Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. — HEBREWS 13:17
Hebrews 13:17 instructs believers both to obey and to submit to their leaders. This submission speaks of entrusting ourselves into their care. Why?
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One of the leaders in a church here resigned because the members mistreated him in various ways. It was a tragedy to see such a lack of submission within the body of Christ. We need to remember that local church leadership is ordained by God’s Spirit (Acts 20:28). If we are to be spiritual people, we should submit to God’s ordained leaders. These leaders serve the church on behalf of Christ.
Hebrews 13:17 instructs believers both to obey and to submit to their leaders. This submission speaks of entrusting ourselves into their care. Why? For they watch over our souls, and they will give an account to God.
We should, therefore, treat them well and support the job they do, allowing them room to do their work with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to us. Rather than cause difficulty for leadership, the church ought to help its leaders do their work with satisfaction and delight (1 Thess. 5:12–13).
As a church leader myself, I have experienced the blessing of a good flock. A congregation that follows the biblical mandate of Hebrews 13:17 brings joy to a pastor, but a congregation that refuses is a cause of much grief. It is difficult enough to lead without disobedience and defiance within the church. May each of us consider carefully whether or not we tend to bring joy or grief to our pastors, and let us seek to do what is most profitable for the body of Christ.