Since those pastors and elders both labour among you, but also rule over you for your spiritual well-being, your immortal soul, you should render a submission properly to that authority. And so, since they rule, the members should follow and submit to rightful authority. Now, sometimes that will mean cheerfully submitting to decisions that are not fully understood, but which involve the elders’ spiritual judgment according to the Scriptures. Now undoubtedly, there are cases—there are churches—where the elders are acting unbiblically, in a worldly way, maybe even abusively, in which case concerns should be taken to their overseers, presuming that they have them. Biblical church government is not just the shepherds over the sheep, but the shepherds have those who are ruling over them as well. Sometimes it will be necessary even for Christians to separate from a church due to unbiblical priorities or untrustworthy leadership. It is very lamentable, but it is sometimes necessary. But it should be our norm and our attitude, as Christ’s people, to respond submissively to the authority placed over us by Christ—as those leaders are obeying his Word.1
Richard D. Phillips
12 Nous vous prions, frères, d'avoir de la considération pour ceux qui travaillent parmi vous, qui vous dirigent dans le Seigneur, et qui vous exhortent.