I wonder what exactly that is and what it means for the 21st Century evangelical church?

Ostensibly, "authority" is what gives our pastors the right to get up in front of 3,000 people on Sunday mornings and deliver messages from the word. That's encouraging because I see the love of God and the character of JESUS in each and every one of our leaders.

I'm still, though, pondering what the idea of authority means (beyond it's Sunday morning context) and how it should impact daily life.

I was honored to receive an email from Nate Bobbett, who's the Antioch pastor who delivered the message I referred to below.

Nate had a few explanatory comments on the message he preached, and Antioch's position on the Lord's Supper:

Antioch officially stands on a doctrinal continuum somewhere between Calvin and Luther – when it comes to The Lord’s supper. We believe there is power and there is presence. But officially, we would say that there is not actually Jesus’ body in the elements. ...

And personally I am comfortable with believers taking different stands on this issue. Of greater importance is that we come together with reverence, and that we come together often around the Lord’s table, recognizing his great power and presence in this sacrament!

I think we're all growing and mindful of the fact that even if it's not the literal body and blood, it certainly is a holy sacrament -- and an incredible honor.