How should I relate and respond to elders and leaders in my church?

Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

We can trust and follow our church leaders because, ultimately, they are accountable to God, who calls them to love and care for his people with gentleness, patience, and respect. This work is heavy, so we can relate to our leaders similarly so that caring for God’s people is a joy, not a burden.

1 Peter 5:5You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Often church elders and leaders will be older because of their life experience and spiritual maturity. Regardless of age, members should “accept the authority of the elders” with humility.

1 Timothy 5:17-20Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

Teaching elders and pastors should be treated well and compensated for their work. Accusations against elders brought by multiple witnesses should be taken seriously. Elders who are credibly found to have sinned should repent and bear just consequences for their wrongdoing.