Messy Truth

How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction

By: Caleb Kaltenbach

Narrated by: Caleb Kaltenbach

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of Messy Grace, a former pastor raised by gay parents, comes a compassionate playbook to help Christians, church staff, and ministry leaders create a culture of belonging without sacrificing theological convictions.

What should we do? This is a question many Christians are asking as they face shifting societal norms, conflicting opinions, and often inaccurate scriptural interpretations regarding those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Caleb Kaltenbach believes there’s a more helpful question: What am I willing to do to keep and build influence with ______________?

Caleb knows our love for others is best measured by the lengths we’ll go to help them. He also recognizes that people find and follow Jesus better in community than in isolation. As a child raised by three activist gay parents, Caleb experienced firsthand the outrage of some Christians. That’s why he is committed to creating a sense of belonging for all people.

True community can happen only when Christians are intentional in infusing their attitudes, systems, and values with grace and truth. This hopeful, practical book offers tools for encouraging church involvement, strengthening personal relationships, increasing empathy, and engaging in pivotal conversations about grace and truth with our whole community.

Fostering a culture of belonging is a messy process, but it holds a massive possibility for everyone involved: a growing relationship with Jesus.

©2021 Caleb Kaltenbach (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“The church desperately needs wise and winsome guides that can equip us to lavishly love LGBTQ people in the context of very real, very messy churches and ministries. Caleb Kaltenbach is one of those guides!” (Michelle Sanchez, executive minister of Make and Deepen Disciples at Evangelical Covenant Church)

“In Messy Truth, you will grow in your compassion for and conversation with those in the LGBTQ community. Caleb Kaltenbach is a leader and pastor who fosters relationships without sacrificing conviction, and he will teach you to do the same.” (Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church)

“Once again, Caleb Kaltenbach tackles this difficult subject with superbly  well-balanced grace and truth. His sensitivity and empathy regarding the LGBTQ community is one to be modeled. A must-read for all Christians.” (Becket Cook, author of A Change of Affection)

One of the most helpful books I’ve read

Caleb brings so much clarity to aspects of church leadership, and frankly, to simply being good Christians and people. I particularly loved chapter 5 and the issue of when exactly someone is allowed to “belong”. I highly recommend this book. Even if you are not actively engaged with anyone in the LGBTQ culture, the principles will help in a multitude of areas in your life.

Great perspective and big heart!

I heard about Kaleb’s book, Messy Grace, from a friend and read and really enjoyed it, and thought this book was also really good. It’s more about what loving everyone might look like practically and in a church setting. Very helpful! Thank you, Kaleb, for sharing your life and experience!

Messy but indeed Truth with Grace

The author is correct when he delves into the struggle of truth and grace… really only Jesus reconciled these two concepts together. However, that means we have a wonderful example of how to do this. Caleb does a wonderful job not taking sides but rather expressing how important it is that those who love God express love towards one another in a tactful and prudent manner without the sacrificing their conviction of belief. This a great guide on how to love those you may disagree with on tense topics. Thanks Caleb for attempting to teach us to love well.