Books

Messy Grace: How a Pastor With Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction

***A 2016 Christian Book Award finalist

Sometimes, grace gets messy... Raised by LGBTQ parents, as a child Caleb marched in pride parades and experienced the hatred and bitterness of some Christians toward his family. Then Caleb surprised everyone, including himself, by becoming a Christian…and a pastor. Caleb had to face his reality with courage and grace.

Messy Grace shows us that Jesus’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” doesn’t have an exception clause for an LGBTQ “neighbor”—or any other “neighbor” we might find it hard to relate to. Jesus was able to love anyone and hold on to his beliefs. So can you. Even when it’s messy.

Available in paperback, Kindle, Audiobook, Audible and at the following stores:

Praise for Messy Grace

“Some authors have inspirational stories to tell while others have insightful points to make, what makes Caleb’s writing so powerful is that God has given him both.”

—Kyle Idleman, Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY & Author of Not a Fan

"Caleb Kaltenbach cuts through the confusion and talks about what it really means to love people and what is really means to follow God—and how they’re not mutually exclusive ideas. The answer the world is looking for is messy and it’s full of grace.”

—Reggie Joiner, CEO and Founder of Orange

"Messy Grace was a deeply encouraging, inspiring, and convicting read. It not only offers practical advice but fosters a sense of compassion and empathy that the church has often lacked toward the LGBTQ community."

—Jackie Hill Perry, Author of Gay Girl, Good God

“Caleb Kaltenbach has an important message for everyone who shares a commitment to both grace and truth.”

—Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family

"The narrative in Messy Grace is strong and compelling. It’s an easy read, and the writing is clear, funny, and profound. Readers will learn how to stand in the tension of truth and grace as they identify with Caleb through all the messiness, tears, victory, and sin."

—Rosaria Butterfield, Author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert

“Messy Grace shows how grace can enter into the mess of life and draw people to God’s love and goodness of God.”

—Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary

“Messy Grace is pure truth spoken in love and will help you relate to every person in a way that pleases God.”

—Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church

“I appreciate how Caleb has personally walked in the midst of this issue. He does a good job balancing compassion with LGBTQ Individuals and the church’s response.”

—Chap Clark, Lead Pastor of St Andrews Presbyterian Church (Newport Beach, CA) & former Professor of Youth, Family & Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary

“I loved Messy Grace! These pages are filled with humility, compassion, and powerful insights as Caleb’s story profoundly demonstrates that grace is both messy and beautiful.”

—Mike Foster, People of the Second Chance

"Messy Grace is a sound introduction to matters related to homosexuality and the LGBT community. Kaltenbach manages to walk the line of grace and truth, to communicate both love for people and respect for the Word of God."

—Tim Challies, Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church Toronto, Blogger & Author of Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God

“Whether you are straight or part of the LGBT community, a Christian or not a follower of Jesus, it will benefit you to read this book. Prepare to be challenged. Prepare to repent. Prepare to be changed. It will transform the way you look at and treat others. I couldn’t put it down.”
—Daniel Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary