Church leadership is not a role to be taken lightly. The Bible warns that teachers and those in spiritual authority will be “judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). Yet God places spiritual leaders in authority over His church to take care of us, similar to how a shepherd takes care of his sheep. Church shepherds are called to lead, teach, equip, and build up the church. 

Likewise, we are called to respect, obey, and honor our leaders. Read these verses to see how the Bible calls pastors and elders to lead and the church to respond to their authority. 

All verses are cited from the New Living Translation (NLT). 

Jeremiah 3:15

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” 

Matthew 28:18-20 

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” 

Acts 20:28 

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.” 

Romans 12:6-8 

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” 

Ephesians 4:11-13 

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.” 

1 Timothy 3:1-2 

“This is a trustworthy saying: ‘If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.’ So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.” 

Hebrews 13:17 

“Obey 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 with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” 

James 3:1 

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.” 

1 Peter 5:2-4 

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” 

A team of over 100 leading biblical scholars meticulously translated the best Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into the contemporary English of the New Living Translation (NLT), blending the highest accuracy with exceptional clarity. The result is the accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable Bible translation that you can trust and easily apply to your life. Learn more on the official NLT website: NewLivingTranslation.com.