Articles for tag: Caleb Kaltenbach

May 30, 2018

Christian Standard

New ‘Hunger Games’ VBS Theme Fails Miserably

By Caleb Kaltenbach ASHLAND, MN—Back in January, the family ministry team of First Christian Church gathered to discuss possible VBS themes before finally settling on The Hunger Games. “It seemed like a good idea,” said student pastor Francis Jenson. “I like the Hunger Games  movies, and kids play a significant role in the films. It seemed perfect.” That first night, parents dropped off their kids in the church’s sanctuary. Many parents left immediately, but some paused as the lights dimmed and a sense of foreboding took over.  “They had fake trees all over the room,” reported Andrea Lansberry, mother of

May 23, 2018

Christian Standard

The Lead Pastor: XP Edition Pairs a Lead Pastor with an Executive Pastor

By Caleb Kaltenbach MALIBU, CA—Pastor Paul Porgman needed an executive pastor, so he went on The Lead Pastor: XP Edition. The show is patterned after the hit series The Bachelor, which features a single man who spends weeks with many attractive women until he chooses his future wife. In The Lead Pastor: XP Edition, Porgman spent weeks with many unattractive, out-of-shape, type A personality men until he chose one to be his executive pastor. “It was . . . bizarre,” Porgman said. “We never got in a hot tub, but I walked on the beach with each one of them. I also had to take them out

May 3, 2018

Christian Standard

Church Member Recovering after Pastor Throws Captain America Shield into the Congregation

By Caleb Kaltenbach DALLAS—“I’m not sure what happened,” said pastor Billy Yates. “I guess I just got too excited.” Yates was visibly shaken, head downcast, rubbing at the temples of his mask, after ill-advisedly hurling a Captain America shield into a crowd of people attending Open Door Church’s 11 a.m. worship service. In an effort to connect with culture, the staff of Open Door Church plotted out an Avengers sermon series. This past Sunday, Yates preached in a spandex Captain America costume while throwing his shield up and down. Eventually, as Yates grew bolder, he sailed the metal shield into

April 21, 2018

Christian Standard

Pastors Include Drive-Bys in Weekend Attendance Figures

By Caleb Kaltenbach PARKER, CO—Independent Christian church pastors were thrilled to learn they can now count people who drive past their church during a service as part of their weekend attendance. The decision—part of an effort to boost numbers—was made at a meeting of the NACC Board of Stewards and other leaders. The decision included two stipulations: (1) Those driving by may be counted only during the first 30 minutes of the service, and (2) If not everyone in the passing vehicle can be counted, the vehicle counts as only 1 person. Many excited ministers have already acted on the

December 23, 2017

Christian Standard

What Can I Give Him?

This Christmas essay originally appeared in the December 18/25, 2011, issue of Christian Standard. ___ By Caleb Kaltenbach Every Christmas I struggle with the same thing: what in the world do I give my wife? Do I get her shoes, clothes, jewelry, a massage, or what? Maybe this is a better question: what gift will I give Jesus this season? In Luke 1, we see the birth of a child who would be a gift to Jesus. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his

August 21, 2016

Christian Standard

The Best Sermon I”ve Ever Heard (14)

By Arron Chambers Christian leaders, some of them preachers themselves, tell us about a sermon they can”t forget””and maybe you won”t either. Dane Voorhees Dane Voorhees is a graduate of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. He has been serving as a worship pastor at Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Frederick, Colorado, for the past two years and recently married his beautiful wife, Shelby. He is passionate about leading people to worship Jesus in everything they do. Dane”s Best Sermon: Caleb Kaltenbach, lead pastor at Discovery Church in Simi Valley, California, and author of the book Messy Grace, preached the

August 16, 2016

Mark A. Taylor

Writers You Know

By Mark A. Taylor Here”s one more indication that Christian churches and their leaders are having an impact on America: many today are sought-after book authors. I remember a conversation with a Standard Publishing salesman two or three decades ago who said this would never happen. Christian church preachers and professors just would not be accepted in the general Evangelical world, he explained. I don”t remember all his reasons, but I thought of him when I skimmed through the latest edition of a little catalog called Pastor Resources. The 62-page digest-size booklet contains ads for everything from Christian camps to

July 14, 2015

Mark A. Taylor

Claiming the Right Identity

By Mark A. Taylor It is easy, too easy for me to make my identity all about me. Can you relate? For example, many of us take identity from our family relationships. (Whose son are you? Which child is yours?) Or we boost identity with what we can afford to buy or experience. (Is this your new car? You live in that neighborhood? Your cruise lasted how long?) We claim identity from the title behind our names. (Instructor or professor or dean? Manager or director or vice president?) But when life changes””and life always changes””when the job ends or the

July 6, 2015

Christian Standard

All God”s Children: Loving Our LGBTQ Friends As We Love Ourselves

By Sean Palmer I love gay people. For many, it”s surprising to hear a Christian minister say that””especially an Evangelical minister from a fundamentalist background and with fundamentalist theological training””but I do love them. I really can”t help it. And I don”t love people because I”m a saint. I love them because I know so many by name. I know Jesus asks me to love everyone, but I must be honest; I have trouble loving people I don”t know. A plane crashes in Asia, and I”m saddened for the families of the dead, but I don”t grieve. I don”t love

