Caleb Kaltenbach – A Catalyst for Conversation (#013)

Caleb is one of those unique human beings who is able to wade into the messy conversations that make so many uneasy with both grace and truth. His work truly is a catalyst for conversation.
Author of the book Messy Grace: How a Pastor With Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction, Caleb has a rare perspective to offer to the conversation and does so with a great deal of honesty and vulnerability.   
Caleb’s is a refreshing voice speaking to an issue that is so often driven by fear, emotion and a lack of empathy. Regardless of where you are at on the spectrum of how the Christian community and LGBQT communities intersect, this is a conversation worth listening to.   
“I think anytime that you or I lead from fear, operate out of fear, I think we end up mistreating other people whether we run away from, mistreat them, whether we are prejudice towards them, whether we turn into people pleasers and just say yes to everything and create chaos around us.  I think that fear causes us to do some horrible things, I think that fear in so many ways is our attempt to control someone or a situation that we have absolutely no control over.” —Caleb Kaltenbach 
Episode Quotes: 

I think anytime that you or I lead from fear, operate out of fear, I think we end up mistreating other people whether we run away from, mistreat them, whether we are prejudice towards them, whether we turn into people pleasers and just say yes to everything and create chaos around us.  I think that fear causes us to do some horrible things, I think that fear in so many ways is our attempt to control someone or a situation that we have absolutely no control over. —Caleb Kaltenbach 
You don’t have to agree with us to be with us. —Caleb Kaltenbach 
As Christians we underestimate how people who are not believers, or are de-churched, how much they base their view of God off of how they are treated by Christians. —Caleb Kaltenbach 
Love is based on acceptance not agreement. —Caleb Kaltenbach 

Guest Bio: 
Caleb Kaltenbach is a pastor and author of God of Tomorrow: How to Overcome the Fears of Today and Renew Your Hope for the Future (releasing May 2018). His first book was Messy Grace: How a Pastor With Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction. In Messy Grace Caleb discusses his experience of being raised in the LGBT community, trusting Christ, and helping others to understand that loving others doesn’t require a shift in our biblical beliefs. He’s a graduate of Ozark Christian College, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), and received his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. Caleb and his wife Amy reside in Southern California with their two children. 
Mentioned In This Episode: 

Caleb Kaltenbach
Caleb’s Book Messy Grace 
Caleb’s Brand New Book God of Tomorrow 
Reggie Joiner – Orange Leaders 
Stephen Covey Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  (“Seek first to understand, then be understood.” )
Andy Stanley – “…more interested in making a difference then making a point.” 
Book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend: Boundaries