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New PODCAST – Terribly Honest with David Tensen

New PODCAST – Terribly Honest with David Tensen

by David Tensen | 22 Jan, 2023 | All, Church -, leadership, Poetry, Transformation

Anchor made is too simple to upload my Youtube vlog audio into a podcast. So I did. Here it is, unedited, raw, honest. You’ll find links to Spotify and iTunes on that page. Search for Terribly Honest with David Tensen Enjoy… or don’t Here are the...
Losing God and Cradling Grief – Podcast Interview

Losing God and Cradling Grief – Podcast Interview

by David Tensen | 30 Aug, 2022 | All, Audio, leadership, Poetry

I appeared on a podcast to talk about my life, faith and poetry. The NINE LIVES podcast centres around the Enneagram. (I identify as leading with the 9.)  If you are into podcasts, you might like it, especially the 2nd episode where I share honestly on some tough...
Is your workplace embracing spirituality? You might want to…

Is your workplace embracing spirituality? You might want to…

by David Tensen | 25 Aug, 2022 | All, business, leadership

“TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF” This week, for the first time in 5 interviews, over 10+ screening calls, and 40+ job applications, I was asked to share about my faith, spirituality, and ideologies. To be honest, it was more validating than I...
A LACK OF ELDERS.  How we desperately need to grow up.

A LACK OF ELDERS. How we desperately need to grow up.

by David Tensen | 24 Apr, 2022 | All, Church -, leadership, masculinity, parenting, Resource, Transformation

This was the alarming start of a recent conversation.”Is it just me, or are older guys willing to be mentors really hard to find?””Yep.” I replied, “At this age and stage of life, they are harder to find.” Let’s call this...
REGRETTING WHAT I BELIEVED – The trap of Narrative Fallacy and the shame it brings.

REGRETTING WHAT I BELIEVED – The trap of Narrative Fallacy and the shame it brings.

by David Tensen | 9 Apr, 2022 | All, Church -, leadership, Shame, Transformation

It is almost a decade since I went into voluntary bankruptcy. In 2006 Natalie and I had sold up and sold out to do missions work in Japan. We returned in 2008 with our second child due . As it happened, we landed back in Australia on the doorstep of the Global...
When it doesn’t feel authentic, try it anyway.

When it doesn’t feel authentic, try it anyway.

by David Tensen | 9 Mar, 2022 | All, business, Church -, leadership, parenting

There is an emerging area of leadership practice and theory called Authentic Leadership. If you’ve studied leadership principles for a while you’ll know they are often relabelled (and repriced) social science theories. After all, leadership is grounded in...
When you gotta go. 4 Questions that may help with transitioning from church positions

When you gotta go. 4 Questions that may help with transitioning from church positions

by David Tensen | 29 Jul, 2020 | All, Church -, leadership, SHIPS, Transformation

It’s hard to know where to start on a topic like this because it is so complicated and multifaceted. When people move away from prominent positions in a church community and do something outside ‘church ministry’, there is often a storm of emotions and responses that...
The business of breaking bread. Have we lost our corporate soul?

The business of breaking bread. Have we lost our corporate soul?

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...
You’ve been lied too, and might want to get down… right now.

You’ve been lied too, and might want to get down… right now.

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,...
So, you’re think of moving your classes or church services online for a while?  3 things you should consider

So, you’re think of moving your classes or church services online for a while? 3 things you should consider

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...
Invisible Women Syndrome… in church. Video and Audio with Annie Layton

Invisible Women Syndrome… in church. Video and Audio with Annie Layton

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...

Sort Your Ship Out – Navigating Relational Seas

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...
An open letter to that frustrated guy around 30.

An open letter to that frustrated guy around 30.

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...
Don’t Care and Can’t Care… They’re not the same.

Don’t Care and Can’t Care… They’re not the same.

by David Tensen | 2 Nov, 2018 | All, Church -, General News, health, leadership, original thoughts, Shame, Transformation

Person A: “I’m in pain. I need help.” Person B: “OK… I see,” Person A: “OK??! Well, I’m telling you because I need you to be here for me. I need someone to care… and possibly help me too!” Right here, at this point, any number...
AN OPEN LETTER OF CONCERN WITH TODAY’S PUBLIC PROPHETIC CULTURE

AN OPEN LETTER OF CONCERN WITH TODAY’S PUBLIC PROPHETIC CULTURE

by David Tensen | 4 Jul, 2018 | All, Church -, leadership, Prayer

  I wanted to film this instead of writing it because sentiment can get lost in translation, and I wanted people to hear my heart on a topic that I know is dear to many – but also a place of great pain and confusion to some people, also. It’s a...
I Was a Willing Sacrifice

I Was a Willing Sacrifice

by David Tensen | 3 Jul, 2018 | All, Church -, leadership, Transformation

As a follow up to last week’s essay and articles on the dark side of organisational sacrificial, I wanted to add a couple of thoughts on the dynamics of organisational wounding. Because I think there are two main reasons we might find ourselves sacrificed for...
The Dark Side of Organisational Sacrifice – Blood in the Foundations

The Dark Side of Organisational Sacrifice – Blood in the Foundations

by David Tensen | 30 Jun, 2018 | All, Church -, family, leadership, Transformation

Foreword:  Before writing this I published a social concern essay on the Utilisation of Staff and Volunteers in church life. I received a few brief comments and some very lengthy emails from people who thanked me for writing it because it helped normalise their...
The Utilisation of Staff and Volunteers in Churches.  A Social Concern Essay

The Utilisation of Staff and Volunteers in Churches. A Social Concern Essay

by David Tensen | 28 Jun, 2018 | All, Church -, health, leadership

I’ve been in church leadership roles from the time I came to know Christ in my late teens. It’s been a wild 22-year ride, and I want to keep riding – albeit with less falling off, being shot at and running the horse into the ground.  The thing is, that stats...
Millennials: Not bad, at all. Why I’m cutting slack and taking sides.

Millennials: Not bad, at all. Why I’m cutting slack and taking sides.

by David Tensen | 8 Jun, 2018 | All, leadership, Transformation

Being born in 1978, I straddle the Gen-X and Millennial (Gen-Y) Generations. By 2020 it is believed 35% of the world’s workforce will be Millenials [1]. And I love the prospects. I know some social commentators have been critical of the Millenial’s flaws, but...
The Toll of Ministry Life – Emotional health, burnout and PTSD among clergy

The Toll of Ministry Life – Emotional health, burnout and PTSD among clergy

by David Tensen | 13 Apr, 2018 | All, Church -, family, health, leadership, Resource, Shame, Transformation

[read time 4-5 minutes] What if your profession brought you instant credibility, trust, and influence? You don’t need to become President, Prime Minister, a doctor or police officer to gain these – just become a church leader. Yes, research suggests that clergy...
« Older Entries
  • New PODCAST – Terribly Honest with David Tensen
  • On Unconditional Love and a message to my Facebook followers – The one where I confess
  • Write a Poetry Collection with me in 2023
  • Bouquet of Stars – Poetry Chapel Volume 3. By Chelan Harkin and Friends. Buy it here in Australia
  • Foundations for Change Workshop – Life and Faith Frameworks

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