June 30, 2015

Mark A. Taylor

The Time to Refine Our Focus

By Mark A. Taylor The Internet is buzzing with reactions to last week”s Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage. Advocates are adding the #LoveWins hashtag to every tweet, and Christian leaders are urging the church not to be discouraged in the face of what many view as a terrible loss. Amid all the chatter, Caleb Kaltenbach”s perspective offers a voice as refreshing as it is calm. “Some say this is the defining issue of the day,” he said when I interviewed him last week at the North American Christian Convention. “But I believe the church is getting it wrong.” We

June 29, 2015

Mark A. Taylor

A 2015 Conversation with Caleb Kaltenbach

Mark Taylor interviewed Caleb Kaltenbach at the 2015 NACC in Cincinnati. Hear Caleb talk about his new book, Messy Grace, and give his answers to “Will your church baptize a homosexual?” “Is the gay issue the biggest issue facing the church today?” and “How do we maintain our theological convictions while still loving the practicing homosexual?”  

February 20, 2015

Christian Standard

PROPEL (Previewing the 2015 NACC)

By Caleb Kaltenbach Maybe you”ve gone to many leadership ministry conferences, and maybe many of them seem like the same conference experience over and over again. You walk away with a lot of good information, but wish there had been the opportunity to ask questions, get feedback, or discuss a speaker”s point a little deeper. What if you could have a more personal experience with seasoned ministry leaders? Now”s your chance! The 2015 NACC”s preconference event, “PROPEL,” will be unlike any such event you have ever attended. “PROPEL” is a one-day conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June

July 23, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

A Conversation with Caleb Kaltenbach

  Caleb Kaltenbach grew up as an agnostic with two homosexual parents. Now the lead pastor with Discovery Church in Simi, California, he challenged North American Christian Convention attendees to “Preach the Truth in Love.” Hear his thoughts about how to balance grace and truth, especially with homosexuals, in this exclusive interview here.

July 8, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Caleb Kaltenbach

CALEB KALTENBACH Dallas, Texas Caleb Kaltenbach shares attributes with many of his fine young peers from across the country: strong preaching and teaching skills, motivational leadership, focused energy, and gentle humility. As to his unique influence, I believe there are two items. First, Caleb has a distinctive and well-thought-out philosophy for biblical education and ministry preparation. He has made a strong commitment to living this out through teaching ministry courses to college students and making use of ministry interns a high priority. As a board member for Dallas Christian College, he brings a high level of constructive engagement relating to the spiritual

October 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Many Resources””Use Them Well!: Resources for Bible Teaching (Part 4)

By Caleb Kaltenbach My favorite tool for sermon writing is Logos Bible Software. As far as the exegesis of a sermon, nothing can beat it. Logos works quickly and has multiple resources within the program. Not only that, you can download the program onto your smartphone, enabling you to access Logos no matter where you are. A couple of years ago I joined PreachingToday.com. Some of the best illustrations I”ve used (that aren”t personal) come from this great website. It costs a little each month, but it is worth it. Type in your passage and you”ll find many illustrations to choose from.

July 28, 2012

Christian Standard

Church “˜Blessing Teen Parents” from Area Schools

By Jennifer Taylor When Caleb Kaltenbach became the senior pastor at Valley View Christian Church (Dallas, TX), he challenged members to get more involved in local outreach. “My wife, Marla, and I led a life group and began discussing what we could do,” says John Latvatalo, an elder at Valley View. “My daughter, who is a teacher, told us about a teen mom who was struggling to stay in school. We wanted to help but didn”t know where to start.” The couple contacted the school district”s parenting program, planning simply to give money. “But the school told us these girls

May 23, 2012

Christian Standard

A Church Anyone Can Come To

By Kent E. Fillinger What does it mean to be a church anyone can come to? This question drives Caleb Kaltenbach and Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. Kaltenbach fully understands it is messy to reach people who would make most Christians feel uncomfortable. When Kaltenbach arrived at Valley View two years ago, it was a predominantly white, fairly traditional, established church that had experienced its share of ups and downs. In short, it was like many other churches across the country. Now Valley View is the place of worship for homosexual couples who walk through the church lobby

June 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 3, 2011: God Responds to Disobedience (Joshua 7:1, 10-12, 22-26)

Be a better parent. Overcome an un-Christian culture. Understand the Bible Read The Lookout! 16 pages of help and hope every week! Here’s how. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 3) is written by Caleb Kaltenbach, senior minister with Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. ____________ God Responds to Disobedience (Joshua 7:1, 10-12, 22-26) By Caleb Kaltenbach Some subjects make us squirm in our seats. Disobedience is one of them . . . mainly because we all can identify with it. We disobey the speed laws, our parents, our employers, etc. As a

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