poetry and Publishing Collective – Expressions of interest open.
Perhaps this is you?! I’m looking for people interested in being part of a poetry and publishing collective. Here is what I have in mind, if it sounds a bit vague, it’s because I’m creating…
My Present Concern – a father’s poem
It seems this poem does resonate beyond Australia’s borders. I hear a quiet whisper among concerned parents like myself, but few step up to say much.
Thank you, Steve Austin. You’ll be fiercely missed.
My heart has been heavy the last 24 hours after hearing the news of Steve Austin passing away. Like so many around the world would say, we never met in person, but his character and…
A poem for Pentecost
25 years ago I was born again into a tradition where speaking in other tongues was taught in a hyper-personal context. Reading Acts Chapter 2 again this year over Pentecost, I came to see a…
Interview with John McDonald in Scotland – Poetry as the language of the heart
I chat with poet David Tensen about his inspirations, broken times, when trite faith answers don’t add up and wounded heroes. We speak about recovery from burnout, the need to be a rescuer and how…
PODCAST INTERVIEW – Rethinking God with Tacos. May ’21
I loved spending time with @jasonclarkis and @pastorderekt on their Rethinking God with Tacos Podcast last week. Extract from their webpage:Trauma, pain, empathy like Jesus, and healing for the oppressed, misunderstood, lost, or broken; in this podcast David Tensen…
Have best-selling poet David Tensen write you a poem. Custom commission poetry.
Do you have an upcoming personal occasion or commercial event* you’d like to make extra special with something unique and beautiful? Have best-selling poet David Tensen write you a poem. David will write a one…
Sex, Sexuality and the Scapegoated
My latest book contains a couple of poems around the topic of sexuality. I wrote them for those who messaged me with tragic stories of sexual abuse by church workers and community ostracisation due to…
So I Wrote You A Poem – poems on loss, grief and faith. 2021 Special Collection Book
This poetry collection is truly unique. Written over 21 days combining anonymous stories from over 60 people who wrote to David on Instagram in January 2021. Available worldwide in softcover and eBook. Release date April…
Deconstruction is not a dirty word. It’s necessary.
The deconstruction of a person’s faith seems to have gained popularity over the past few years. From my view, increasingly more podcasts, books, courses and articles seem to be made and released every year. Heck,…
Pastors Under Pressure – the hidden complexities most don’t see.
I thought it was normal. But it wasn’t. That afternoon, when the organiser called to thank me for speaking at a breakfast for the 20 local pastors, he confirmed that robust rebuttal and tearful confession…