It is also very clear from the above-quoted scriptures that, not only have the elders/pastors/overseers been given the spiritual oversight of the church, they also have been given the governmental authority. Quite simply, the elders/pastors/overseers are in charge, and the members of the churches should submit to them:
Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account (Heb. 13:17).
Of course, no Christian should submit to a pastor who is not submitted to God, but he should also recognize that no pastor is perfect.
The pastors/elders/overseers have authority over their churches just as a father has authority over his family:
An overseer [pastor/elder] must be above reproach….He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God? ) (1 Tim. 3:2-5, emphasis added).
Paul went on to say,
Let the elders [pastors/overseers] who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 5:17, emphasis added).
Clearly, elders are to govern the church.
