Messy Truth

How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction

By: Caleb Kaltenbach

Narrated by: Caleb Kaltenbach

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.

the truth

nothing it is great and very very truthful and has very very very good

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.

can't get enough of Caleb Kaltenbach.

his writing is easy, straight forward and profound. I'm so thankful for his encouragement.

Impactful!

This book has made me rethink my approach to sharing truth, which clearly shows why it must always be paired with grace!

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.