Messy Truth: How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction
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+.
I believe there’s a more helpful question:
What am I willing to do to keep and build influence with ______________?
Our love for others is best measured by the lengths we’ll go to help them. As a child raised by three activist gay parents, I've experienced firsthand the outrage of some Christians. That’s why I'm committed to creating a sense of belonging for all people.
People find and follow Jesus better in community than in isolation.
True community only happens 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.
“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
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“Like a handmade tapestry, Messy Truth masterfully weaves together truth and love across the fabric of its pages. Whether you’re leading an entire congregation or the kids at home, this is just the tool you need to navigate the world we’re in.”
—Ricky Jenkins, senior pastor of WellSpring Church
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“Caleb teaches us the art of seeing people— people whom Jesus loves. In Messy Truth, we are given the tools to have healing and life-giving conversations that ultimately foster community and belonging for all people.”
—Adrianna Cervantes, youth manager at Shepherd Church
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“Once again, Caleb Kaltenbach tackles this difficult subject with superbly well-balanced grace and truth. His sensitivity and empathy regarding the LGBTQ community are ones to be modeled. A must-read for all Christians.”
—Becket Cook, author of A Change of Affection
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“Very few people these days combine convictions about God’s Word with the ability to unleash compassion for everyone. Likewise, very few people these days are calling the church to full commitment to truth and full commitment to grace. That’s the lesson in this book.”
—Ray Johnston, senior pastor of Bayside Church and founder of Thrive
“I was drawn in by Caleb’s winsome approach through the entire book and found myself wanting to talk about it with others. Gather your leadership team and dig into this book together!”
—Rich Birch, author of Church Growth Flywheel and host of unSeminary Podcast
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“Messy Truth is a timely wake-up call for the church. It offers a road map for staying faithful to Scripture and being empathetic and gracious toward people in the LGBTQ community and beyond.”
—Sean McDowell, PhD, author and associate professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
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“This book demonstrates why redemptive community is essential in helping others follow Jesus, and Caleb provides a biblical framework along with practical steps to reach people different from ourselves.”
—Ruth Malhotra, strategic partnerships manager, Blue Trust (Alpharetta, GA)
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“In Messy Truth, you’ll learn how to best point your LGBTQ friends to Jesus and help them connect in Christ-centered communities.”
—Jarrett Stephens, senior pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church
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“Many books discuss research and theories about loving people, but this book models how we can relentlessly love people and meet them where they’re at so we can guide them to Jesus.”
—Efrem Smith, co–senior pastor of Midtown Covenant Church
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“Messy Truth provides a most practical guide— through stories, conversations, and tips for church leaders and Christians to show mercy over judgment.”
—DJ Chuang, author of MultiAsian.Church
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“This book is filled with real-life, lived, and wrestled-down wisdom. Allow Caleb to be your guide to help you discern God’s truth, grow in compassion, and be able to have a conversation with anyone.”
—Daniel Im, lead pastor at Beulah Alliance Church, podcaster, and author
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“Caleb Kaltenbach is uniquely qualified to lead this challenging conversation around engaging LGBTQ individuals in authentic community within the church. In Messy Truth, he guides us with both biblically sound theology and compassionate real-world examples to a model that reflects both the love and justice of God’s truth.”
—Geoff S. Surratt, pastor and founder of MarriageTogether
Available in paperback, Kindle, e-book, audiobook, Audible, and at the following stores (or wherever books are sold):
